Southern Utah Backpacking Recommendations

[TD1]

Doing an early season backpacking trip the 1st week of April and am looking for recommendations for places where we won't have to be treking through snow. It will be a pretty quick trip (2 nights). I have been leaning towards the Escalante area as that is the place where I have the most experience (never fished there, though), but am open to anywhere. While fly-fishing is not the primary reason for the trip, it would definitely be a bonus. If anyone has any good recommendations (with or without fishing) they would be greatly appreciated! Feel free to send PMs. Thanks!
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[riverdog]

I'd go with Escalante area.Very scenic hiking and there are more trout in there than you might think. April and October are my favorite times to go. If the weather is unseasonable cold I'd consider extreme northwest Washington County rather than stay home
http://www.sangres.com/utah/blm/docs-pas...erness.htm
7 miles of trout stream in a remote rugged setting. The hikers in the Escalante area will make it seem like NYC compared to this lonely place.
However unless you're completely antisocial while backpacking it's hard to beat Escalante Canyon for beauty. I'd only hit the Doc's/Slaughter/Cougar tri wilderness area if snow is flying in Escalante.
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[gstott]

I don't know as much about the hiking part, but the Escalante area has some great little trout streams. Check out North Creek. It's loaded with brookies and nice cutthroat. At least it was about 12 years ago when I was last down there.
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[TD1]

Thanks for the replies! Any idea what bugs I can expect to see the start of next month? I think that we are planning on hiking up the Escalante River and then heading up one of the feeder creeks. Do you know if the Escalante itself worth fishing? Thanks again for the help!
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[gstott]

I've run into some pretty thick caddis hatches on Calf Creek in April. The Escalante has some trout, but the feeder creeks have been more productive for me.
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[riverdog]

The feeder streams and just below where they come into the Escalante tends to be most reliable. However I have seen descent numbers of trout scattered throughout the entire Escalante River starting a 100 yards above Highway 12 on years with good flows. Last time down 2 years ago in April this was the case. Flows have been above normal for most of the last year so I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case this year as well. Caddis and may flies imitations are what I'd bring along. Fish aren't real picky but they are spooky. Stealth is far more important than fly selection. Hope the trip works out. Now you got me wanting to go fish it. Maybe I'll get time next week.
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[gstott]

I forgot to mention bringing terrestrials. Ants, beetles, and hoppers can be really great down there too.
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