What's New
2026 Annual Freeze Your A** Off Report
2026 Annual Membership Report and Trip Survey Results
Christmas Social Report
HCFF featured on KSL Outdoors
Electroshocking Survey with DWR Report
16th Weber River Crossover Installed
HCFF Activity/Fishout Reports
Cal Massey Inducted into Hall of Fame
Provo River Flow Reports
Weber River Flow Reports
CUWCD Reservoirs & Weather
David Whiteman provides a comprehensive
exploration of our home waters,
the Middle Provo:
An Introduction for Fisherman
Video Tour of the Middle Provo River
Macroinvertebrates of the Middle Provo River
Middle Provo River Temperature Study
John Schultz shares two new successful Stillwater Patterns
Chapter 599
Welcome to High Country Fly Fishers
HCFF is a proud Trout Unlimited chapter dedicated to fly fishing, conservation, and community in the scenic beauty of Park City, Utah serving Summit and Wasatch counties. HCFF is a member of the Park City Chamber of Commerce. Since 1989, we’ve been passionate about protecting cold-water fisheries, supporting healthy trout populations, and sharing the art of fly fishing and fly tying. Our club offers hands-on conservation projects with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Trout-in-the-Classroom programs for local students, and monthly fishouts where members enjoy camaraderie and refine their fly fishing skills on some of the region’s best waters. Join us at our our monthly meetings to hear from expert fishing guides, fly tyers, and fisheries biologists from across the West. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting out, HCFF offers friendship, learning opportunities, and memorable fishing adventures. Check our Activities page for details and upcoming events—new members and visitors are always welcome!
Flies & Lies
A friendly get together to tie lies & and maybe tell some lies
If wading water with snow on the banks is not your winter choice, join us for our Saturday Morning Fly Tying Social!
Whether you’re spinning your very first thread wrap or dialing in competition-level patterns, all skill levels are welcome.
This isn’t a formal class or clinic—it’s a relaxed, social tying session where experienced tiers are happy to share tips, tricks, and hard-earned knowledge. Pull up a chair, ask questions, trade stories, and tie at your own pace. Or, just watch.
After we wrap up, we’ll head to Red Rock for lunch and good conversation.
Need gear? HCFF tying equipment is available upon request. Just want to watch, learn, and socialize? That’s encouraged, too. Come for the flies, stay for the camaraderie.
For more info or to RSVP, contact Jack Campbell (435) 640-0766 or John Schultz.
February Meeting
February Meeting
Wed, Feb 4th, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
February Meeting – Feb 4, 2026
Rebeca Granillo has put together a fun presentation about the history of women in fly fishing. Rebeca is a local guide with 15 years of experience, the owner of Immerse Fly Fishing, and is also the founder of The Wasatch Women’s Fly Fishing Club.
Join us for an evening of looking back in history at the accomplishments and strides women have made in our industry from all corners of the world.
Strawberry Report – January 19, 2026
Cold Morning, Slow Bite, Good Company, Good Times!
We (Jack C. and Don S.) headed out around 9:45 a.m. It was 24°F when we arrived, with water temperatures at 33–34°F and about 8 feet of visibility. There was ice along the water’s edge at the ramp, but plenty of open water remained.
My first—and only—grab on the intermediate line came on a Chinchilla with Peas and Carrots. After that, I switched to a Type 4 line with a Chinchilla tied with olive Estaz and picked up a few fish fishing about two-thirds of the way out. After that, things went quiet. We marked a lot of fish in the 20–30 foot range, so I eventually let the Type 4 all the way out and had some limited success.
Jack hooked a couple of fish on Gene’s Perch using his Type 4 line, but it still didn’t feel like we had cracked the code. I then switched to an Energizer Bunny on my Type 4 line and immediately started getting better action. At that point, I retired the intermediate line entirely, moved to a Type 7 line with an Energizer, and stuck with that setup for the rest of the day. Don followed suit and began catching fish on an Energizer as well, and Jack also had some success with it.
Overall, it was a fairly slow day. We wrapped up around 2:30 p.m. with about 24 fish landed between the three of us. Jack landed a thick 20-inch cutthroat. My best fish were a 19-inch rainbow and a 19-inch cutthroat, with my smallest fish coming in at roughly 14 inches.
Despite the modest fishing, the conditions were outstanding. I never put my gloves on and didn’t zip up my jacket until about 12:30, when a light breeze picked up. It was a gorgeous day on the water—even if the fishing could have been better.
