Sunrise over HCFF Strawberry Fishout - photo by club member Jennifer Raney

 

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!

May Meeting
Wed, May 7th, 6pm – 9pm
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church
1505 White Pine Canyon Rd
Park City, UT 84060, map

May 2025 Meeting

Derick Roskelley

Fishing the Lower Weber

Derick Roskelley

Derick Roskelley

Derick Roskelley, aka “Skelly,” will tell us about
fishing the Lower Weber River. He grew up in Mountain Green and has a deep passion for the Lower Weber River, which is everything below Echo Reservoir.

He started fishing with spin baits alongside his dad, but once he discovered the thrill of throwing streamers and witnessing those explosive strikes, he was hooked—literally and figuratively.

Derick founded 801FlyFishing and has been guiding on the Lower Weber ever since, sharing his love for the river with others.

 

 

 

📍 Follow him on social media:
📸 Instagram: @801flyfishing
📘 Facebook: 801 Fly Fishing

 

Win a half-day guided trip for one or two anglers on the Weber River

Online Ticket Sales Close at 9:00 PM the Day Before the Meeting

Derick Roskelley

 

Derick Roskelley

Derick is generously donating a half-day guided trip for one or two anglers on the Weber River. Derick will provide whatever you need, including fly fishing gear or you can bring your own. You must provide your rain gear & waders, a Utah fishing license, and a gratuity.

Your opportunity drawing tickets might land you a brown like you see in the photos.

Minersville Fishout – April 23 – 27, 2025

The Minersville outing is only a few days away.   

Minersville Fishout

At this time there are 20 members planning to catch some of the large Minersville rainbow trout.  Most members are camping in the Minersville Reservoir campsite or staying in Beaver, about 10 miles away.
The Minersville Reservoir hosts a variety of fish species, offering anglers diverse fishing opportunities. The species include:​

  • Rainbow Trout: The reservoir is renowned for its trophy-sized rainbow trout, which are abundant and can reach impressive sizes.

  • Cutthroat Trout: Anglers may also encounter cutthroat trout, adding to the reservoir’s trout diversity. ​

  • Tiger Trout: This hybrid species is present in the reservoir, providing an additional challenge for fishing enthusiasts. ​

  • Brown Trout: Though less common, brown trout can also be found in the reservoir. ​

  • Smallmouth Bass: These fish are active, especially during warmer months, and can be caught using crayfish-imitating tackle.

  • ​Wipers (Hybrid Striped Bass): Most active during sunrise and sunset, wipers can be caught by trolling or casting topwater lures. ​

The reservoir’s DWR management focuses on maintaining a quality fishery, implementing special regulations such as the use of flies and lures only, and restricting the harvest to one trout over 22 inches in length.

We never know what the weather will be, as it is spring in the Rockies, but as you can see from the photo, the fish like to eat even when it is snowing. 
My last trip there a few seasons ago produced 21 big rainbows the first day during a snowstorm.  Who cares about the weather when you are catching fish like that?  Adrenaline keeps you warm!
Sign up on the HCFF Website if you want to join us.

River Fishers Outings by Jayne Guyse

HCFF is now hosting monthly day trips for those who want to fish moving water or still water from the banks. Sometimes these turn into overnight trips if the fishing is really good.
  • The March trip took us to the Beaver River,
    bill@quapp.com
    where the fishes came out to play in a big way.
  • Next up, we are doing our best to hit ice-off at Strawberry Reservoir between now and Tax Day.
  • Our May trip will likely to be to the Hams Fork in Kemmerer, Wyoming (TBD).
  • We will fish White’s Ranch (a.k.a. Sportsman’s Paradise) in Paradise, UT on June 2nd.
  • DWR will be taking us on an outing to get a couple of the more elusive cutties for the Utah Cut Slam in the July/August timeframe. 

Sign up on the HCFF website for the River Fishers group or contact Jayne for more information on upcoming monthly day trips.

