Similar to the Provo, the Weber River is also a three-section river with headwaters that start in the Uinta, Wasatch, and Cache National Forests. All of the sections have a good amount of public access mixed with some private water. The Weber is home to rainbows, browns and cutthroat trout, in addition to whitefish, brookies and even graylings near the headwaters.
Weber River | Oakley, UT
The upper Weber River, from the Rockport Reservoir to the headwaters, features some fantastic fly fishing. While there is a fair amount of private land until you get into the national forests, there are some great public access areas as well. This section of the Weber River is outstanding, especially post runoff, and you can find great fishing all summer and into fall. Fishing immediately upstream from the Rockport Reservoir in the pre-spring runoff often yields spawning rainbows. In the fall that same section is known for spawning browns which produce bigger than average fish.
Post-runoff; upstream from Rockport reservoir pre-runoff for spawning rainbows and fall for spawning brown trout
Caddis, stone flies, mayflies, Flav, BWO, PMD, Yellow Sallies, and a lot of terrestrials
Parachute Adams, stimulators, elk hair caddis, small cicadas, hoppers, chubby Chernobyls, and just about anything else that floats
The middle Weber River flows from the Rockport Reservoir downstream to the Echo Reservoir in Coalville and includes a mix of private and public access. This is a great tailwater and produces some big brown trout with an occasional cutthroat and rainbow. Year-round fishing on this section of the Weber is the norm. Similar to other rivers in the state, pre and post runoff are the best times to fish this section. This is not the best river to fish dry flies, but there are times when dries work great. A favorite hatch is the Mother’s Day caddis hatch. Another time when dries work well are late evening and warm overcast winter days when midges are prolific. Flows can remain high, even during summer months, to provide water and irrigation downstream. Fall will see the rivers’ flow reduced, to begin filling the reservoirs, so wading becomes easier and brown trout are pre-spawn and colored up like no other time of the year. During the winter the trout key in on the scud and small midges. Streamers are always a good bet when fishing this section (or any section) of the Weber.
Pre- and post-runoff
Caddis around Mother’s Day, BWO and midges, but this river tends to fish best with nymphs
Scud, prince nymph, Ray Charles, PMD nymphs, small midges and streamers
Downstream from Echo Reservoir, the lower Weber River flows through some beautiful country before reaching the last fresh water reservoir, Willard Bay, and then finally ending up in the Great Salt Lake. The Lower Weber flows along I-84 past Henefer and Morgan, making fishing and wading difficult in the narrow canyon area. Nonetheless, the adventurous fly fisher will find plenty of challenges with the reward of quality fish. There is a lot of pocket water on the lower Weber and a few small rapids that will see some kayak use. Coming out of the canyon into Ogden, the river slows but continues to produce some good fishing. Red San Juan worms and wooly buggers work well here. During the winter when the water levels are low and slow it is best to switch to small midges and mayflies to keep catching fish. Being a tail water, this section fishes great year round. Early spring on the lower Weber River is a wonderful time to explore this area. Another favorite time to fish here is during June and July, when other areas are crowded.
March and April; early morning or dusk in the summer months
Stones, midge, caddis and mayflies
Mayfly nymphs, mother shucker, sprout BWO, glass bead nymphs, and sow bugs
