Welcome to High Country Fly Fishers

HCFF is a proud Trout Unlimited chapter dedicated to fly fishing, conservation, and community in the scenic beauty of Park City, Utah serving  Summit and Wasatch counties. Since 1989, we’ve been passionate about protecting cold-water fisheries, supporting healthy trout populations, and sharing the art of fly fishing and fly tying. Our club offers hands-on conservation projects with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources , Trout-in-the-Classroom programs for local students, and monthly fishouts where members enjoy camaraderie and refine their fly fishing skills on some of the region’s best waters. Join us at our our monthly meetings to hear from expert fishing guides, fly tyers, and fisheries biologists from across the West. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, HCFF offers friendship, learning opportunities, and memorable fishing adventures. Check our Calendar page for meeting details and upcoming eventsnew members and visitors are always welcome!


January Annual Membership Meeting and Social
Wed, Jan 8th, 6pm – 9pm
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church
1505 White Pine Canyon Rd
Park City, UT 84060, map
BYOB

January Meeting Announcement

Our January Meeting is a combination of our “State of the Chapter” business report and a Pizza Party. We summarize last year’s key activities and discuss the plans for 2025. Feel free to BYOB to go with the Pizza. It is primarily a social event with just enough business to help you start planning your fishing trips for 2025.

Our multi day outings will be discussed by Jayne Guyse. She requested your input on HCFF outings in our last email and will discuss the results of her survey. Don Stanger will give you a preview of programs and speakers for our 2025 meetings.


A Winter Day on the Provo

Provo River Winter
Freeze Your A** Off Fish Day NO HOST BREAKFAST will be held on the First Saturday in January 2025 (Jan 4), beginning at 8 AM at the Hub Cafe in Heber City, UT.

You will need to dress warm, but it’s worth it as the fish are usually hungry! This is a multi-organization event (Stonefly, Bonneville Fly Fishers, Wasatch Women’s Group, and HCFF), so come prepared to make new friends. If you want to be on the water before 10, DON’T BE LATE for breakfast!

It looks like our warm winter will continue so “no excuses.” You can also join us for breakfast if winter fishing is not on your agenda! Please NOTIFY me with a head count via phone, email, or signup on the HCFF Website. We have a reservation for 40.

I hope to see you and all our fishing besties there! Call me with any questions about winter fishing tackle or flies!

Pat Ronneburg
435-659-1275
Email patronnrburg@msn.com
High Country Fly Fishers, Board Member, 2025


Henry’s Fork Foundation The Dirtt Plan

As many of you know, the Henry’s Fork Foundation has been the caretaker of the Henry’s Fork since 1984. This organization is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring the unique fisheries, wildlife, and aesthetic qualities of the Henry’s Fork and its watershed. In 2018, the HFF expanded its efforts to The South Fork of the Snake.
The South Fork Initiative was driven by the passion of South Fork outfitters, anglers, and citizens who wanted to bring the Henry’s Fork Foundation’s model of science-based collaboration to the South Fork of the Snake River. The Henry’s Fork is also locally known as the North Fork of the Snake. The North Fork and South Fork join a few miles above Idaho Falls, ID, to form the Snake River that flows 574 miles through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to join the Columbia River.

This year, the Henry’s Fork Foundation obtained a federal grant of $1 million to partially fund the DIRTT Plan ( Developing Infrastructure to Reduce Temperature and Turbidity).  HFF needs to raise $50,000 of matching funds for this grant.  Many HCFF members fish the Henry’s Fork and the South Fork and their tributaries.  We would like to help HFF raise the $50,000 needed for the matching grant.  HCFF will match all new donations up to $1,000.  We ask you to join us with your donation to help fund the DIRTT Plan.  

Above is the Henry’s Fork as it flows through the Railroad Ranch.

Help Pass Good Samaritans Legislation

Trout Unlimited’s appeal to the membership last week was successful.  The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 was passed by the House of Representatives last week!

Abandoned mines across the U.S. continue to pollute our lands and waters, threatening coldwater streams and the trout they support. Good Samaritans like Trout Unlimited and state agencies are ready to step up and clean these sites, but outdated laws expose them to legal liability for pollution they didn’t cause. Both Utah Senators co-sponsored the bill.  The legislation is waiting for President Biden to sign it.

Most of these abandoned mines are in the western states – where we fish.  Utah alone has over 17,000. Many others are scattered around Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.  It will take time, but, once remediated, these abandoned mines will stop polluting western waters.

A Gift for Your Child or Grandchild

Trout Camp is a fly fishing activity for youths 13 to 17 sponsored by the Utah Council of Trout Unlimited. It is held at White’s Ranch in Paradise, Utah. It is a three-day, two-night event – June 18, 19 & 20 – where the youths are introduced to all aspects of fly fishing. All gear is provided or youths can bring their own. Meals and lodging are provided. A special discounted price for a Redington fly rod package is also available. Adult mentors are matched up with the youths on nearly a one-to-one basis.

The cost for the camp is $310. Registration is now open to the public and is limited to 14 youths. If you would like to make Trout Camp a Christmas gift for your child or grandchild, you can make a reservation by registering at https://utahtu.org. Then email hcff599@gmail.com requesting the personalized Christmas Card. Send your name, your phone number, your address, and the full name of your youth indicating the relationship.


Minersville Reservoir Fishing Report

Jayne Guyse and Pat Ronneburg went to Minersville Reservoir earlier this week. Here is what Jayne offered when I asked how the fishing was.

 
“We were on the bank, sans boats, so no trolling. Ice was starting to form on the lake and stacking up against the dam. You never get the same number from the bank, if, for no other reason than you aren’t covering the same amount of water. We didn’t do much the first few hours, maybe four between us. We should have moved earlier, but we didn’t for some reason. Finally about 3:00 P.M., we moved to another spot, and, voila! we found fish. I got six or eight in the last hour and a half. Pat got four or five in the last hour; she had to leave before me. We each got a smallish one (14” or so). The rest were 20″ +. Balanced leeches were the flies of the day, particularly black.”

“From the bank, that’s a really great day.”


Christmas Party Dec 4, 2024

HCFF 2024 Christmas Party

How to Party Like a Pro – The HCFF Christmas Edition
A huge shoutout to the masterminds behind this festive extravaganza – Jen Sockett and Todd Johnson. If throwing a perfect Christmas party were an Olympic sport, these two would be standing on the podium with gold medals around their necks. The evening was a roaring success, featuring mouthwatering food, comradery that’s found in a fraternity, and gifts so delightful, even Santa took notes.

To all the behind-the-scenes elves who pitched in before, during, and after the festivities – you are true MVPs. From setting the stage to sweeping up rogue bits of wrapping paper, your efforts did not go unnoticed.

A special thank you to all who attended – you brought the party to life! As the saying goes, “The more, the merrier,” and boy, did we prove that true. There were old friends, new friends, and plenty of moments that could fill a “Top 10 Holiday Memories” list.

It was the perfect launchpad for the Christmas season: full bellies, hearty laughs, and enough cheer to power a sleigh ride around the globe. So here’s to Jen, Todd, everyone who helped, and everyone who came – you’ve set the bar high for next year.


Monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at St. Mary’s Church, so mark your calendar.
Please check our Calendar page for upcoming events, and always feel free to email us at HCFF599@gmail.com with questions or suggestions.

As always, thank you for your support.