High Country Fly Fishers Activities

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 High Country Fly Fishers), 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 patronneburg@msn.com
High Country Fly Fishers, Board Member, 2025

This list is your direct pipeline to insider tips, updates, and events focused solely on river fly fishing. Expect valuable info from the group leader, tailored to your passion, delivered only when something exciting surfaces. No inbox overflow here!.

This list is your direct pipeline to insider tips, updates, and events focused solely on stillwater fly fishing. Expect valuable info from the group leader, tailored to your passion, delivered only when something exciting surfaces. No inbox overflow here!.

We regret to inform you that the May Fly Fishing Clinic has reached full capacity. However, we’d be happy to add you to our waitlist. In the event of a cancellation, we will promptly notify you. Additionally, please be assured that we plan to offer the Fly Fishing Clinic again next year.

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

Frequency: Weekly on Saturday, 3 times

Location: Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 1505 White Pine Canyon Rd, Park City, UT 84060, USA

High Country Fly Fishers’ beginner fly-tying course is designed to teach you the basics of fly tying. Although we supply all equipment and materials, you are welcome to bring your own vise and tools if you like.

You will learn to tie several versatile patterns, such as the woolly bugger and hare’s ear nymph, which you will get to take with you to try on the water.

Enrollment is limited to 10 students so that we may provide one-on-one instruction. If the class is sold out when you try to register, please sign up on the Beginner Fly Tying Class – Wait List.

Classes will be held three consecutive Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon. Room 103A&B

The club will provide fresh coffee and breakfast pastries.

The cost is $125 per person.

If you have any questions, call Todd at 801-319-2769 or email him at johnsonflyfishing@gmail.com.

When: Mar 15 – 16, 2024

Where: South Towne Exposition Center, 9575 State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA (map)

Description: The Wasatch Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo is a great show where noteworthy fly tyers from around the western states gather to demonstrate their skills, equipment vendors show the best of their products, and guide services and fishing lodges show you what fishing opportunities are in their locales.

The Expo features classroom and on-the-water workshops on such topics as Euro nymphing, wet fly and streamer fishing, beginner women’s fishing, rod building, and many more. Click here for a list of offerings.

The Stonefly chapter of Trout Unlimited sponsors the Expo. HCFF supports Stonefly in this event in a variety of ways. We need volunteers to help sell raffle tickets, conduct the silent auctions, and do other tasks as needed. You may volunteer for a half-day, a full day, or both days. It is a fun event, and you will meet some of the West’s best fly fishers.

Admission to the Wasatch Expo

• Adults ages 16 and up:
  • One-day Pass, Price Online $8 – Price at the Door $10
  • Two-Day Pass, Price Online $14 – Price at the Door $16
• Ages 15 and under are free with a paying adult.

Click here to buy online tickets.

The Wasatch Expo is a cornerstone of High Country Fly Fishers’ community engagement efforts. By graciously volunteering our time, we secure a share of the event’s proceeds, vital for sustaining our activities. Your participation is crucial! Join us by signing up today and contribute to our cause. Together, we can make a difference!

Where:Otter Creek State Park, 22 UT-22, Antimony, UT 84712, USA (map)

Description

Otter Creek Reservoir is a beautiful fishing destination at an elevation of 6,372′. It is an easy 3.5-hour drive from Park City with no mountain passes to cross, and it is known for its abundance of healthy rainbow trout.

The nearby East Fork of the Sevier River provides excellent fishing as well. The Kingston Canyon section below Otter Creek Reservoir (another great fishing destination) is a fine tailwater fishery.

Here is a video from KSL Outdoors: YouTube.

Year-round fishing and boating on the 3,120-acre reservoir are the park’s featured activities, along with convenient access to three ATV trails, including the popular Paiute ATV Trail. During the spring and fall, many types of birds pass through Otter Creek on their journey along the Pacific Migratory Bird Flyway.

Facilities:

The Otter Creek State Park Campground is located on the southern end of the reservoir along the shoreline. RV hookups are available. They do not take reservations until May, so it is walk-up only.

Nearby Attractions:

• Piute State Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park

Motorboats are allowed on the lake, but, as you know, most of our crew fish from motorized kickboats. Fishing from shore is excellent in many parts of the lake, including near the campground. Trolling and stripping streamers, and indicator fishing with chironomids are the recommended methods.

We will host a potluck dinner at least once during the trip.

Sign up on the HCFF website. There is no cost for the trip.

For more information, contact Eric Luna at eluna@bonairfinancial.com.

When: Tue, May 14, 6pm – 8pm

Where: Keller Williams Real Estate Office,1750 Sun Peak Drive, Park City, UT 84098 (map)

Description: This three-day clinic is an introduction to fly fishing. Space is limited as we try to pair each student with an individual instructor.

Day 1 – Class instruction covering tackle, entomology, reading the water and other essential subjects. You will also have an opportunity to place an order for a highly discounted fly fishing rod, a real, and fly line combo at that time. This class runs from 6 pm to about 8 pm.

Day 2 – Casting clinic at the Deer Valley ponds. We provide all the gear but bring your own if you like. This class runs from 6 pm to about 8 pm.

