High Uintas

[shadowcaster]

Wow! It has been forever since I have written on here. Nearly a year I think. That's what college does to a man ... but I'm back and ready to hook into some trophies!

I am looking for some suggestions concerning the fly-fishing in the high uintas. I have researched, read, and heard stories that a man like me can only dream about. However, I am from Pennsylvania originally and don't know a whole lot about the Uintas other than what I have read. I am planning a trip for late June with my best friend and am looking for any suggestions, general or specific, as to the best locations to hit and general patterns to start tying up. I have heard fantastic stories about the north and south sides of the Uintas. We are definitely looking for a remote area (we plan on hiking and camping a lot), great fishing (care more about numbers than size this time around ... though we may hit the Green for a day), and would really like to get into some good wild cutthroat and brookie fishing (I get excited just thinking about it!).

Furthermore, this trip will be a big trip to introduce my best friend to the art of fly-fishing and I want it to be a good experience for him. I'm sure most of you know how your first experience had an impact on your love of flyfishing.

Anyhow, I'd like to give the disclaimer that I am not a blabber mouth, so if there is a special place you don't want anyone to know about but are willing to disclose to a poor, fly-fishing loving college student and his learning friend, I will keep it tight lipped. [] I will also honor any other requests associated with fishing such an area. I am respectful of places that are special to others, especially after my favorite childhood fishing hole was torn apart by some careless kids.[:/]

Well, I apologize for the novel. One more question - are any of the rivers/streams in that area fishable at that time. I've heard conflicting things, as some have said they typically are at that time, and other told me to expect them to be roaring and to only fish the lakes.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY AND ALL HELP!!!
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[fishboy2]

the unitas are a great place to get out anf flyfish. one of my favorite spots to be exact. what areas are you thinking about fishing? How remote are you looking to get? As for flies, tie up a whole bunch of mosquitos, parachute adams, red and black ants. as well as different color and style wollys. as for nymphs I am not much help, I have not used nymphs in the high country... why bother when the fish are so easily tempted to topwater action.
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[shadowcaster]

I am still trying to decide which area would be best to go toward the end of June. The two main places I have thought of going are the Swift Creek drainage on the South Slope (seems like this would be mostly for the lakes, especially Carrol and Timothy Lakes), but have also strongly considered some of the North Slope streams such as Bear River, Mill Creek, Black's Fork, Smith's Fork, and Henry's Fork ( don't know much about lakes here). Does anyone know what stream and lake conditions typically are like in these areas around the end of June.
I've got to say that I am more of a river/small stream fisherman than lakes. Maybe that is because in Pennsylvania, we don't really have too many "trout lakes". Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As I said before, I am particularly targeting wild brookies and cutthroats on this trip, and while i would love to catch a few beasts, I think I am more interested in numbers than size overall as I will be taking my novice friend.
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[Igottabigone]

Red Castle Lake

[brookie]

Hey Shadow,
The Uintas are a great place to fly fish. One thing to consider is the end of June is still pretty early. Many of the very high country lakes, ie Red Castle area, Atwood Basin, Naturalist Basin, Head of the Yellowstone, Garfield Basin etc will likely still be frozen and and full of snow. The very high country will still be aprox two weeks later on most years. You can usually get into the Grandaddy Lakes area by the end of June. I'm not experienced with the Timothy Lake area - maybe. I have been in all of the previously mentioned areas and would guess it very unlikely to have access that early this year. I have included a photo from last year looking from the top of Grandaddy pass, north, up into the Naturalist Basin last week in June. One way to tell is to drive the Mirror Lake Highway above Kamas, Utah. If Mirror Lake and Pass Lake are open, Grandaddy Lake will usually be open. The higher country is usually close to 2 weeks behind that. Hope you have a great trip.
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[shadowcaster]

So when would be the optimal time to go and where should I consider?
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[brookie]

There is nothing wrong with the end of June, you just likely will have to stay at lower elevation. On the North Slope, look at streams near China Meadows (Smiths Fork) or the stream that flows into Meeks Reservoir (Blacks Fork). Lakes above and around Trial Lake should be open on the Mirror Lake highway. Lots of others too - these are just the ones I am familiar with. By July 7 to 15 you should be able to access most of the high country (depends on the snow year). Atwood Basin, Garfield Basin, Head of the Yellowstone river, Red Castle, Four Lakes Basin, Naturalist Basin all are great fishing by then. Those areas are quite a hike. Some of the best fishing up there happens after approx Aug 15 but who can wait until then? If you want send a PM with a phone # - we can talk more.
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[riverdog]

