Missing the Family Trip

[mkmatheson]

Every August from eight to fourteen of the guys aged now 17-88 head out for five days of trout fishing somewhere in the West. Since we're all from the Salt Lake area, we're in a prime location for exploring from border to border. Past trips have taken us to New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming (many times), Montana, and lots of Utah.

Right now, the crew is out and I'm not able to attend owing to work commitments. So I figure the best thing to do is write something about where they're fishing since the streams are so small--as most of us know--hardly a soul wants to fish there.

They are based at Boulder Mountain in Southern Utah. It is near Capitol Reef National Park and is about four hours drive from Salt Lake and about six from Las Vegas. Boulder Mountain is part of the Dixie National Forest and is a table top mountain of volcanic origin. At over 11,000' above sea level the biggest anomaly are the forests. It is far enough south it's not above timberline, so it is covered with thick stands of pine. The geology also includes dozens of lakes. They are home to some of the largest brook trout in the state and many are walk in only so have a great feel of the wild. The lakes are remarkable and each has its own personality. The real action though is in the streams.

Water falls hard off the Boulder top and there are more than a score of small streams that hold populations of numerous species. The native trout is the Colorado River Cutthroat and you can catch rainbows, brooks, and browns in streams on the mountain. Don't expect large fish, and there is plenty of action through October for brightly colored trout. Mostly, there's a lot of peace and quiet.

If the photos end up attached, you can see one of the fine streams, its resident Colorado River Cut, and the seam holding the creek amidst the desert hills on the slopes of the Boulder top.