Fishing Forum

I'm a member of several hiking, bicycling, off-roading and stand up paddleboard groups for social outdoor recreation and fitness fun. One of the groups had discussion starting with:

"Is anyone doing any hikes to view fireworks? Are there any great spots to view more than one show?"

This group has also done stand up paddle boarding at East Canyon Reservoir one summer afternoon with a picnic. I went to try the different rental stand up paddleboards to see which I like best since I was considering purchasing one for fishing. I have a fly-fishing pontoon boat, but started shore fishing on windy days. I actually enjoy the exercise of fighting the wind and I'm quite athletic, but noticed I spent too much time rowing and too little time fishing.

I've been enjoying shore fishing and make it plenty athletic by covering a lot of shore, but I've been thinking a stand up paddle board would have a very low profile and not catch as much wind and might be good for fishing.

Perhaps that part might be of interest for discussion here, but I also post here to ask about fireworks watching.

I've watched fireworks while fishing many years ago, but I don't remember where. Among our large membership here, someone might know a best place.

I'm thinking since fireworks are late at night, we should make it also an optional camping the night. We could also combine it with optional hikes, stand up paddle boarding and shore fishing with me getting others introduced to fishing with my plenty of extra fishing equipment. If some decide to combine it with camping, I'm thinking I might catch and cook fish for the group.

A few days passed with this as the last comment: "I asked a guy at REI what he thought about Ensign Peak. He said it is usually as bad as Olympus. If I find a decent spot I will suggest it."

I suppose none in that group know a best spot for fishing with fireworks viewing since no one posted a locaton suggestion, so I thought to ask here in Big Fish Tackle. Where are your favorite spots to watch fireworks while fishing?

If there is no great location for both fishing and fireworks, then combining hiking and fireworks is also an option.
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Hey Ron, I don't know if it would be possible this year with the low water and algae issues, and not sure what the cities do when. But several years ago a coworker and I launched out of Lindon Boat Harbor about 8 P.M. on the day that several cities in the north area of Utah Lake were doing there Pioneer Day fireworks.
We sat out in the middle of the north portion of the lake and had unobstructed views of at least 3 fireworks shows (American Fork, Lindon, and some place way off to the west) and we fished. Didn't catch anything, but saw great fireworks shows with no crowds,

Maybe an unneeded word of warning...........take lots of mosquito spray, head nets, and maybe full body mosquito nets.[]
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My wife and I did it a couple of times up to deer creek. We walleye fished and watched fireworks over Charleston. It was some good times.
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Just keep in mind that fireworks of any sort are illegal in any forest areas, to include campgrounds and fields.
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[quote Tin-Can]Hey Ron, … full body mosquito nets.[][/quote]

Thanks, Tin-Can!

We won't be boating -- just shore fishing at the most (hiking is most popular with this group), but good to know for future fireworks watching with fishing.

Ronald

[quote fish_hntr]Just keep in mind that fireworks of any sort are illegal in any forest areas, to include campgrounds and fields.[/quote]

Thank-you, fish_hntr!

I believe everyone of this group are of the leave no trace sort. We won't have any fireworks. Instead, we would like to find a good vantage point to watch municipal fireworks displays that also includes hiking trails. My suggestion to them has been to add (shore) fishing, if there will be camping since watching fireworks is a late night activity.

If it happens that the logistics of all three can come together with a suggestion of a good vantage point, then I will pass along the suggestion from the fine people here at Big Fish Tackle.

I'm thinking a high altitude vantage point even if the fireworks are in the distance would be best for cooler air and less of those pesky mosquitos and not take chances with the algae toxins turning us into Zombies.

Ronald

[quote utwalleye]
My wife and I did it a couple of times up to deer creek. We walleye fished and watched fireworks over Charleston. It was some good times.[/quote]

Thank-You, utwalleye!

What part of the shore of Deer Creek would be best for watching the fireworks? Is there camping? Any free camping in the area (since this group travels lite)?

We're athletic hikers, so a trail to a higher vantage point is certainly a possibility should anyone here already know where there will be a best view.

Ronald

Hey Ron had the same ideas when I was younger and we tried the high elevation viewing locations, but ended up from the top of Willard Peak all the fireworks were extremely small although you could see tons of different shows all going on at the same time, none were very spectacular and it was a long ride home that night, seems like I was in trouble for breaking the curfew.... But have fun with it.... I heard they have a great show over the water at flaming gorge for the forth.... Later J
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Thanks, SkunkedAgain!

I've been enjoying Flaming Gorge a lot for a few years because a friend has a house and a boat there. It's beautiful and I catch big fish! What town or location has the fireworks to be seen from the water?

There's probabaly good hiking trails for that hiking group. I've been looking at trails from the water and wanting to drive them for shore fishing and camping, but haven't done it yet.

Ronald
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A good place to view the Stadium of Fire show is from the overlook on Squaw Peak. The whole valley is spread out before you and makes a lovely sight even without fireworks.
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[quote catchinon]A good place to view the Stadium of Fire show is from the overlook on Squaw Peak. The whole valley is spread out before you and makes a lovely sight even without fireworks.[/quote]

Thanks, catchinon!

I'll post that to the hiking group as soon as I can learn some more. Perhaps some will also know the area and can match it up with a good hike for the group and any possible camping?

I just tried "Squaw Peak overlook" in maps and don't get anything in Utah. Anyone have a link with a valid location?

With a search for the event, I did find LaVell Edwards Stadium between Orem and Provo and I see mountains to the east. Anyone have a good link to mountain trails -- especially if we can identify the right overlook? I'm new at this.

Does anyone know if there's fishing and camping near that?

Ronald

They shoot fireworks off at Flaming Gorge in the town of Dutch John for the 4th of July (actually on July 7th this year) and also at Lucerne Marina on Labor Day weekend. I'm doubtful you can see the Dutch John fireworks from the water, but you could definitely see the Labor Day fireworks from the water at Lucerne. They also do a parade of lights (boats) at Lucerne prior to the fireworks.

Good luck, Ryno
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Ron, I'll pm you with details.
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Ron the fireworks are at Lucerne so just out of Manilla. Or Dutch John on the 7th. They have a Freedom Festival down there. So several spots to try. Have fun. J
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I've had luck seeing the ones in Logan while sitting out on Cutler catfishing
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Thanks, DjHill16, SkunkedAgain and catchinon!

I've given this information to the hiking Meetup orginizer and volunteered to look at the location in advance, so I hope it results in a hike being orginized. There was interest in the discussions, but now it's a last minute event to put together yet still possible. If they aren't going as a group, I'll probably go on a fireworks sighting adventure.
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