From 09/10/20205
I woke up early in my AirBNB because I couldn’t sleep. Today was the day I was going to fish with Brenden, a Utah Tenkara Guide, in the Salt Lake City area. My plans were scheduled, but loose. I was to fish in the morning until noon for Bonneville Cutthroat and then I would be off to collect some supplies I either forgot or couldn’t fly with. After that, I had a few places marked on the map I wanted to get to and I was not disappointed.
The Morning
The morning hours consisted of breakfast from Einstein’s bagels right and then a quick trek up the creek for some wild Bonneville cutthroat in their native range. Sounds like something I would do, so I did it. I caught wild, native fish!
Utah is my 26th state that I have caught a native fish or any fish for that matter. I am lucky enough to be able to travel via car of plane and put in some foot miles to reach some beautiful fishy spots. I love traveling to fish and this morning fishing session with Brendon was no different.
I would caution people fishing Utah though. I have no been stung since I was a kid, but I was stung by some wasp or yellow jacket. I didn’t stick around to find out and neither did Brenden! We were swarmed after stepping onto a log in the water. We were timid after that with any insect that landed on us. BUT, we survived the Utah bees of 2025. Special thanks to Brenden for flicking the bee from the back of my head and hair. WHEW.
Traveling North
I was told about this “dry magic” that is spectacular at keeping flies high and dry in the water, so I bought some online from a fly shop on the way north towards Idaho. Western Fly Fishers was EXTREMELY welcoming. I bought some flies, picked up my online order, and made sure to ask for local lunch recommendations. I was told about the Red Iguana. I will have to bounce back through there once I get back to SLC.
As I continued North, I stopped at an REI to acquire some jetboil fuel, a lighter, and a carabiner for my Grayl water bottle which I somehow forgot. I didn’t find a cheap lighter, so decided to stop at a gas station on my next top off. These are hopefully all the supplies I need for the rest of my trip here in these big, stunning states.
Some Fishy Stops
In Utah, I ended up stopping where I almost didn’t want to because of wanting to get some good rest at my next fishing destination which was a good 5 hour drive. I didn’t find the natives I had hoped because the road was filled with college students on an assignment, or so it seemed as the dirt road was lined with 5 University logo’d vans and I could see the students in the distance. Of course, because I hadn’t made it past a barrier, I ended up catching some nice sized browns. I thought I might have turned the head of a cutthroat, but I’ll never know as a brown trout ambushed my fly as it darted from the bank as I drifted it on his side of a riffle. Oops!
Onto a smaller creek in Idaho, I ended up hooking into a really colored up, orange brook trout and it released long distance. I was not happy about it as I had read there were cutthroat up there, but I ended up hooking into a cutthroat next and that made me happy.
There was a really beautiful roadside waterway down below where I had last fished. I stopped because I saw fish rising and, of course, more brookies. They were not shy and the rising fish, air temperature, and dragonflies put on a good show as I stood outside and admired my surroundings. It was a nice night to be in nature.
I also ended up fishing in a spot known for Bonneville cutthroat trout in Idaho. This was where I am pretty sure I turned a cutthroat but caught brook trout in the stream instead. I also stopped at the beaver pond and caught some brookies on a huge bug tied by Jonathan Antunez.
Sleep Time
I was going to stay up near the creek in Idaho I was going to catch native bonneville at, but I decided to keep driving until I was too tired since it was a little over two hours to get to the next place I wanted to fish. I noticed my rental truck dash lights don’t fully shut off when I lock the doors. All the other lights go out including the inside dome light and radio. Fingers crossed my battery doesn’t die! All in a fishing trip, I suppose!
I ended up making it to a rest stop in Wyoming with cell service and a bathroom. That makes me feel content for the night. I won’t fish in Wyoming this trip, as I want to save it for when Rachael and I drive West for out big move. This way I can concentrate on Idaho, Montana, and Utah. What an adventure already!
My Tenkara Journey 