Sunrise over HCFF Strawberry Fishout - photo by club member Jennifer Raney

 

Otter Creek/Sevier River Fishout Report – April 24th – 28th





Wednesday Upon arrival at 3:00 PM, John and Susie S were greeted by fierce weather conditions, daunting white caps, making fishing seem daunting.

Thursday: Despite the initial weather setback, Thursday turned out to be a delightful fishing day. Teaming up with Jack C, John and Susie reeled in a whopping 46 Rainbow Trout between them. Susie’s best was a massive 21″ catch, while John managed several at 19″. The fish were notably plump and lively.

Friday: Rain and wind plagued Friday’s expedition, leading Susie to retreat to the truck. Undeterred, John persisted until 1:00 PM, snagging 26 fish, including a notable 20″ catch. Jack, who had landed a remarkable 23″ fish on Wednesday, continued his success with over a dozen catches.

Key Flies: Our successful flies varied; Susie favored the RC Fly on her intermediate line, while John found success  with size 10 dubbed burgundy leech on an Intermediate line, and a brown barred Energizer Bunny on a type 7 line.  Friday, John did well with size 8 Manitoba Minnows on intermediate and type 4 lines, and a size 10 dubbed Midnight Fire leech on an intermediate line.  Jack caught quite a few on Energizer Bunny and White Polar Bunny.

Water Conditions: The lake boasted clear waters with 8 feet of visibility and a temperature of 53 degrees, despite being at full capacity.

Attendees: Devon and Sherry, Gordon, Jen, Pat R., and Carl R joined the group at various times throughout the trip. A few members of Color Country Anglers were able to join us and they caught some really nice rainbows…thanks for the photos!

Campground and Scenery: Despite the turbulent weather, all appreciated the scenic beauty of the campground. Even the journey home, amidst a near hurricane, offered breathtaking sights.

Other Fishing Spots: Exploration of alternative fishing spots like Kingston, Clear Creek, and Marysvale Canyon proved futile due to excessive snow and rain, rendering the fish safe from our hooks, at least for now. River conditions were unfavorable for fishing, forcing us to abandon our plans.

The Otter Creek Fishout proved to be an adventurous escapade filled with triumphs, challenges, and camaraderie, leaving us eager for the next excursion, the Starvation Reservoir Fishout.





 

Starvation Fishout Report – May 22 – 26, 2024


Bill Q's best catch

Bill’s best catch


Bill Q's 23 inch Rainbow

Bill Q’s 23″ Rainbow

We recently held our annual Starvation HCFF Club expedition, spanning from Tuesday to Sunday. The turnout was delightful, with enthusiasts joining for day trips while six couples camped for varying durations throughout the week. The camaraderie was exceptional, though the weather was less than ideal at times.

Weather and Water Conditions

  • Tuesday: High winds discouraged early fishing attempts, but Devon toughed it out and caught a good number of bows.
  • Wednesday: Weather improved significantly, allowing for a full day of fishing. The water temperature ranged from 51°F in the morning to 54°F by late afternoon. Visibility was around 7 feet, except when obscured by white caps.
  • Thursday: Strong winds made fishing challenging.
  • Friday: Weather was fine, and good fishing resumed. The day ended with a happy hour and potluck dinner despite light rain and wind.
  • Saturday: Rain returned, leading most of us to head home. Those who stayed over until Sunday enjoyed good weather and morning fishing.

Fishing Highlights

Best Catches:

  • Jeff Haldeman caught the best fish of the week, a 24-inch rainbow.
  • John Schultz landed a 23.5-inch trout.
  • Multiple anglers caught rainbows in the 22-inch range.
  • The largest catches reported were a 27-inch Brown Trout and a 27-inch Rainbow Trout.
  • Bill Quapp had a notable catch, a 23.5-inch Rainbow Trout, which spiritedly ran off with two-thirds of his backing line.

