OCR Text |
Show Fishing by Max J arm an An estimated 400,000 fishermen laid awake last Friday night awaiting sunrise and the opening of the general Utah fishing season. Jan Peterson, owner of Jan's sporting goods store, probbly didn't fish at all during the weekend (except for maybe in the stream behind his house); he was afraid. Afraid of the traffic, the crowds, the unpleasant bait, the high spring water, and most of all, of the wily native trout that rarely take a fly this time of year. Every year I ask Jan, "Where are you going for the opener?" and he always replies something like. "Wendover!". I agree with Jan that the opener does not present the most auspicious fishing opportunities of the season but at the same time, I am convinced it poses an excellent excuse for an outing. And, after all there still places in Utah where there are no crowds even on opening weekend. We left late Friday morning for Rock Creek (more like a river) which headwaters in Grandaddy Lake and runs down the south slope of the Uinta Mountains to an eventual confluence with the Duchesne River near the town of the same name. Rock Creek was, as usual, accessible yet remarkably uncrowded. The lush meadows through which it flows in lower elevtions were covered with wild Iris and Blue Eyed Grass, two of the most beautiful early wildflowers. The area teems with wildlife and it is not uncommon to spot moose, elk, and beaver in an afternoon. Rock Creek is also reportedly one of the finest native fishing streams in the state. That fact was attested to by a fishermen we met who claimed to have pulled a 4 pound Brook Trout out of waters above the Rock Creek Ranch last season. We camped on the South Fork of Rock Creek near the Ranch, which rents rustic cabins, serves family style meals and sells beer and set-ups in a small bar located in a corner of the large main lodge. We figured if the weather got unmanageable we could just mover over to a cabin. I was accompanied on the outing by four friends whom 1 have aggregately known for more than 70 years. . Rock Creek was high near camp which precluded nearby fishing so we made ,:plans to fish the Lower Stillwater 10 miles below. Lower Stillwater is a vast meadowland where Rock Creek meanders slowly through miles of deep channels. It is one of the finest flyfishing areas I've seen and lies on land controlled by the Ute Indian Tribe. The Lower Stillwater is not planted and populated almost exclusively by native species of trout. It requires a special Indian permit to fish the area which helps keep fishing pressure to a minimum. The banks are regularly patrolled and those found fishing without permit are heavily fined. There is an Upper Stillwater above the Ranch which is planted and requires no special permit, but that area can get somewhat congested compared with the waters below. We had set up a small competition among ourselves with a bottle of Glenlivet going to the angler who landed the biggest fish the following day. The unblended Scotch would naturally be shared with other members of the party. Everyone rose very late on the opener. Walter, a member of our group announced he had been up early and caught a five-inch brook trout near camp which he released. We discovered early that our six dozen worms had somehow passed away during the night which wasn't too catastrophic because everyone had both a fly and spinning outfit. Then I discovered I had lost my Indian permit which was irreplaceable. The entire Lower Stillwater was now closed for fishing, to at least me. On the Stillwater at 4 p.m. the others fished while I drank beer and birdwatched. Back at camp at 7 p.m. the Glenlivet was awarded to Walter for his 5 inch "Brookie" the only fish of the day. New York steaks were thrown on the fire and the second evening passed much like the first. Up late Sunday we broke camp an3 fished several spots with little luck on the way back to Park City. We could have probably caught more fish from a bridge on the Weber but like Jan Peterson we were afraid; afraid of the traffic, crowds, unplcsant bait, etc. However, we were content just to be or an outing flipping nymphs into high water knowing there was little chance of much fishing ' success. -'' 4 |