I was wondering if anyone who has been up to the uintas lately and if so how the mosquitos have been? Also how cold it has been getting at night? We are going backpacking next week up there so that is why I'm curious and trying to plan what to bring. What flies?
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The mosquitos in the Western Uintas were non exsistant until about 6:30pm, then they were out in full force. In the Uintas, bring bug spray.
I once had 64 mosquito bites on my hands, that's right just my hands. If you find yourself without spray, mud can help, but it needs to be THICK mud.....don't ask me how I found that out.[angelic]
As far as flies. You can not go wrong with Zebra Midges, Copper Johns, Royal Wulffs, Mosquito patterns, Elk Hair Caddis, Ants and small Black Leech patterns.
Have fun and let us know how the adventure goes.
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For me, the Mosquitoes were really not an issue, HORSEFLIES however OUCH! I wear Buzz Off Clothing[
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On fly patterns, Try White too with orange, Pink or Chartreuse thread and Black and Purple AND DON'T FORGET RENEGADES [
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+1 on the renegades!
I buy the mosquito repellent thats 90% deet...stinks to high heaven and is oilier than the Willard spill but it WORKS!
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Or even a hat net. Gosh earlier this year the horse flies were everywhere I went hiking and when I buy a hat net there's none of them ha ha ha.
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When I went last weekend there were nothing but still put some spray on no matter what. I will be up around the uintas tomorrow - sunday to enjoy the nice weather. EHC is a must especially before night fall. OH BOY EHC FESTIVAL.
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Looks like you didn't learn your lesson from our last year trips. [laugh]
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I like using Irresistibles, Bees, Beetles, Ants and Hoppers. Toss them by a lily pad, undercut bank, sunken log or off a dam and BAM!
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I know they are still thick around the Jordan so I am assuming they are still in the Uinta's DAMSEL flies. I have never used a dry before but as of three weeks ago, if it was blue, it got ate.
And for those who do not know, while DEET is the best there is for bug repellent, it will eat fly line so be sure to avoid contact there, wash hands with a stone.
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I usually wash my hands with sand or gravel from the lake or river bottom. I had a couple hits with a damsel at payson lake and the N. Fork of the Duchesne. I thinks its an underestimated and under valued insect/fly.
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It all depends on where and how high up you go. I was in Murdock basin today- lows in the 40's and highs only mid 50"s ( was cloudy but not enough rain to get you wet). Most days have been 10-15 degrees hotter in the afternoon. Mosquitoes weren't a problem below 9500 ft. The raspberries were at peak and a few huckleberries were ripe enough to pick and eat as well. Dry fly action was descent. Anything smaller than size 12 worked fine except I couldn't get a hit on an ant pattern for some reason.
Where are you headed? Great time to go.
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My daughter and I hiked the Crystal Lake T.H. last Sunday from 9:00a-3:00p and it was around 45* F when we arrived in the morning... of course it was about 70* F an hour later (or so it seemed).
We had our mosquito fans along but never turned them on... biting insects were completely non-existent.
For fishing the alpine lakes I like a good scud pattern (tied on a straight hook) for versatility - fishes deep/shallow, slow/fast, casting to cruisers, etc.
Tight lines.
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[quote Joe_Dizzy]
For fishing the alpine lakes I like a good scud pattern (tied on a straight hook) for versatility - fishes deep/shallow, slow/fast, casting to cruisers, etc.
Tight lines.[/quote]
What color scuds are you throwing up there? I have been considering tying some up and giving them a go on the water..........haven't caught a fish on a scud pattern, yet.
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[quote EvilTyeDyeTwin]
What color scuds are you throwing up there? I have been considering tying some up and giving them a go on the water..........haven't caught a fish on a scud pattern, yet.
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I can't take credit for the pattern, Rich Osthoff wrote a fantastic book of fishing alpine lakes in the Rocky Mountains - highly recommend it:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811727661/ref=...0811727661
Anyway, his go-to pattern out of the gate is his
Fast Sinking Scud:
--hook: size 14 nymph hook (1X heavy, 2X long)
--thread: olive UTC 70
--tail: stripped fibers from a partridge feather
--shellback: clear plastic shell back material
--ribbing: clear monofilament
--body: smoky olive Sow Scud (wrapped 3 times, and fibers brushed out to the sides)
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[quote Joe_Dizzy][quote EvilTyeDyeTwin]
What color scuds are you throwing up there? I have been considering tying some up and giving them a go on the water..........haven't caught a fish on a scud pattern, yet.
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I can't take credit for the pattern, Rich Osthoff wrote a fantastic book of fishing alpine lakes in the Rocky Mountains - highly recommend it: [url "http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811727661/ref=asc_df_08117276612650190?smid=A1SSUO20DOKMFO&tag=dealtmp814657-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=0811727661"]http://www.amazon.com/...ativeASIN=0811727661[/url]
Anyway, his go-to pattern out of the gate is his Fast Sinking Scud:
--hook: size 14 nymph hook (1X heavy, 2X long)
--thread: olive UTC 70
--tail: stripped fibers from a partridge feather
--shellback: clear plastic shell back material
--ribbing: clear monofilament
--body: smoky olive Sow Scud (wrapped 3 times, and fibers brushed out to the sides)[/quote]That book is awesome. He's caught some incredible golden trout.
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Don't forget the mega scud and rollover scud patterns. I'd steer clear of Rich Ostoff's books. He's a radical like me that long ago realized tandem fly set ups are subpar in many fishing situations. Not a popular idea for the masses especially on this site.
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ive been up there a ton this year and only have had 2 bites, you can see them all over but maybe they don't like my blood or something.
Its also starting to get cold at night, seeing your breath and the occasional hail storm while your fishing.
still cant beat the area even if it wants to get you wet every afternoon this time of year
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I just finished a 50-mile hike July 29-August 3, and I only put bug spray on once, and that was because of an annoying mayfly hatch (great for fishing, but not for inhaling). I have never seen a year with fewer of the bloodsucking beasts. Enjoy!
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