The Beehive State: Part Six Southbound

June 9, 2021

Morning was extremely cold considering we were accustomed to some really hot days on this trip.  I woke early and made a cup of tea to warm up.  I made a small fire to try keep warm but I end up extinguishing it after realizing in these winds it wasn't a good ideal.

Chul made a simple breakfast of Korean instant ramen with hard boiled eggs and sausage.  Then we packed up and to scout another section of undiscovered part of the creek.  We tried to hike into a meadow section but realized that without a well maintained trail it was more effort than it was worth.

So we canceled that plan half way down and began fishing of way back upstream.  Once the sun warmed the water fishing picked up considerably.  Fish were still willing to take any well presented fly.

Fishing was fantastic all morning and most fish were tigers with a mix of cutthroats.  Several larger models decided to show and take our dries this day.  I gave Chul the hole I caught a nice hog last year but he blew the opportunity after spooky it.  No matter he manage more than a few more than respectable tigers on the way out.  After a few hours of fishing we headed further south.

In these more rural sections of Utah finding a gas station can be problematic.  We decided not to detour a bit to get gas at the nearest town since it was out of the way.  There were towns on the way we were heading so we figured there must be a gas there.  We were wrong.  We barely found a gas station in time before running out.  Luckily it was not Sunday otherwise this station would have been closed and without self pay stations we would have been in quite a pickle.

We fished one of the southern most trout rivers in Utah for a couple hours.  I'd catch fish in the 10-12 inch range but did see one that was over 18 inches.  I spooked it while walking the banks of a stretch of frog water.

We made our way toward town of Bryce for our next destinations, the National Parks.  The night was spent in the Dixie National Forest after searching for a long time for a proper campsite.  Once we did Chul pulled out the small grill to make chili and grilled hotdogs before hitting the pillow.

The Beehive State: Part Five Where Dinosaurs Once Roamed Then Small Creekin'

June 10, 2021 

Last night we began our journey home.  We found a beautiful campsite off the road that Steve told us.  It gave us a nice view of the valley.  It was still relatively early and we debated whether to make dinner or go into town and get something.  After much deliberation we opted for laziness and go to the restaurant at the resort.  We simply didn't want to pull out the camp kitchen and then clean.  So we left the campsite to eat.  When we came back our site was occupied and had to find a new spot.  As we were losing light, we found an spot and made camp.

 

In the morning I was awoken from two fawn and a spike.  We bypassed breakfast and made our way to Vernal. From there we took a detour to check out Dinosaur National Monument on the Utah side.  We added this to the trip because we'd unlikely ever be in this part of the country ever again.

Covid protocols were in place and access was limited.  We got there early and waited for the shuttle to take us up the hill to the quarry exhibit hall.  The sight was interesting but I not sure I'd ever visit again or recommend it as destination.  I suppose if you're in the neighborhood its probably worth detouring to check it out but I wouldn't plan an entire trip around it.  After checking out the hall we took the outside trail to check out the petroglyphs.  By this time it was hot.  Really hot.  It was time to go.

Before the trip began Chul knew of a burger joint that we could have checked out when we reached Vernal.  I wasn't in the mood for a sit down restaurant and simply wanted to get some food in the stomach and go after all we had a long ride ahead of us.  We wanted to make up as much ground as possible as the trip was nearing an end.  After some internet searching we found Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.  I checked out the website and saw that it was similar to Ruby's diner like we have here in SoCal but in a fast food setting.  So we checked it out.  In my opinion this is place is probably the best fast food burger in America.  Yes it's better than In-N-Out.  I was some impressed after finishing my Original and California burgers we ordered another.

Once we finished lunch we took to the road trying to cover as much mileage as possible.  We considered checking out Lower Fish Creek in the hopes of the fires being extinguished.  But after checking the fire reports on the internet it only got worse.  So we bypassed the area to head further south.  Smoke haze filled the air and caused traffic most of the drive. We would see hotshots lined up along the highway prepping for their assault.

After a few hours we would end up at one of our favorite small creeks but this time we would check out different sections than we normally fish.  Access was a bit more complicated as we would have to find an area to crawl under some cattle fences.

Fishing was slow at first and we were disappointed with the area but was we moved further in the fishing began to pick up.  First we caught dink cutthroat and as we moved deeper into the river the fishing got better with larger Tigers as our reward.  The sun was starting to set and we wanted to make sure we could find our entry point as it was the easiest spot to crawl under and not tear ourselves part from the barbed wire.