Day 3 – Fishing at one of our local rivers or lakes. As before, we will pair you with an experienced angler and provide all equipment. We’ll rendezvous at the Smith’s parking lot in Park City and carpool to the selected water. We leave at 8 a.m., so don’t be late. The cars will return around 3 pm but it can be later.

Enrollment is limited to 20 students so that we may provide a personal training experience. If the class is sold out, please consider signing up on the Beginner Fly Fishing Clinic in May – Wait List.

The $125 fee includes this calendar year’s membership in HCFF, so after you pay for the clinic, please visit our Join HCFF page and provide your contact information so we can add you to our roster and keep you informed about all our activities and programs.

Email Larry Finch if you have questions at Finch_Bird@yahoo.com.

Where: Keller Williams Real Estate Office, 1750 Sun Peak Drive, Park City, UT 84098 (map)

Description: This three-day clinic is an introduction to fly fishing. Space is limited as we try to pair each student with an individual instructor.

Day 1 – Class instruction covering tackle, entomology, reading the water and other essential subjects. You will also have an opportunity to place an order for a highly discounted fly fishing rod, a reel, and fly line combo at that time. This class runs from 6 pm to about 8 pm.

Day 2 – Casting clinic at the Deer Valley ponds. We provide all the gear but bring your own if you like. This class runs from 6 pm to about 8 pm.

Day 3 – Fishing at one of our local rivers or lakes. As before, we will pair you with an experienced angler and provide all equipment. We’ll rendezvous at the Smith’s parking lot in Park City and carpool to the selected water. We leave at 8 a.m., so don’t be late. The cars will return around 3 pm but it can be later.

Enrollment is limited to 20 students so that we may provide a personal training experience. If the class is sold out, please consider signing up on the Beginner Fly Fishing Clinic in June – Wait List.

The $125 fee includes this calendar year’s membership in HCFF, so after you pay for the clinic, please visit our Join HCFF page and provide your contact information so we can add you to our roster and keep you informed about all our activities and programs.

Email Larry Finch if you have questions at Finch_Bird@yahoo.com.

We regret to inform you that the June Fly Fishing Clinic has reached full capacity. However, we’d be happy to add you to our waitlist. In the event of a cancellation, we will promptly notify you. Additionally, please be assured that we plan to offer the Fly Fishing Clinic again next year.

Where: Panguitch Lake North Campground, UT-143, Panguitch, UT 84759, USA (map)

Description: The word “Panguitch” means “big fish” in the local Paiute language, and the lake is full of them. Club members have reported 50-fish days, with a number of big rainbows, tigers, and cutts. Lake fishing is best accomplished with a kickboat, float tube, kayak, or powerboat. Many club members use a motorized Kickoat.

Panguitch Lake, located 270 miles south of Park City, is convenient to a number of national parks and monuments, including Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante, Cedar Breaks, and Zion.

Most of our group stays at the forest service’s Panguitch North Campground, which has numerous RV spaces but the reservable ones fill up early. There are also cabins and full-hook-up RV spaces available at the Panguitch Lake Resort, and other resorts around the lake, as well as abundant vacation rentals that some members have rented in past years.

Current Conditions: http://www.sevierriver.org/reservoirs/panguitch-reservoir/

We will host an informal gathering on Friday night and will communicate details to those who sign up. Generally, this is a potluck dinner where you bring your main dish and a side dish to share. BBQ grills will be available. Cocktail hours occur nightly. Cell service in the area is nearly non-existent.

The Safari Leader for this outing is John Shultz. You can contact him via email at schultzjohn356@gmail.com.

When: Jul 18 – 22, 2024

Where: Alpine, WY 83128, USA (map)

Description: Alpine Wy is four hours from Park City and 45 minutes south of Jackson Hole, WY.

The Greys River runs into the Snake River at Alpine, with 50-plus miles of access up the forest road. Many small tributaries run into the Greys. It is in the Bridger National Forest and runs down a beautiful Valley with many primitive camping opportunities. Greys River Sports can help you with flies and techniques to help you be successful. They are located on Greys River Rd. just off the main highway.

The Salt River follows SR 89 into Alpine from the south. It flows through the town of Afton. This river is accessed better by Boat; many outfitters offer guided trips; try Salt River range Outfitters Float Fishing Adventures, or Feathered Hook to arrange a day of floating this incredible river.

There are numerous Hotels and VBROs in and around Alpine Wy some are The Flying Saddle Resort and Bull Moose Lodge and Saloon.

Campgrounds are Wapiti Village RV Park, Aspen Grove RV Park, Alpine Valley RV Resort, and many more.

Besides fishing, there is much to do in the area, including Hiking, biking, and a day trip to Jackson Hole.

When:Canceled

Where:Green River, Ut

Description:TBA

When: Wed, September 4, 2024, 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: 35 Rotary Park, Payday Dr, Park City, UT 84060, USA (map)

Description:

The HCFF Steak Fry is one of our most popular events. This is a time to meet and visit with old and new members. You are encouraged to bring your spouse or significant other. All social talk – no fish talk!

