ABOUT THE UPPER PROVO RIVER:

The Upper Provo River is a great place to take a beginner fly fishing. Hungry trout are very forgiving and will eat a dry fly presented near them. The headwaters of the Provo River begins high in the Uinta Mountains about 80 miles east of Salt Lake City and about 40 miles east of Park City, Utah. The upper Provo River starts out as a very small stream although it still has good fly fishing mainly for small cutthroat and brook trout. These fish have such a short summer that they need to eat and eat a lot to hold them over another year. So don’t be surprised when the devourer a hopper or ant. This section of stream is primarily pocket water, riffles and small pools with aggressive and eager small trout willing to eat a fly. The upper portion of the Provo River is public access since it is within the Wasatch National Forest (Runs along the Mirror Lake highway (SR 150)).  As it makes its way downstream toward Jordanelle Reservoir it picks up more volume and Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout start to become more predominant. This is some of the best water, with fish reaching 12-15 inches and very willing to take a big dry fly, but make sure you take a stealthy approach, because they will spook easily.  Once it leaves the Wasatch National Forest, the Provo River flows through mostly private land. This is one of the best sections of fly fishing in Utah, but it can be very difficult to access or get permission from the landowners. Please respect the current laws and hopefully soon the USAC and land owners will come up with a fair compromise for both parties.The last section of the Upper is a small stretch of public land immediately above Jordanelle Reservoir that lies within Jordanelle State Park. (Know as the Rock Cliff Arm) This section of the Provo is very short, but at certain times of the year it can have some great fly fishing. Even thought you have to pass rivers like the Middle Provo and Weber to get to the Upper, it is well worth the drive to get into the beautiful Unita high country and experience dry fly fishing they way it should be.

WHEN TO FISH:

Early spring (Late March-Run Off) is some of the best fly fishing on the Upper just above Jordanelle Reservoir. The river is alive with a mix of Skwala Stone flies, Blue Winged Olives and lake run rainbow trout. The upper river comes to form after run off which is usually middle of June. Summer is the time to be up in the high country chasing fish on big dry flies. During the fall water levels drop in the upper river making for some very spooky fish. But move down stream above Jordanelle and you can find nice browns that move out of the lake into the river to spawn. Big streamers (yellow and black) are a favorite fall technique to try and catch the fish of the year.

FISH:

Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout and White Fish

HATCHES:

Midges, Blue Winged Olive, Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Skwala Stone Fly, Golden Stone Flies, Hoppers, Crickets, Ants, and Beetles.

FLIES:

Dry Flies: Parachute Adams, Lawson’s Green Drake, Para BWO, Griffith’s Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis, Hackle Stacker, Compara Dun PMD, Stimulator, Parachute Adams

Emergers: Green Drake Cripple, WD-40, X-Caddis, LaFontaines Sparkle Pupa, BWO Emerger, Midge Pupa, PMD Emerger, Palamino Midge

Nymphs: Frenchie, Zebra Midge, Sow Bug, Pheasant Tail, Peeking Caddis, Red Fox Squirrel, Prince, Hares Ear, Brassie, Rubber-leg Stone, Glow Bug, San Juan Worm

Terrestrials: Grand Hopper, Para-Hopper, Ants, Beetles and Mouse

Streamers: Wooly Buggers, Muddler Minnow, Sex Dungeon, Circus Peanut, Articulated Leeches

EQUIPMENT:

Rods: 6 to 8 foot in 2 to 4 weight rods are standard. New 10ft rods are becoming more popular for euro-style nymphing.

Reel: Standard disc or click trout reel. Large Arbor Reels are very popular

Lines: Floating – Weight Forward or Double Tapers, Sinking – Sink Tip and Full Sinking for Streamers

Leader & Tippet: 7 1/2 to 9 ft leaders in 3-6x. Tippet 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, and 7x for picky trout.

Waders & Boots: Lightweight Breathable Waders are used year round. Some prefer wet wading during the summer months. Rubber & Felt bottom boots.

Other Gear: License, Floatant, Weights, Strike Indicators, Forceps, Polarized Glasses, Net, Hat, Sun Screen, Garage Bag.

SEASON & REGULATIONS:

General fishing regulations and limits apply. (4 trout) See current Utah Fishing Guide Booklet

FLY SHOPS & SERVICES:

Four Seasons Fly Fishers in Heber, Trout Bum 2 in Park City, Eddie Robinsons in Orem, Cabelas in Lehi, Sportsman Warehouse in Provo, and  Fish Tech & Western Rivers in Salt Lake. (Lodging in Sundance, Park City, Heber/Midway(Johnson’s Mill-Bed & Breakfast for fly fishers), Utah County and Salt Lake County)

NEARBY FLY FISHING:

Middle Provo River, Weber River, Deer Creek Reservoir, Jordanelle Reservoir, Strawberry Reservoir, Unita Lakes and Streams

View Upper Provo River in a larger map