photo (opposite page) Andrew Peacock/TandemStock.com
Fishing in Utah doesn’t stop when the mercury drops.
The water most often associated with Utah winter is typically that which is rapidly cooled from a gaseous state. The resultant feathery ice crystals (aka “pow”) are renowned for their low density,great for frolicking about with all manner of planks and webbing strapped to one’s feet. Less heralded during the colder months is the frozen water found atop the state’s abundant rivers and reservoirs. Well-trafficked by boats and swimmers during warm summer days, these bodies of water appear tranquil during the winter.
As it turns out, Utah’s bountiful fisheries are anything but dormant when the temperatures plunge. Tourists, hobbyists and casual enthusiasts may abandon their posts at the end of a rod, but the committed fisherwoman or the visitor with shrewd timing can reap the benefits of uncrowded environments and hungry fish. For those willing to endure the elements, ice fishing and winter fly fishing are full of opportunity.
photo Andrew Peacock/TandemStock.com
Utah Ice Fishing
When I was growing up, I did a little ice fishing on some frozen Midwestern lakes. My version of the activity mostly entailed fruitlessly chipping away at the ice for hours on end before dangling ineffective bait in the water and narrowly avoiding hypothermia. To avoid replicating that nightmare scenario, it’s best to call up Justin Harding at Utah Ice Fishing. Harding takes guests to Rockport Reservoir, just outside of Park City, and does all the heavy lifting to put together an experience far more comfortable, warm and enjoyable than the normal DIY day on the ice.
Eskimo gas-powered augers help guests quickly break the ice and get down to what matters: relaxing in a pleasantly temperate shanty while the fish practically catch themselves. Quickfish three- and six-person ice shanties provide shelter from the elements thanks to propane heaters, snacks and hot chocolate. “The tents are warm enough that people can comfortably take their coats off even when it’s really cold out,” Harding says. “We’ll set up two tip-ups for each person, one inside the shelter and one outside, so people can bounce back and forth or wait in the warmth until they hear the tip up go off.”
Pulling brown and rainbow trout from the water with Utah Ice Fishing is a great activity for families or as a down-day adventure after skiing has turned your legs to Jell-O. Either way, Utah’s abundant sunshine and temperate climes mean ice-fishing season is relatively short, running from mid-January until the end of February, so book your trip soon. Rates start at $95 per person.
“There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing,” says Chad Jaques, owner of Trout Bum 2. “We fish year-round, and November through February is the secret season.” Seasonal anglers typically get started sometime in March, but Trout Bum 2 runs trips through the winter with most of the same offerings as in the summer. Throw in the added bonus of more fish and fewer fishermen to compete with, and Jaques is onto something.
December and January can be brutally cold and the fishing difficult, but late winter and early spring storms coincide with low pressure and abundant insect hatches, so the fish become especially active after a long stretch with minimal food. Most of the trips are half-day affairs since it’s tough to keep your hands warm all day, but Jaques says the reward is more than worth the effort. “If you can endure it, those stormy days have the best fishing all year.”
Trout Bum 2 operates out of Park City with guided trips on the Weber and Provo Rivers, but the real gem of the “secret season” are the trips on the Green River near Flaming Gorge. “On our Green River Floats, it’s unusual to even see other fishermen, so you get to see a lot more wildlife like moose and bald eagles out there, which really adds value.”
Guided winter fly fishing trips start at $275 per person and include everything you need to have a great day on the river without turning into an icicle in the process.
If you've never been to @dokidessert, I can assure you- you're missing out. ⠀
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Doki Doki is one of Salt Lake City’s most authentic Japanese bakeries. And the authenticity shows through their delicately handcrafted pastries and cakes. Plus- fluffy pancakes, can it get any better? ⠀
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Check the link in bio for a fun little write up! ⠀
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Meet 9th & 9th's newest, cutest, tastiest "hole-in-the-wall" (quite literally)! @piefightslc is serving up delicious hand pies packed with flavor 🥊⠀
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You can eat a pie and go for a walk at the same time- who knew?! 🥧⠀
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Check the link in bio for our little review!...
People used to say a group of hobbits smoked their pipe weed and padded around on their furry feet in this little cul de sac off 1300 East near Westminster. Others claimed a family of Little People lived there and would chase away outsiders and curiosity-seekers who happened in.⠀
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But, actually, the eccentric street of tiny houses are on a wooded lot once owned by George Allen, a doctor and animal lover (he was instrumental in founding @hoglezoo and @tracyaviary) He and his family lived in the log cabin and rented out the little houses to students or anyone who wanted to live in such a small space.⠀
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Check the link in bio for full story....
Our Jan/Feb issue is out on stands now! This issue means so much to us. Made with lots of love and tears. We hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it. ❤️...
