Utah's Provo River is an incredible self-sustained Brown Trout fishery with some of the best fly fishing in Utah. In addition to Brown Trout, the Provo River has Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Brook Trout as well. The Provo River originates in the Uinta Mountains just east of Park City, Utah, and makes its way through two major reservoirs on its way to Utah Lake in Provo where it ends the journey. For ease of description, it is divided into three sections; the upper Provo River (everything from Jordanelle reservoir upstream to the headwaters), the middle Provo River (the water from Jordanelle Reservoir downstream to Deer Creek Reservoir), and the lower Provo River (includes everything from Deer Creek Reservoir downstream.)


The Upper Provo River
This section of the Provo River for the most part is free flowing with high spring flows and low fall and winter flows. There are good populations of small brook and cutthroat that eagerly take the fly in the higher reaches in the Uinta Mountains. Summer and fall are the better months to fly fish this section, because winter snow makes access difficult if not impossible, and spring runoff makes it unfishable until early summer. The lower portion of this section, near the small towns of Francis and Woodland can provide good fly fishing with more Brown and Rainbow Trout, but access is difficult due to private land. Access to the river on the upper reaches is easy on National Forest land along the Mirror Lake highway (SR 150). The Upper Provo River ends as it flows into Jordanelle Reservoir near Heber City, Utah. Click here for a current Upper Provo River Fishing Report.


The Middle Provo River
The MIddle Provo is a short 15 mile drive east of Park City on highway 40 with several excellent public access points. This section of river is a tail water which begins as the river flows from Jordanelle dam. This section of the Provo River is relatively new as tail water with Jordanelle Dam completed in 1993. Because of this, the river is still evolving and changing. Since completion of the dam, the river has steadily increased its productivity with consistent minimum flows, and more consistent temperatures. The middle section is cobblestone bottom river with good hatches of oxygen loving insects (caddis & stoneflies). Because of this, good dry fly fishing is a possibility throughout the year. Access to this section is relatively good, predominantly near where various bridges in the Heber valley cross the river. This section is in the midst of a full-scale stream restoration, which will add approximately four miles of river meanders, and much needed in-stream structure. The project is scheduled for completion in 2006. For more information check out our Middle Provo River Fishing Report for a current update and a link to the mitigation commission website. The middle section of the Provo River ends as the river flows into Deer Creek Reservoir.


The Lower Provo River
The Lower Provo River is a canyon tail water, about 45 minutes southeast of Park City along highway 189. This section maintains a healthy population of wild brown trout, with populations of rainbow and cutthroat as well. The tail water is created as the river flows from the depths of Deer Creek Reservoir creating ideal trout habitat. This section is long established tail water with large populations of sow bugs, scuds and midges. Hatches of Blue Winged Olives and midges are prolific in the early season. Pale Morning Duns, Caddis and Little Yellow Stoneflies round out the menu during summer months. The river runs parallel to highway 189 in Provo canyon and access is just a matter of pulling off of the road and walking down to the river. The high quality managed section ends at the lower end of Provo canyon at the Olmstead diversion dam.

Trout Bum 2 fly fishing guides can help you enjoy the challenges and rewards of fly fishing in Utah for smart and strong Provo River Browns, Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brook Trout.
Click here for a current Lower Provo River Fishing Report.


Weber River and Other Local Streams
Click here for a current Weber River Fishing Report
In addition to the Provo River,we have the Weber River, Duchesne River, Currant Creek and the Strawberry River. There are also several other small streams and creeks both on the South slope of the Uinta Mountains and elsewhere - all within a few hours of our fly shop in Park City. Our experienced fly fishing guides can help you find the fish on any of Utah's local streams.


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