You bring your own meat, fish, or chicken and a side dish to share. We will supply bottled water, hot charcoal grills, paper plates, cups, napkins, salt & pepper, and some other items. The grills will be ready around 6:30.

Your side dish can be a salad, a hot side dish, or a dessert. If you want an adult beverage, bring the one of your choice. We will have a corkscrew if you need one.

While the days may be warm, the location for this event is in the shadow of the mountain and it can get very chilly in the evening.

Larry Finch is the Safari Leader again for this event. You can call him at 435-640-4213 if you have any questions.

Contact: finch_bird@yahoo.com

Where: Strawberry Bay Campground Loop C, FR452, Utah, USA (map)

Description: Strawberry Reservoir is best known for its abundant supply of large Cutthroat trout — a past president of HCFF caught a 28-inch Cutt — and it also has hard-fighting Rainbows, occasionally up to 20 inches. This outing will be held in the early fall when the days are warm and the nights are crisp. After Labor Day, the crowds are smaller, and camping is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Strawberry Reservoir is most often fished from a boat or other floating craft; however, this time of year some folks have found dry fly fishing from the shore very productive. They are fishing over weed beds with hoppers of other large attractors. Stillwater fishing requires some of John Schultz’s flies, and we will tell you more as the year progresses. If you are a fly tier, you can find some of John’s favorite flies on our website Fly Tying Videos page. Sign up now on our Activity Sign Up page.

If someone in your group likes the water but does not fish, canoeing or kayaking are good alternatives.

The HCFF Sarafi Leader is planning to camp in the Strawberry Bay Campground Loop C, but that could change if it is filled or closed when he arrives. In 2021, all sites were available if empty on arrival after Labor day. Loop A is not reservable all year so if there is a space, you can grab it. All campsites at Strawberry are suitable for camping from tents, trailers, or RVs. There are flushable toilets and water faucets near many campsites for filling your RV. Water and electric hookups are only available in Loop B.

Current Weather Conditions: https://www.weatherforyou.com/report/strawberry+reservoir-ut-hourly

Bill and his wife Cathe will help you have a good time. There will be a potluck group dinner on Friday night, and a cocktail hour nearly every night. If you have questions, you can contact Bill at 435-503-6558 or at bill@quapp.com.

When: Oct 3 – 8, 2024

Where: Island Park, ID, USA (map)

Description: High Country Fly Fishers will return to Island Park for our seventh annual fish out.

There are a large number of lodging options in this area. The Lakeside Lodge, located 320 miles north of Park City, has rooms, cabins, RV spaces, dry camping sites, a restaurant, and a bar. The Sawtelle Mountain Resort also has rooms, cabins, and RV spaces and is perhaps more conveniently located to fishing destinations to the north. Camping options are numerous around Island Park; however, at this time of year, it can be very cold or unseasonably warm.

Fishing opportunities in the Island Park area include the Henry’s Fork, the Warm River, Henry’s Lake, Sheridan Lake, and numerous creeks and streams. A few miles up the road is West Yellowstone, with even more lakes and rivers, including the Madison and Firehole Rivers. Hebgen and Quake Lakes are in nearby Montana.

If you are interested in potentially floating one of the rivers with a guide, we encourage you to contact Henry’s Fork Anglers or Trout Hunter. Both shops have supported HCFF with speakers and donations and are sure to tell them that HCFF appreciates their support.

Be aware that depending on where you fish, you may need multiple fishing licenses. Island Park is in Idaho, and other waters like Hebgen and Quake Lakes are in Montana. Yellowstone National Park, while it spans land in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho requires its own license. So, make sure you have the correct fishing licenses for the waters you intend to fish.

Other group activities may be added, and you will be notified via email.

When: Wed, December 4, 2024, 6pm – 9pm

Where: Sun Peak Recreation Center, 1950 Bear Hollow Drive, Park City, Utah 84098 (map)

Description: Toast the holidays at the High Country Fly Fishers Christmas Party.

It’s a potluck, so please bring a main dish, side dish, appetizer, salad, or dessert to share with your fellow revelers. You should bring your own adult beverage. HCFF will have water for you.

The highlight of the evening is the White Elephant Gift Exchange, so bring a wrapped gift with a suggested value of around $15 to $20 if you would like to participate. If there is more than one member of your party who would like to participate, bring a gift from each. Both gag and traditional gifts are appropriate. You never know what you will go home with. It can be your own gag gift.

Gift ideas to help your imagination – a bottle of whisky, a bottle of premium red wine, fly fishing tools, artwork, a great book on fly fishing, fishing supplies, fishing gloves, classic coffee mugs, ice cleats for the snow, shoveler, etc.

We recommend the following schedule to help distribute the food, but, of course, if you have a special dish that you enjoy, you’re welcome to bring it.

• A-F: Main Dish
• G-M: Dessert
• N-S: Appetizer
• T-Z: Salad or Side Dish

Sign up now on our Activity Sign Up page.

If you have any questions, call Todd or Jen at 801-319-2769 or email him at johnsonflyfishing@gmail.com.