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Show VVJ by Dave Mueller s :V M ) 1 : . v . y ! I ; ' " - !" - -' . No, this whopper didn't come out of Kimball Creek, but it makes a good photo anyway. Roaming Record columnist David Mueller spotted Troy Novesel of Sandy with this prize catch at Rockport Lake last weekend. Troy was fishing with worms. There's fine fishing close to home Several fenced sections now have caved banks from too many houses in too small an area. There are a few more culverts now than ten years ago. A couple of new houses perch very near the current. Sedimentation from upstream development has filled some . of the good trout holds. ...... , ... But still the rare quality of Kimball Creek comes through this time of year. The" water will soon be within the banks and with the Snyderville meadow peaking with summer lushness, the fishing in this deceptively productive bit of trout habitat will soon begin its annual upswing. I'll admit I'm biased. For my best bet the Old Ranch Road section of Kimball Creek has produced more fish and more enjoyable hours of fishing than any river, stream or lake near or far. Part of it is convenience, just ten minutes from Park City. But, too, it has seldom disappointed spring, summer or fall, most always giving up fat, native brown and brook trout. Yet the setting, the watercourse meandering through tall grasses with a backdrop of our side of the Wasatch, has always lent a value to the fishing experience that one seldom finds elsewhere. Yes, our little community is closing in on Kimball Creek. And there might be a day in the not-too-distant future when the homes are shoulder to shoulder along the mile-and-a-half meadow stretch. But those in Park City who have somehow missed fishing this section should at least give it one try before it is all closed in. Perhaps I'm being an alarmist. But if you have missed this part of the Park City experience, ex-perience, you might wish to make up for it. As one long-time resident has told me: "Kimball Creek was as good as just about anywhere else so we didn't need to waste too much time and gas getting to some good fishing." And it's still mighty fine. Here are a few tips for fishing the meadow .section just as the water starts dropping and clearing. In mid-day, I have found that a grey nymph tied on a number ten long-shanked hook works very well when fished up beneath the ciltbanks. This fly imitates the crane fly larvae lar-vae which become active at this time of the year. In the more quiet backwaters and eddies, look to see which mayfly is being taken by the fish. Try to be fairly specific if you are going to try to tempt a mayfly feeder because several types of flies can be on the water at the same time with the trout preferring one. After sundown, as the darkness gives the larger fish the cover to move into open water, try a nymph or wet fly of your choice at the head of each run and pool. The "renegade" has always been effective at this hour and I have had some fine success with an olive-grey No. 14 nymph. And fish late, even though the evening chill may do its best to move you back to the car. In that final 15 or 20 minutes of fading twilight I've hooked some very nice trout. Of course then you have to stumble back to the car in darkness, but the chance of hooking that truly large fish is worth it. Give this little gem of a stream a try and perhaps you'll give up on those after-work runs out to Strawberry. |