A lways a favorite with anglers at this stage in the fishing season is the Uinta Mountains. The high-country setting offers more than 1,000 natural lakes, with more than 400 of these waters

holding game fish and more than 400 miles of streams and rivers. Some are easily accessible, within a couple of dozen steps of a parking area, while others require a long hike, a sure-footed horse or lama and overnight camping to reach.

Opportunities

What helps to make this area so popular at this time are the opportunities for every level of fisherman, from the avid angler to the youngster out for his or her first experience. To that end, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources plants the more accessible lakes on a routine basis with catchable trout. To help fishermen catch more fish, it posts an up-to-date schedule of plants on Utah Division of Wildlife Resources under the fishing heading.

Picture from https://utah.com/uinta-mountains

See the beauty of the Uintas this fall.

Picture from https://utah.com

Lake in the Uintas

Fishing in the Uinta lakes.

So You’ve Been Invited to Go Fishing – What Do You Bring?

1. A good fishing rod and reel. 2. Tackle: Tackle includes all the little gear that you use when fishing (weights, hooks, lures, etc). Appropriate bait or lures. 3. Small cooler : to store fish. 4. Hat or sunscreen 5. First aid kit

List from http://www.mantripping.com/mancation-blog/so-you-ve-been-invited-to-go-fishing-what-do-you-bring.html

Fall Colors

There are, of course, other reasons to fish the Uintas at this time, among them the colors — leaves going from mountain green to shades of red, orange, brown and yellow and accented by the always uniform pines. This, too, is a time when the crowds start to dwindle, the mosquitoes and flies are gone and the water levels are stable.

Best of all this is a time when fish are eager to eat in preparation for winter. This makes ant and beetle patterns in black, brown or rust colors a good choice for fly fishermen, along with the popular Griffith gnat and elk hair caddis. Woolly Buggers in black, brown and dark olive offer a slightly larger meal to hungry fish.

Picture from https://utah.com/uinta-mountains

Fishing Times

Best fishing is mornings and evenings when fish come to the surface to feed. Those who chose to fish in the middle of the day will need to go a little deeper. Lures, such as the Jake’s Spin-A-Lure, a fly and bubble and natural and commercial baits work well for spin casters. “If the fly, lure or bait aren’t working, change size and color. That’s the secret.” said one Uinta fishing expert. Available fish in the lakes range from cutthroat, brook and rainbow to tiger trout.

Don’t get Lost

Before venturing too far off the main highway, buy a map or guidebook on the Uintas and become somewhat familiar with the area. This is rugged country. And always be aware of the fact that the weather can change quickly from calm to stormy so be prepared.

Picture from https://utah.com

Picture from http://www.summitpost.org

Fishing in the morning.

Bear River Utah Fishing.

In the fall, The drive to the trailhead is very colorful

The Salmon are running

Take note of this, too. The kokanee salmon are running, and it is definitely a sight to see. Kokanee spend most of their three years of life with silver coloring. When the run begins, however, they turn a smooth-skinned red color with a greenish head. The females keep their shapely bodies, but the males develop a large hump on the back and a hook on the lower jaw.

They’ll swim into the tributaries of Strawberry Reservoir in their new, bright dress, where males and females will pair up and spawn. After the spawn they will die, hopefully leaving behind many more offspring. During the spawn the DWR will strip females of their eggs and males of their sperm in order to improve survival. In the wild roughly 20 percent of the eggs hatch, where as the survival rate in hatcheries is around 80 percent.

There is a boardwalk along sections of the Strawberry River near the U.S. Forest Service visitor center and reservoir that allows guests to see the red salmon in their spawning ritual. On Saturday, October 27, the Strawberry Valley Wildlife Festival will be held at the center. This is the best opportunity to see the salmon and the egg-taking process. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Best fishing is mornings and evenings when fish come to the surface to feed.

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Picture from https://wildlife.utah.gov You can get close to bright red kokanee salmon at this year's viewing event.