This is what our NYE looks like. Staying in with a @meat_my_cheese_utah charcuterie board ⭐🤤🥂⠀
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We’re incredibly lucky to have local culinary-craftswomen here in the Salt Lake area, like @mavenoakcreative and @meat_my_cheese_utah. Handcrafting each charcuterie board and box to perfection. Making every stay-at-home birthday, anniversary, date-night and holiday feel that much more elegant. 🧀🍇🥖⠀
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Check the link in bio to meet Salt Lake's artisan charcuterie masters!...
Holding back tears, the owner of our beloved Himalayan Kitchen, Surya Bastakoti, told @fox13now that they "might go out of business" ⠀
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Himalayan Kitchen has long been one of our favorite local restaurants. A trusty go-to for lunch or after work drinks and a heart-warming dinner. A place to bring out-of-towners (veg and vegan friendly) for a special experience only found here in SLC. Always filling, with a true sense of nourishment in every bite. Food to feel good about.
EVERYTHING on their menu is full of flavor and authenticity. Himalayan Kitchen’s cuisine is required to be authentic because it’s a gathering place for the Salt Lake City Nepali and the local climbing community. They know Nepal.⠀
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COVID-19 has completely devastated our local restaurant community—these are our friends and family. Help them out. If you have the means, order something yummy for NYE dinner and support Himalayan Kitchen or any of your favorite local restaurants. ⠀
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Go to saltlakemagazine.com and look in the Eat & Drink section for a list of what restaurants are serving and then make a phone call, order online, etc. ⠀
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Go to the link in bio to order online now!...
Here's one from our upcoming Jan/Feb issue out on stands in just a few days. We hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it.
Mary photobombs Lisa Barlow at the premiere party for Real Housewives of Salt Lake. Below is a snippet from Mary's last editor's letter:
"It’s all a little crazy.
Sometime in 2020, the world stopped making sense for a lot of us. Between one of the ugliest election cycles the U.S. has ever been through and the most mysterious disease most of us have ever experienced, normal was canceled. We can’t get together with friends, hug our loved ones, be in the room with them when they die. But somehow we have to go on, right? Somehow we have to continue to work and love and laugh. This issue of Salt Lake magazine holds a lot of frivolity, the main one being an extremely silly TV show, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. There I am in a pink fur coat in a car with our cover housewife, Lisa Barlow and her boys."
Pick up our Jan/Feb issue at your local grocer and read the full letter. ❤️
Link in bio to subscribe....
Merry Christmas Eve-Eve. We absolutely loved seeing all of your gingerbread homes! Thank you for sharing!⠀
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The winner of a 1 year subscription to Salt Lake mag will be announced in our story!...
Skip the milk and cookies this holiday and leave out something that Santa really wants 🍺😉🎅
Check out our local holiday beer round up for last minute gift ideas! Link in bio!...
Mary's last-minute holiday gift ideas from last year are still as true and relevant today...
"The planet we live with and the creatures on it need all kinds of things. Polar bears need presents, tree frogs in the Amazon need gifts, our Utah canyons and our national parks need help."
Check the link in bio for full write up....
🎶On the LAST day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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$100 to @slcharbor 😋🍪☕️
Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @slcharbor on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the 11th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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$100 to @streuselslc 😋🍪☕️
Streusel Bakery located at 67 w 1700 s! Support local and get pastries, cookies and a little bit of sass at this beautiful judgement free bakery!
Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @streuselslc on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the 10th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1 Free month at Maven Create @mavencreate
Maven Create is a unique, open office space designed to inspire and empower!
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @mavencreate on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the ninth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1 box of @maddoughslc doughnuts for 4 weeks!! 🍩
We’re so excited to have teamed up with @maddoughslc for this awesome giveaway treat! Mad Dough launched back in April! Mad Dough serves up top quality Bismark style doughnuts with flavors inspired by favorite childhood treats 💖 The perfect gift to brighten someone’s day (or brighten your own day)! Support this awesome small business this holiday!
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @maddoughslc on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the eighth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A beautiful essential gift set from the wonderful @acrelyfarms 🌿
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @acrelyfarms on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
There was never a time there wasn’t Mary Malouf. Until now. Today, Mary died when a rogue wave swept her out to sea off the coast of Northern California. Only she – perhaps the world’s foremost lover of Bronte, BBC mysteries and, of course, Moby Dick – would appreciate such poetic drama.
“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.” — Mary Brown Malouf. Ooops. Herman Mellville....
🎶On the seventh day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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⛳️ (2) 9 Hole Rounds at @saltlakecitygolf 🏌️♀️⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @saltlakecitygolf on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Winner announced in the story. see you tomorrow.
🎶On the sixth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🍽️ $100 Gift Card to @la_caille_utah 🥂⠀
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Located at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, La Caille bring us an upscale, French-Belgian restaurant experience.⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @la_caille_utah on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...