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Full Version: Moving to Utah(Big Game Fish?)
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Hello everyone im moving to the lovely state of Utah in june. i have already started get fly fishing gear together but have a question about large fish in the state.
I have gear for fishing from 30" reds up to 6 foot bull sharks and was wondering if there would be any point in bringing my saltwater tackle to Utah. I do enjoy relaxing and catching smaller fish but a fight that last 30 minutes can be a blast too. Any good Pike fishing?
thanks,
Joe
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What part of the state are you moving to?
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Park City
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Bring one or two set ups and go chase sturgeon up in Idaho that is two or three hours away for some really big fish.

Not many six foot fish in this state.

Welcome and hope you have some good fishing.
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thanks, i think i might bring one of my lighter rigs it can probably handle up to about 50 lbs fish if i wear them out. and maybe later on i have had my eye on a Penn fathom for awhile now so maybe a lighter one and try some sturgeon fishing later down the road. I think ill have my hands full learning to fly fish. im pretty excited about it.
I want to get a couple fly rods and reels.
so for i got a cheap setup i ordered a Okuma Magnitude ML 5/6 and a Cabelas lower end 8'6" 6weight rod.
i think i might need a lighter setup and small rod for fishing streams and the upper provo.
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While we don.t have many marlin , or sharks, or other big game spiecies here. There are trophy waters for the species that are available, blue ribon trout fishing inseveral lakes and streams, lake trout in flaming george , stripers and other bass in lake powell, stripers or tiger muskie in a few locales. Follow the message boards here and you can learn a few things for utah fishing. And the scenery while fishing some of these spots is unmatched. Welcome to Utah
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Welcome [Smile] Saltwater isn't going to happen here (nuttin' but brine shrimp in the Great Salt Lake, lol) but we have lots of other stuff to make it worth your time. Utah is terrific, a great place to live, raise kids, hike, hunt, fish and anything else outdoorsy. I'm not originally from Utah, but Utah is home. I love it here. We're on our way out, moving to the lower Midwest, but we'll miss this place a lot.

If you want pike, we do have good sized tiger muskies in a few reservoirs around the state. Pineview for one. Yuba used to be another one but that place has been nothing but a carp puddle recently.

Tight lines to ya, and again welcome to Utah.

(PS it may take you a few days to get acclimated to the altitude, suggest you not do anything too strenuous your first week if you come from sea level, especially in Park City--the altitude up there is mostly around 7000 feet, the valley is mostly around 4000. Stay hydrated too. [Smile])
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thank you all for the information and warm welcome.
I have always loved fishing, hunting, camping, hiking etc.
I appreciate the outdoors and i do not have to catch or kill a think to enjoy the sports. thanks for the tips. i have been to park city several time before and i have found out the hard way before about altitude i did the 4th of july 5k fun run a couple years back and im use to sealevel and flat land. i cant wait for my fly fishing gear to come in to practice before i move up there.
thanks again,
joe
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Unless you can't, bring the big stuff.

We measure the sturgeon in feet, like, "we caught a 4', 3-5' and an 8' that took 45 minutes to get in."

I use a 6/0 and a 4/0 on 7' heavy rods and a 4/0 on a 13' Ugly Stick that I throw 12 oz sinker and a half a trout as bait.

Same rigs I'm taking to Florida with me next week for sharks from the beach and deep fishing for grouper.
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As an ex salt water fisherman i know that its going to take you some time to get used to the fishing here.As for big fish we have pike around the 20lb size and lake trout up to 60 lbs but you have to put the work in to catch them. Also on light tackle you have wipers in willard bay just wait till you hook up with one of the or have one break a rod holder on your boat.[Wink] Also if you need a challenge go after walleye they can be hard to get sometimes.Catfish also will put up a good fight if you get them 5lbs or more.Hope this helps.
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If your after big fish UT will not fulfill..

But we have some decent fishing all can be done on medium heavy to light tackle gear..
Most of the fish you will find here would be about the size of your baits you use..

Our big fish here are Lake Trout, Tiger Musky, Strippers, Wipers, Catfish some with some size, LMB and SM bass are medium in size with a few toads here and there...

The closest thing we have to salt water fish is Strippers and Wipers. Both are a blast both will be on when you come here in June...
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They're only large relatively (5-6lbs.), but we have the best brook trout fishing in the United States.
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sounds goood. im not saying i dont enjoy fishing smaller species of fish i was just wondering if i should bother bringing my old tackle. it can be plenty exciting fighting a large fish of a smaller species especially if you use lite tackle. either way the thought of fishing off of a riverin beautiful Utah with no building or highways close sounds sublime.
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Once you get here and have your fly rod ready to go look me up. Id be happy to show you some spots.
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thanks [Wink]
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