This coming Saturday my wife and kids will be spending the entire day with several members of her extended family celebrating the 24th in various ways. So far, we've had a pretty nice summer as a family, spending a bit of time together doing some fun things.
I'm going to use this Saturday, however, as an excuse to get in some "me" time. Due to time and money constraints, I've not ventured far from Utah County in awhile, except for the trek I took to Pelican Lake in June.
I've fished Utah Lake, Provo River, and Salem Pond some, but I would like to possibly escape the heat a little this Saturday and venture someplace cooler.
It's a "have boat will travel" kind of a thing. I have my small aluminum 14-foot boat that I'd like to take to some smaller high-elevation lake and hopefully catch some decent-sized trout. Thus, I ask for your help.
Fuzzyfisher, you may be able to help here, if you're willing. Does Electric Lake allow boating? Is there a place to launch a small boat at E Lake? I'm thinking a friend and I may venture to E Lake and try fishing for the local trout with minnows, since you appear to have a lot of success doing so.
One question: Do you use a floater on your leader near the minnow like you do for walleye when you fish with minnows at E Lake, or do you use a standard sliding sinker, swivel, leader, and hook and let the minnow rest on the bottom?
Also, the High Uintas has some appeal for this Saturday. I'm familiar with many of the lakes that may be accessed from the road up from Kamas, but I've never taken a boat to the Uintas. I won't have a motor on the boat, just oars, so do any of you know of any good lakes that allow a small row boat?
Once again, a friend and I are just hoping to explore some new waters and hopefully get into some decent trout, since I've had my fill of catfish and other warm-water species for the time being.
Many thanks for your help in advance.
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E-lake does allow boating and you should be able to launch your boat with no problems. You will need to access it from the Scofield side (not the dam side).
I have caught fish with minnow at E-lake using both methods. Try both and see what is most effective.
Remember to bring the minnow trap along to replenish your supply.
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Often, a better approach with minnows, especially from a boat, is to fish them totally weightless, cash them out and just let them drift down. If you don't get a bite before it finishes sinking, reel in a few feet and let it sit for a few moments, and keep repeating this process.
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Thanks for the replies thus far. What about Huntington? I don't believe I've ever fished there before, but I am very familiar with Fairview Canyon. Is fishing with minnows a good bet there, too?
Also, what about fishing the river that flows into E Lake with a fly rod? Anyone ever tried this?
Fairview Canyon is looking like the intended destination at this point, but I'm still considering the High Uintas. Again, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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If you want to soak a fly try fishing the river that comes out of E-lake. It has some great fishing and the top section is artifical only and has a slot limit if I remember correctly.
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[cool]SHHHHHH!! Don't give anybody else ideas, PrinceFisher! The wife's family is going on their usual Pioneer Day camping trip up to their property near the top of Fairview Canyon, and I want those two lakes ALL TO MY SELF...MINE MINE MINE!!!!!
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Huntington does allow boats on it but the launching can be pretty tricky if you are by yourself.Also the river that flows into e-lake comes from boulger pond.Thats how the rainbows get into e-lake. At e-lake i usually catch the bigger cutts deeper by the dam side using a red and white spoon.Usually they can be up to 19 inches sometimes.
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Okay, O4T, I'll keep things a secret once I decide where to go. I'm hoping a lot of folks will be down in the valley celebrating and will leave the fishing to us diehards, but usually these kinds of ideas are shortlived.
What usually happens is once I make it to my intended destination, I have to fish elbow-to-elbow with others who are seeking seclusion as well.
Regarding where I've been, I recently invited TubeDude to join me at Salem Pond for a little community pond catfishin'. We both did well, me with bait and he with his trusty homemade sparkle jigs.
He snapped a few pics and gave me the option of sharing, so share I will.
The first is of me and my buddy, Les. I'm the, ahem, rather large pale face wearing the Nike shirt.
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The second pic is of Mr. Dude's hand holding one of his catches with one of his creations in its mouth.
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[cool]Cool pics. Thanks for sharing! How many did you guys catch that day?
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Quite a few. If a person finds the right spot, Salem Puddle can be a decent spot for a quick getaway.
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ok first E-lake.. e-lake is open to any and all boats as long as you can get it in the water..the lake is going down again abour 6" a day now so the hole in the bottom still might be there.. darn it!! i was there 2 days ago and fish was great the cutt's have some size to them ave about 1 1/2 to 2 lbs with some in the 3 lbs class.. if you have a boat i would try trolling a rapala in trout colors or white and black..flatfish in silver or white and red work realy good as well.. but the best thing i have found there is a #3 colorado spiner with a minnow about 18" behind it..rig it like a popgear and worm but use a minnow insted.. if you want to bait fish with the minnows then i would first try a 1/4 oz jig and put a minnow on and drop it to the bottom and drift it about a foot or two up off the bottom.. there is alot of snages on the bottom right now becaus the water has came up so much this year that all the brush and grass that was there last year is still there on the bottom... try shalow and deep to find out where the fish are hanging out..some times thay move in to feed if you see the shiners start going nut's by the shour then throw in near where you seen them and you will get hit every time!!!
huntington can be great this time of year from a boat.. if you drive down by the dam you can get the boat in very easy only about 5 to 10 feet from the lake. trolling with zipfish or flatfish in silver or white with red spots can be deadly on them tigers.. alot of guy's are useing popgear and worm and getting some as well but i hate pulling that stuff if i dont have to.. the flatfish will keep you busy on fish all day anyway..
good luck to ya up there..
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Thanks for all the tips on fishing Electric Lake. It looks like that's where I'll be headed if I can get away this Saturday.
Hey, O4T, I'll be in that same aluminum boat that's in the pic, so if you see me up there, say howdy, and I'll do the same.
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Now I'm mad! You invite TD to go to Salem Pond with you. You drive right past my house and fish MY waters without inviting me?
Do you know where I think you should go on saturday? To my house to help me get the yard done so I can go fishing again. [mad]
Just kidding.
Matt.
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[cool]O.k. Sounds great! See ya up there and have fun!
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Okay, Matt, I'm officially inviting you. I know of two or three pretty good spots on Salem Puddle for the kitty fish and for even a few largies, so I'm willing to go whenever you are.
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