Variety of Species: Throughout the week, we caught Cutthroats, Rainbows, Browns, Bass, Walleyes, and even an almost Carp.

Techniques and Flies:

Notable Events

Pontoon Boat Experience:

  • A newcomer to pontoon boat fishing lost a fly rod but still managed to catch large trout. Contact Bill Quapp to learn how to make your own fly rod lanyard and avoid such rod loss.
  • Gordon Raney tried a motorized pontoon boat for the first time and, after landing his first 18-inch rainbow, became a pontoon boat convert.

Social Activities:

  • Friday’s potluck dinner was held in my small trailer due to the wind and light rain, with eight people managing to fit inside. Despite the cramped conditions, the event was a success.

Conclusion

The fishing pace wasn’t frenetic, but the catches were of remarkable quality. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the expedition was a memorable experience filled with exceptional catches and great company. We look forward to future expeditions and the continued joy of fishing at Starvation.


John S's 23.5 inch rainbow

John S’s 23.5″ Rainbow


John S's 23 inch rainbow

John S’s 23 inch rainbow

Panguitch Lake Fishout – June 19 – 23, 2024

We had an absolutely unforgettable time at our annual Panguitch Lake Fishout this year!

A total of 16 enthusiastic anglers joined the adventure, with 14 participants gathering for the much-anticipated Potluck dinner event. This year marked a significant change in our experience. Unlike the previous two fishouts that were marred by wind and rain, confining us to a cramped travel trailer, Mother Nature graced us with a perfect outdoor setting. Friday night’s dinner was warm, with just the right touch of breeze to keep things comfortable. It was a culinary extravaganza, overflowing with delectable dishes!

A special shout-out to Devon and Sherry for generously donating a King Salmon fillet. Although they had to leave before the festivities, they left behind a stunning piece of salmon. Susie and I prepared and grilled it to perfection on a cedar plank. The result? An empty platter with no leftovers in sight!

We were also delighted to welcome Sammi and Dave Tall from Ivins. Despite being long-time HCFF members, we don’t get the chance to see them nearly enough, so their presence added a special touch to the event.

As for the fishing – it was simply spectacular! Some found excellent success, while others had a more moderate haul, but we believe everyone landed fish. Reports came in with numbers as high as 50 catches! The average size mirrored last year’s, featuring many “planter” size trout, but the largest fish reported was a robust 19 inches. Most of the catches were fat and sassy, providing a spirited fight!

The top-performing flies were damsel nymph patterns, Quapp’s “Garden Hackle”, an olive and orange seal bugger, and a dragonfly nymph pattern. Susie and I found our best luck using intermediate sinking lines, but my personal record breakers came on a Type 4 line. Fish were caught using various flies and lines, making the experience versatile and thrilling.

Overall, it was a congenial crowd, and we believe everyone had an amazing time. Panguitch Lake remains a stunning spot to camp and fish.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this wonderful outing!

With warm regards,
John and Susie

After departing from Panguitch on Saturday, my wife, Cathe, and I decided to take a scenic detour to Otter Creek for a two-day adventure. Otter Creek State Park provided an excellent setup with great facilities, but the real highlight was the phenomenal fishing! We encountered good numbers of large rainbow trout, each one putting up a powerful fight.

Fishing from a motorized pontoon allowed me to cover substantial distances, maximizing our time on the water. At the end of each day, I conveniently “parked” the boat onshore beside our camper for the night. The fish at Otter Creek were big and strong, providing some of the most exhilarating battles I’ve experienced. Although I fished solo and couldn’t capture any photos, most of my catches measured over 16 inches, with my top three reaching an impressive 20 inches. Watching a 20-inch trout leap three feet out of the water after being hooked delivered an adrenaline rush like no other!

The Garden Hackle once again proved to be the magic fly on both my intermediate and Type 4 lines.

