Where
The 2.1 million-acre Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is mere minutes from Utah’s largest cities running just east of the Wasatch Front on the Wasatch Mountains. It also stretches for more than 130 miles north to south from Logan to Spanish Fork.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Why
A chance to catch three of Utah’s native cutthroat species in a spectacular setting.
“The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache is consistently ranked among the most visited national forests, thanks to its proximity to the population centers,” said Brett Prettyman, Trout Unlimited’s Intermountain Communications Director. “The first taste of the outdoors for many Utah children is in the national forest, and fishing is part of that.”
A richly diverse angling offering awaits visitors—big reservoirs, small high mountain lakes, tailwaters and tiny mountain streams.
“Strawberry Reservoir is one of the most heavily fished waters in the national forest,” Prettyman continued, “and with good reason, as it kicks out some big cutts and rainbows. It’s not as fly-fishing friendly, but it’s a trout producer. The High Uinta Wilderness has hundreds of lakes with fishable populations of grayling, tiger, brook and cutthroat trout. Many people enjoy backpacking in for a night or two. There are some great larger rivers in the forest, including the Lower Provo, Strawberry, Logan, Bear and Weber. The Logan and Bear have Bear River Cutts; the Weber, Bear River and Bonneville Cutts. Colorado River Cutts can be found in many of the small streams in the Uinta Mountains.”
“The first taste of the outdoors for many Utah children is in the national forest, and fishing is part of that.”
Brett PrettymanLocal knowledge
Note snowpack, and plan accordingly.
“If there’s heavy snow, there will be significant run-off, and rivers won’t be fishing well until later,” Prettyman advised. “Early summer is generally reliable.”
TU Initiatives
Working with the U.S. Forest Service, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, PacifiCorp, the Boy Scouts of America and the Stonefly Society (the local TU Chapter), Trout Unlimited helped with the re-introduction of Bonneville cutthroat trout to Mill Creek, just east of Salt Lake City. Trout Unlimited also partnered with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Council of Trout Unlimited and the state’s eight chapters to launch the Utah Cutthroat Slam, which encourages anglers to catch each of the state’s four native cutthroat species in their native ranges, raising awareness of these species. Since its inception in 2015, the Slam has attracted more than 1,000 participants (almost 200 of which have completed the Slam) and raised more than $20,000 for native fish reintroductions.
“The first angler to complete the Slam used worms, as he wasn’t confident enough with his fly fishing,” Prettyman added. “Now he plans to do it again with flies.”
Support public lands and look good doing it!
Make a Difference
National Forests like the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache serve as the headwaters for many of our Nation’s watersheds. Please take a moment to express your opposition to EPA’s proposal to rescind the Clean Water Rule and your support for protecting headwater streams. Earlier this year the EPA announced a proposed rule that would rescind the 2015 Clean Water Rule. The 2015 Clean Water Rule did a good job of clarifying and restoring Clean Water Act protections for headwater streams and wetlands.
Please visit Standup.tu.org to send a message to the EPA that you oppose its proposal to rescind the 2015 Clean Water Rule and support protecting the Nation’s headwater streams and wetlands.