by ETHAN SCOTT
ethan@du2.byu.edu
It may look like a desert, but the area around Provo is chock-full of fishing opportunities.
There are at least 147 fishable bodies of water within a two-hour radius of Provo, said Paul Figgate, the manager of Anglers' Inn, a tackle shop in Orem.
'We have everything from bank fishing with bait to world-class fly fisheries,' he said.
There is also a wide variety of fish to go after. The area around Provo contains fisheries for everything from cold water trout to warm water bass.
Gathering useful information is the first step toward planning a successful fishing trip. Calling a fishing shop is one good way to find out what fish are biting.
The Internet is another resource to find out where to go and what bait to use. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources compiles an updated list of fishing conditions at http://nr.state.ut.us/dwr/!fishing.htm.
Another pair of Utah fishing Web sites include space for anglers to share their successful fishing techniques. Fishwest can be found at http://www.fishwest.net/utah and Fishfinder can be found at http://www.utahfishfinder.com/.
After the research is done, the fishing is just a few minutes away. Weekend fishing trips are one way to go, but good fishing spots are close enough to Provo that evening and afternoon fishing is also a possibility.
With eight popular fishing destinations within a half hour of Provo, getting out to fish in the fresh air doesn't require much traveling.
Utah Lake
While Utah Lake is one of the closest and most easily accessible places to fish, it is largely untapped, Figgate said. Utah Lake is a warm-water fishery with large and smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill and catfish being common. Jigs, plastics, trolling and bait can work, but what the fish are biting changes over time. It's good to find out what's working before heading out, Figgate said.
Tibble Fork Reservoir
Tibble Fork Reservoir, up American Fork Canyon, is a good place for trout fishing. Flies, spinners, Powerbait, worms and marshmallows can all work well.
Payson Lakes
The fishing at Payson Lakes is similar to Tibble Fork Reservoir. Both places have similar kinds of fish. Flies, spinners, Powerbait, worms and marshmallows also work well at Payson Lakes. Payson Lakes has an asphalt trail around the lake, so the entire lake is wheelchair accessible.
Deer Creek Reservoir
Warm and cold-water varieties of fish inhabit Deer Creek Reservoir. Bass and some walleye are plentiful in most areas of the reservoir, while trout are mostly found near the area where Provo River dumps into the reservoir. Bass can be caught with jigs, spinners and trolling. Jigs, flies and bait work well for trout.
Jordanelle Reservoir
Jordanelle Reservoir also includes places to fish for both bass and trout. Flies, jigs and spinners work well for bass. Fly fishing for trout can be good at Rock Cliffs, an area closed to water-skiers and jet-skiers.
Provo River
The Provo River is one of the top five fisheries in the nation for brown trout, Figgate said. People come from all over the world for fly fishing in the river.
What the fish are biting varies during the year, so it is best to check for information at a fishing store or on the Internet before going. Above the Olmstead Dam, only artificial bait can be used. Below Olmstead, live bait is allowed.
American Fork River
The American Fork River drops rapidly in elevation, so it flows swiftly. Worm and salmon eggs work well, as do flies. Nymphs and dry flies can be used, depending on what insects the fish are feeding on.
Hobble Creek
Although the proximity of Hobble Creek makes it a popular place to fish, Figgate said the stream is more of a place for advanced anglers. Hobble Creek is a small stream that plenty of fishers visit. The quality of the fishing generally depends on water levels. Worms and flies usually work best.