Sincerely,
Bill Quapp

Strawberry Reservoir Fishout – September 8 – 13, 2024

Club President Eric Luna captured the spirit of the event perfectly: “I’m writing this from Strawberry, fulfilling my presidential duties instead of being out there fishing with Schultz and the gang. Yesterday, a few of us fished Renegade, and let me tell you, the lake was on fire! At one point, I had fish on all three flies I was fishing—landing them all was no small feat. If you haven’t fished Strawberry in the Fall, you’re missing out on something truly special.”


Strawberry Fishout Sunrise

Sunrise over HCFF Strawberry Fishout – photo by club member Jennifer Raney

Bill Quapp recounted the finer details of the trip: “We had fourteen dedicated anglers at the Strawberry Campground for two to six days, all eager to experience what this iconic stillwater had to offer. Fishing started early each morning and typically wrapped up around 3:00 p.m. Although there are many fishing options around, this group focused on stillwater, targeting East Portal, Renegade, and Mud Creek. Like clockwork, the ‘breeze’ picked up at 11:00 a.m. daily. On just one occasion, the wind forced us off the lake—but not before everyone had a chance to score double-digit catches!


Frost on the Picnic Table

Frost on the picnic table

The Cutthroats were as impressive as ever, with most measuring between 18 to 20 inches, and a few even larger. The Rainbows, though smaller, packed an incredible punch—an 18-inch Rainbow felt like a ‘rod full.’ We even had reports of a stunning 21-inch Rainbow!


Gordan Raney at Strawberry

Gordan Raney and Bonneville Cutthroat

Our Potluck Dinner was as delightful as the fishing. There was no shortage of food, drink, or laughter, and the evening weather allowed us to dine outside, free from the confines of a small trailer. But Strawberry’s magic doesn’t end at dusk.

By Saturday evening, most HCFF members had packed up, but I stuck around with my son and grandson for a little shore fishing at East Portal. From 5:00 p.m. until dark, the water came alive with rising fish. Big hoppers were the ticket, and my 10-year-old grandson landed his personal best—a beautiful 18-inch Cutt. We even hooked into some feisty Rainbows. Next time, I might just delay happy hour; casting to large, rising fish was an experience worth savoring.”

Club founder Cal Massey also made an appearance, bringing along a couple of Bonneville Fly Fishers. They joined us on Friday at Mud Creek, proving that this is an easy day trip from Salt Lake City or Park City. Of course, no Fishout would be complete without our beloved club mascot, Paco the Fishing Dog, who was always right in the middle of the action.


Paco the Fishing Dog

Paco the Fishing Dog

Slippery Cutthroat Getaway

The 2024 Strawberry Reservoir Fishout was one for the books—great company, fantastic fishing, and memories that will surely bring everyone back next year. If you weren’t there, you truly missed out!

Island Park Fishout – October 3-8, 2024

Island Park Fishout: A Quiet Success Amid Challenging Conditions

Reports from the Island Park Fishout, held in the renowned Golden Circle of Trout Fishing, have been sparse this year. It seems that a mix of challenging conditions—whether it was the unpredictable weather, fluctuating water levels, or the elusive nature of the trout—kept the action quieter than usual. Another possibility is that anglers were so engrossed in their fishing that sharing stories took a backseat. Whatever the reason, this year’s event carried more mystery than fish tales.

“I really wish I had snapped some photos of the Cutthroats swarming around the launch at Henry’s Lake,” said Club President Eric Luna. “They were tough to hook, but I managed to land a few from shore using Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, and Prince Nymphs under an indicator.”

While Eric found success from the shore, others weren’t so lucky. Craig Stone and Jack Campbell spent time in their pontoon boats but reported little luck—if any at all.

Though the event was less attended than in previous years, 10 HCFF members enjoyed the fall beauty of Island Park and some challenging fishing. Stillwater anglers tested their skills at Henry’s Lake and Hebgen Lake, while others ventured to the Firehole and Madison Rivers. The trip’s highlight, aside from the fishing, was the group dinner at Café Sabor, where camaraderie flowed as freely as the margaritas.

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.