Welcome to High Country Fly Fishers

HCFF Donations Committee Meeting
Wed, Nov 5th, 3:00pm – 5:30pm

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 1505 White Pine Canyon Rd, Park City

High Country’s Donations Committee meets once a year to consider donations to nonprofits that support our mission.

The meeting is open to all members, so please join us if you would like to submit programs for our consideration.

If you cannot attend, please submit your ideas to Katie Cannarella.

November Meeting
Wed, Nov 5th, 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Help Plan Next Season’s HCFF Calendar

As our fly-fishing group looks ahead to another season, it’s time to shape next year’s agenda. Every year brings new waters to explore, new techniques to learn, and new friendships to build — and the best ideas come from our members.

Camping Trips or One-Day Outings?

Let’s talk about the right mix:

• Overnight camping — fish early and late, share stories by the fire, venture farther, and enjoy extra time for fly-tying, gear talk, and relaxed connection.
• One-day outings — easier for busy schedules, usually higher turnout, and great for nearby streams and lakes with minimal planning.

Tell us which format you prefer — or if a balanced mix works best.

How Far Are You Willing to Travel?

Some favorite waters are close; others are two to three hours away. Knowing your comfortable travel range helps us design trips that maximize fishing time and fit most members.

Your Ideas Matter

Think about the experiences you enjoy most: local half-day getaways, multi-day camping adventures, or exploring new regions. We’ll gather suggestions at our next meeting and via any emails for those who can’t attend.

Building the Agenda Together

After we collect input, we’ll organize ideas by location, trip type, and time of year. A blend of close-to-home outings and longer adventures could make next year our best calendar yet.

Beyond Fishing: Ways to Give Back

HCFF also supports conservation projects, river cleanups, youth programs, veterans programs, and more. If you see a need where we can contribute, please bring it up at the meeting.

Can’t Make the Meeting?

If you have suggestions but can’t attend, email any HCFF officer with your ideas.

Join UDWR for Electrofishing on the Lower Provo River

On Monday through Thursday, October 27–30, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) will be electrofishing four sites on the Lower Provo River: Wildwood Tunnels, Railroad Trestle, Deer Creek Dam, and Murdock Diversion (or Canyon View Park near the canyon mouth). Everyone interested in helping or seeing how the fishery is doing is invited to join us for this fun and educational fieldwork!

Use the links below to sign up for each day. This helps ensure we have enough coverage and provides basic participant information for safety purposes. You’ll need your customer ID from your fishing license (or create a new one if you don’t have it). No one will be turned away — the sign-up just helps us balance participation.

• 🗓️ Monday 10/27: Sign up here
• 🗓️ Tuesday 10/28: Sign up here
• 🗓️ Wednesday 10/29: Sign up here
• 🗓️ Thursday 10/30: Sign up here

Daily Details

Monday, Oct. 27: Meet 9:30 AM below the tunnels between the Sundance turn-off and Vivian Park. Park at the tunnels, put on waders, and walk about 300 yards downstream on the river trail. Sampling, measuring, and weighing will continue until roughly 3 PM.

Tuesday, Oct. 28: Meet 9:30 AM at the Railroad Trestle Bridge. Park at the Bear Canyon pull-off along Hwy 189 and walk down to the trestle. Sampling expected to finish by 3 PM.

Wednesday, Oct. 29: Meet 9:30 AM just below Deer Creek Dam near the permanent toilet (turn left off Hwy 189). Sampling continues until around 3 PM.

Thursday, Oct. 30: Meet 9:30 AM below the Murdock Diversion. Park in Canyon View Park (~1 mile up from the canyon mouth). We’ll sample nearby — this reach benefits from an “instream flow” to maintain a healthy fishery in low-flow periods. Sampling ends about 3 PM.

What to Expect

Sampling involves wading 500–600 ft of river per site, making 2–3 passes following the electrofishing equipment. Fish are netted, placed in live wells, then weighed, measured, and released. Expect cold water and some current — chest waders and warm layers are essential. Water and snacks will be provided; bring lunch if desired.

We need about 20–25 volunteers per day to work efficiently. This is a great partnership opportunity for guides, anglers, agencies, and anyone who loves the Provo River. Please share this with others who may be interested!

Electrofishing in action on the Lower Provo River.

Questions? Contact Mike at 801-367-5941.

Thank you for supporting this important work to better understand and protect the Provo River fishery!

As summer temperatures climb, it becomes increasingly important to handle trout with care—minimizing stress and ensuring a swift, gentle release to give the fish the best chance of survival.

The photo shows a CRT – Catch and Release Tool. It was developed by John Schultz after seeing someone at Crittenden Lake in Nevada release fish rapidly using something similar. He came home and made a few prototypes for his fishing friends. After “beta testing” this design on a few of us, we declared it a success. We then made over 500 of them and would give them to anyone we met fishing.

Using this tool, you can fish all day and never touch a fish. No net is needed. Works in stillwater and for stream fishing. There is a two-minute CRT Video on the HCFF website.

Anyone can make this tool! Simple instructions are on the website. You can buy the materials at ACE or any Hardware Store. You may even have the materials in your home shop. The wooden piece can be a 5/8 dowel or a similarly sized piece of wood. It has a cup hook on one end and an eye hook on the other (optional).

This releases handling time to a few seconds, less than five. It is great in the summer for the fish and great for the fisher when the weather and the water get cold, as you don’t get your gloves wet.

Your membership also helps support our political clout in Utah.
When adverse legislative actions are proposed, we ask our TU members to speak up. Legislators listen when there are enough voices.

We don’t know when this offer will end, so register TODAY.