With headlamps on we got back to camp with the sun setting.  Too tired to cook we pulled out the emergency rations of freeze dried foods.  Night was windy and cold.  This would be the coldest night of the trip and we were unaccustomed to such temps after spending the last few days in near 100 degrees.  We would have one last full day before the trip would end but we wouldn't spend it fishing.

The Beehive State: Part Four Green River Cicada Hatch

 June 9, 2021

After Steve told us how good the cafe's food was we decided to start the day there and eat breakfast. The restaurant was now owned by a Korean woman and the menu now had a mix of Korean and western cuisine.  Some items are off menu items and we order the bibimbap with homemade kimchee.  I've never been much a fan of Korean food but this was excellent and good way to start the morning before we hiked down to the dam and A section.  Food was good so we ordered sandwiches to go for later. 

Parking lot was 70% filled when we arrived.  The we met a guy from Colorado and chatted with him for a while and noticed he had no water with him.  So we handed him a couple bottles before we started our way down the trail.  Fishing began at the dam and we fished there a couple hours.  I had a couple takes but none were hooked up. 

After unsuccessful attempts we hiked further downstream.  Fish were abundant and easily seen on the shore.  We didn't need to move far from the banks to make our presentations.  But no matter how many drifts these trout simply refused just about everything.  In the gin clear water they would come up and inspect it, act as if they'd take, but would simply turn away.  I even saw fish refuse real cicada.  How the hell are you supposed to trick a fish with an artificial if the real deal bug does entice them?

We went in a few miles and by lunch no fish were caught.  So we started to head back upstream.  The weather changed, sun sun started to poke through and winds dies.  This is when the fishing began to pick up for me.  Caught all my fish on the way back in the swifter currents.  Managed a few more at the dam before calling it quits for the day.  Cory was supposed to meet up with us today but had to cancel due to family obligations.  He offered to meet us tomorrow but our plans were to start making our way south after this day.  I told him we may or may not stay depending on how well the fishing goes. Since the fishing wasn't great we decided not to stay and began our push south.

The Beehive State: Part Three Green River

June 8, 2020

As usual when I camp I woke up early around 5am and watch the sunrise I'd wait for Chul to wait before making breakfast.  With leftover beans and tortillas and fearing they would spoil I made shrimp burritos.

Around the camp the soil was littered with cicada shucks.  It was a good indicator that we'd be fishing cicada patterns.  Having never fished these bugs I was excited to finally catch a fish on a cicada pattern. 

We headed back to speak with Steve and buy some more supplies.  With his guidance we chose to hike in and fish the first day at the B section. 

The trail wasn't bad.  There was some elevation gain but nothing too serious.  While the hike wasn't too bad the heat made it slightly unpleasant.  When we reached the water fish were easily sighted.  As per its reputation fish were in the 18 or so inch class.  Those first fish would refuse all our offerings so we hiked upstream to find some willing ones.

Chul would be the first to get one to hit his cicada.  All the fish we caught were solid.  Luc had warned me prior to coming that these fish don't fight.   He wasn't wrong.  We found that these fish would give a short run and then just let you land them.

After reaching the parking lot we would make sandwiches for lunch and cool down in the shade.  We'd go back to Trout Creek to chat up Steve so we could wait out the heat in the air conditioned cafe.  After a couple hours we decided to head up to the Resort for dinner.

Dinner was good and one of the better meals I've had in Utah.  After the meal we'd have ice cream at the shop.  With a few hours of light left we fished A section for the evening until dark.  Fishing was tough this evening.  We'd end up without a bite all night. 

The Beehive State: Part Two Small Creeks

 June 7, 2021

Our next destination was on Chul's agenda to fish dries on a some small creek.  Fished the morning until lunch and caught more than our share of fish.  Good times fishing with dry flies.

After a riverside lunch it was time to head further north to our ultimate destination Flaming Gorge and the Green River.  We'd stop at the Fly Shop at Flaming Gorge Resort for flies and information.  I picked up a map of the river and started documenting all the info the staff was giving us.  We picked up various cicada patterns and started down toward Dutch John.

On the way we'd stop at Trout Creek Flies as well.  There I'd recognize Steve Oualline who I knew back in his days as the manager of Bob Marriott's.  I didn't realize he worked there so I was quite surprised.  After chatting and getting more info he let us know of a good camping spot nearby.  We left the shop and headed to the river to check it out.  We didn't fish and went back to camp to make dinner, pork chile verde with refried beans and avocado.