I agree with Brookie that that isn't too early to go. It just depends what you want to do. If this is primarily a multi-day backpacking trip into the high country I might wait a couple of weeks. If you're planning to camp from a parked vehicle, possible move around stream to stream, take day hikes and fish streams then it's a great time to go. Tends to be fewer people around before the Fourth of July. Dry fly fishing can be great on many streams that time of year. Easy for someone who has never fly fished before to quickly catch a lot of fish. For what it's worth that time of year my favorite on the south slope is the Yellowstone and on the north slope is the Henry's Fork.
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[shadowcaster]

Thanks a lot everyone for your help. I think we will end up going to some of the north slope streams. The nice thing is that there is a lot of water up there so we ought to have plenty of options. The hard thing is there is a lot of water up there so it is hard to pick out exactly where to go. I always like to have a solid game plan when I go on a fishing trip for a few days. So here is my question, and you can send me a private message if you'd like - Out of Henry's Fork, Smith's Fork, Black Fork, and Bear River, which 3 do you think would be best to focus on that time of year? The reason I ask is because I don't want to overwhelm us with trying to hit too much, which I have a great tendency to do [crazy] . I really want to key in on some of the most optimal areas, even down to specific branches/sections of those streams. It seems like Henry's Fork ought to definitely make it onto our lineup. From everything I've read and from your comments, it seems like a reliable winner, especially for my novice friend. Let me know any suggestions. Half of the excitement of a trip like this comes from preparing for it for me. I really want to key in on some good patterns to tie as well. We will have 3 full days I think, maybe 4. We will likely camp along each of the three streams we choose, but drive in between rather than hike. Thanks, and Brookie, I will send you a pm with my message right now.
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[SoLow]

Tried to get to Yellow Pine last week, not even close...Red Castle is a great lake as well...It will probably be like middle to end of July before it opens up...Four Lake basin is my pick....so many different lakes to choose from plus its a great ride for the horses....
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[riverdog]

They're all good but if you only have a Utah License I'd drop Black's Fork from the list. That said you have plenty of time to fish many streams in 3-4 days. You might consider getting a Wyoming License for the trip to give you more flexibility where you fish especially this early in the season. What I'd suggest is camping by one stream for all or most of the trip. Just too much hassle to pack up and reset up camp each day. I find almost any stream hard to pass without trying it. So if your driving to a new one and pass a small one try it out for an half hour.
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[FlyfisherMike]

I read they're projecting the Mirror Lake highway to be open the second or third week of June. That should give you a good idea of how much snow is still up there.

^^ike
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[Hounddog]

mirror lake highway is already open FWIW

Hounddog
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[shadowcaster]

Anyone have any information or updates on the status of the lakes in the Uintas? How close are they to thawing out, such as mirror lake? Any information would be appreciatated.
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[riverdog]

Haven't been up in about 2 weeks but Trial and Lost where opening up and fishable then. I heard second hand information that Mirror lake has been fishable for at least a few days now and that the recent storms only brought a little snow at 10,000 ft and isn't a big issue. Lost did get stocked this week so it'll be easy catching if someone is taking kids or newbies along.
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[riverdog]

Hey shadowcaster if you're looking for something more challenging than planters in ponds this weekend go try that stream I sent you to last year. Hatches of several stone flies, salmon flies, caddis as well as cicadis are moving upstream. Only problem with that much food available all the 2 foot browns might be getting stuffed and hard to entice.
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[shadowcaster]

Thanks for the advice Riverdog - haven't been there since the time you sent me, but sure loved it up there when I went. Any tips on good stonefly patterns and sizes. I think I'm gonna stay up tonight tying up a few. Boy am I excited!
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[riverdog]

bh kauffman nymphs, bh prince nymphs, sofa pillow and stimulators. sizes 6-10
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[shadowcaster]

Any updates on the status of ice around mirror lake? Are the lakes mostly thawed out? I'm planning on a 3 day trip to the southwest Uintas for next Thurs.-Saturday. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
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[TS30]

I'll be in the general vicinity this weekend. I'll let you know.
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