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Show Anglers, waif no longer-drought longer-drought forces early opener The early fishing season opener this year in Utah is like an unexpected vacation for many anglers; its like getting an extra check or two birthday presents. Certainly, the advance of opening day alleviated three weeks of anxiety and ulcer-causing ulcer-causing tension. And it looks like the Saturday, May 14, opening will provide good fishing in the reservoirs and much better stream fishing than normally available on the opening weekend, according to the Division of Wildlife Resources. Many areas, they said, are open and are typically accessible early in the season . The early opening date is not without its drawbacks. Resort owner, management agencies-both state and federal--and some sportsmen sport-smen with pre-arranged vacation plans found themselves behind the proverbial eight ball: some short of personnel, some with inadequate time to make necessary arrangements and some with time off work-three weeks too late. On the bright side, however, regional fisheries torecast indicate that opening weekend fishermen will be in for some pleasant fishing. Here are the DWR forecasts for some local fishing holes: ASPEN MIKKOK LAKE: Water level extremely low and the surroundings dry and snow free. Should have a good carry-over of fishing and should be good fishing. BEAVER KIVEK: Good fishing is in store for the . Beaver River this year. All i areas will be stocked with vr catchable rainbow trout. Access is good to all areas of the stream and several camping grounds are located adjacent to good fishing holes. Dl'CK ('KEEK: U.S.Forest Service camps are snow free and dry. Water level extremely ex-tremely low. Should provide good fishing. ENTER PK1SE RESERVOIRS: RESER-VOIRS: Both Upper and Lower Reservoirs are closed during 1977, following the chemical fish eradication of 1976. KOLOH RESERVOIR: The water level at the Kolob Reservoir is very low, although il appears to be somewhal higher than it was late lasl year. Kolob will be stocked for the opener with catchable cat-chable size rainbows. It is too early to say what hold-over we have had although it is expected to find a good population of cutthroat trout and a few brook trout. No improved facilities are available , but boat launching is possible in several places for small boats. Camping is on private ground and no culinary water is available. LEEDS ( REEK: A new program will be tried in the next several years witn me fishery program on Leeds Creek. Fingering cutthroat trout will be planted rather than catchable size rainbow trout. Hopefully, the result will be a quality self-supporting self-supporting fishing water. Fishing is expected to be very slow for any hold-over f rainbow, but some nice fish i could be taken. The road up Leeds Creek is in good shape I with a good Forest Service . camp at the head of the ; creek. MINERSV1LI.E RESERVOIR: RESER-VOIR: Minersville has been , open to fishing since Jan. 1. Fishing has been slow the last few weeks but is expected ex-pected to get better as water temperatures rise. Rainbow trout are ranging from one-half one-half lb. to four lbs. in size (continued on page 3) is Fishing Outlook (continued from page 1) with two and one-half lbs. of fish being the average taken. NAyAjq.LA.KEi; Watec level is down but it is ice free. Some of the forest campgrounds on the south side have snow in them. Winter kill is down and could have a carry over of fish. NEWCATLE RESERVOIR. This reservoir promises to be good fishing for the opening of the general fishing season. Fingerline rainbow trout, which were stocked last summer will" ' comprise most of the catch and will average about one half pound. Some rainbow trout of the same size couid be taken. Camping facilities are limited at Newcastle Reservoir and there are no improved boat launching areas provided so small easy to launch boats are recommended. the fish planted will be catchable size rainbow . trout. PANGUITCH LAKE: It is expected to be good fishing . for ranibows. A few cutthroats cut-throats may also be taken. Most fish caught will be one-half one-half pound. The lake is lower than normal for the opener. Launching of boats will only be good at the south side public boat ramp. North ramp is nearly out of '.' water. A large crowd is - expected. Cabins and boats, trailer space, groceries and puclic campground are available at lake, PINE VALLEY RESERVOIR: RESER-VOIR: This small water is expected to be very popular for the opening. Large crowds are commonplace at Pine Valley especially on opening weekend. There are PARAGONAH (RED CREEK) RESERVOIR: Stocking of catchable rainbow trout for the opener has been completed at Paragonah Reservoir. Fishing shoul be good for the opener and larger trout from previous year's plantings are also present. Camping areas around Paragonah Reservoir are limited and there is no culinary water. PAROWAN CREEK: Stocking will be done just before the opening. The lower stretches of this creek are the areas stocked and improved facilities. Come early. Stocking with several thousand 10-12 inch ranibows will be completed prior to the opening. These catchable cat-chable fish will make up the majority of the catch, with a few small brook trout expected ex-pected to be caught. YANKEE MEADOW: Should be good fishing for the opener. Stocking of catchable rainbow trout has been completed and the anglers can expect to also catch some brookies. Camping restircted. No culinary. |