Annual Freeze Your A** Off – Jan 10, 2026
The annual winter gathering was held at Hub Café in Heber on January 10, 2026. The day began cold, with morning temperatures around 12°F, but warmed into the mid-30s by afternoon under bright, sunny skies.
Attendance was strong, with 32 participants representing a wide range of fly-fishing organizations, including Bonneville Flyfishers, High Country Fly Fishers, Stone Fly Society, Utah Women Fly Fishers, Wasatch Women’s Fly-Fishing Club, Utah Stream Access Coalition, and Heber Valley Fly Casters, along with several guest anglers.
Following a hearty breakfast and plenty of good conversation, participants chose either to head home or take advantage of the conditions and fish. Those who opted to fish visited the Charleston Bridge and River Road access points on the Middle Provo River, both just a short drive from the café.
Fishing activity was limited at both locations, with anglers finding success primarily on scuds and midges. Both rainbow and brown trout were landed, though no significant hatches were observed during the day.
A sincere thank-you goes out to all who participated, and to the Hub Café for once again supporting this annual tradition—an excellent way to kick off another fishing season together.
Buffalo Midge Day on the Middle Provo River
Join HCFF’s Walk & Wade Society February Outing
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Late winter on the Middle Provo River offers one of the most exciting and reliable dry-fly opportunities of the year—the Buffalo Midge Hatch. As water temperatures climb into the low 40s, trout often rise eagerly to feed, creating classic surface action that rivals spring hatches.
We’re planning a club fishing day to be on the water when it happens.
Why this day matters
The Buffalo Midge hatch is short-lived, weather-dependent, and highly anticipated. When it comes off, the river can light up with steady risers and confident eats—often in the middle of winter. It’s one of those days where timing, observation, and good presentations are rewarded.
What to expect
- Late-morning to early-afternoon action as water temperatures rise
- Opportunities for true winter dry-fly fishing
- Trout feeding on emergers and adults in the surface film
- A great chance to fish alongside fellow club members and share insights
Gear & prep notes
- Midge dries and emergers, typically sizes 16–18
- Long leaders with light tippet (6X–7X recommended)
- Be ready to adjust—hatches often come in waves
- Cold-weather layers and waders strongly advised
- Check out YouTube Videos on the Buffalo Midge Hatch
The plan
Sign-up and the Safari Leader will provide the specifics via email.
If you’ve ever wanted to see trout rising in February—or you already know how special this hatch can be—this is a day you won’t want to miss. Join us on the water and let’s see if the Buffalo Midges show up right on cue.
Contact Pat Ronneburg if you’d like to help out or have questions.
It’s Over, but it will be remembered
Check out the HCFF Christmas Social
Wasatch Expo April 9, 10, 11, 2026
One of our major activities each year is the Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo, which features 100 exhibitors, 50 fly tyers, educational workshops, casting demos, raffles, silent auctions, and other activities for children and adults. HCFF has participated in planning and conducting the Expo for over 10 years.
Adam Eakle, one of our greatest supporters and host of “KSL Outdoors,” a weekly TV show, featured High Country and the Expo on his December 6, 2026, episode, “Strawberry Stillwater with High Country Fly Fishers.”
The Expo is a joint venture of four Trout Unlimited chapters and two Fly Fishers International chapters, with net proceeds going to support fisheries-related conservation, education, and outreach.
HCFF members hold leadership positions in the joint venture. If you would like to assist in the planning of the Expo, please contact Eric Luna or Bill Quapp. Specific skills needed are project management, audio/video setup, and website support.
Conservation Update
Trout Unlimited Embrace-a-Stream Opportunity
HCFF has been awarded $10,000 for our Embrace a Stream (EaS) grant submission to rehab Soapstone Creek, which is tributary of Upper Provo, after 2024 Yellow Lake Wildfire in Heber-Kamas Ranger District.
50% Discount for new Trout Unlimited Membership
Click the button below to receive a 50% first-time discount on your first year of Trout Unlimited membership.
With your membership, you’ll enjoy a subscription to Trout magazine, discounts on travel and fishing gear, and many other valuable benefits.
Your membership also helps support our political clout in Utah.
When adverse legislative actions are proposed, we ask our TU members to speak up. Legislators listen when there are enough voices.
As always, thank you for your support.