Other HCFF Outings 2025 – April 23 – 27, 2025

After Minersville Fishout come the Starvation outing – May 28 to June 1.  Several of us will be camping and fishing in Rabbit Gulch one of several parts of the Fred Hayes State Park.  Other camping options are cabins in the State Park with RV sites with water and electric hookups, and a private site, Lakeview Cove RV Park, near Rabbit Gluch.  Camping in Rabbit Gulch is primitive.  Leveled gravel spots for an RV, a fire ring, a picnic table in each site, and pit toilets. No water is at the Rabbit Gulch campsite. Reservations are recommended for camping in the west end, but free camping is available in the east end if you get there early. 
Then comes Otter Creek, June 25 to 29.  The reservable spots in Otter Creek State Park are taken and have been for over a month.  There are 20 non-reservable (walk-in only).  So, you can take your chance and get there early that week.  There are lots of dispersed camping sites on the west side of the lake if you can’t get into the Campground. I am leaving Heber City on Monday, June 23, and hoping to get a spot in the campground.  Nightly fee is $45. The State Park sites have water and power and a dump station when you leave.  There is a private campground across the highway as another option. 
Details on the July 23 to 27th outing in the Loa/Boulder Mountain area are still being worked out.

MOST IMPORTANT: HCFF has reserved the Group site at The Washington Lake campground in the Uintas.  You do not have to make your own reservations. Todd Johnson is the Safari Leader.  Other details will be provided to those who sign up on the HCFF Website

Details on the Strawberry outing in September and Island Park in October are on the website and updates will come later.

Free Trout Unlimited Membership


Click one of the links below to get a first-time free one-year membership, or if you’re already a member, renew your membership to Trout Unlimited. With this membership you receive a subscription to Trout magazine, discounts on travel and fishing gear, and much more.

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.

This offer ends near the end of April, so register TODAY.

Wasatch Expo Report

Cal Massey

Cal Massey, Hall of Fame Inductee

Cal Massey was recently inducted into the Utah Fly Fishers Hall of Fame. Cal founded High Country Fly Fishers (HCFF) in December 1989, and this well-deserved recognition honors his lasting impact on the fly fishing community.

Next, heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this year’s Expo such a success. We’re also grateful to everyone who attended—your enthusiasm, participation in the silent auction, bucket raffles, and trip bids made the event both enjoyable and meaningful. While the final numbers aren’t in yet, early signs point to a strong financial outcome. Proceeds from the Expo directly support the programs and initiatives of our chapter.

Fish for Garbage 2025

Fish For Garbage 2025

Fish For Garbage Calendar 2025Fish For GarbageFish For GarbageInstagram Fish For GarbageFacebook Fish For GarbageSign-up for the next clean-up

Let’s face it — fish don’t like garbage, and neither do we. That’s why we need you, brave steward of rivers and picker-upper of things that absolutely should not be anywhere near water. Are you the kind of person who can spot a Doritos bag from 100 yards? Do you enjoy long walks on the riverbank, preferably while wielding a trash grabber and making sarcastic comments about flip-flops in the reeds? Then congratulations — you’re our people. Join us for Fish for Garbage 2025, where we combine conservation with comedy, sunburns with service, lunch, and community with… questionable items pulled from the deep. It’s part cleanup, part fishing, part “what even is this thing?” and 100% satisfying. We need volunteers with good hearts, friendly smiles, and a tolerance for smells they can’t quite identify. Bonus points if you bring your friends, your waders, or a competitive spirit for the weirdest trash find of the day. Help us make Utah’s rivers cleaner, safer, and just a little less like a scene from a post-apocalyptic tackle shop. You’ll leave tired, proud, and possibly with a new appreciation for gloves. Sign up today — the fish are counting on you (and they said please).

Contact Jayne at groovyjayne@gmail.com with any questions.

Teen Trout Camp


Teen Trout Camp

Trout Camp is a fly fishing activity for youths 13 to 17 sponsored by the Utah Council of Trout Unlimited. It is held at White’s Ranch in Paradise, Utah. It is a three-day, two-night event – June 18, 19 & 20 – where the youths are introduced to all aspects of fly fishing. All gear is provided or youths can bring their own. Meals and lodging are provided. A special discounted price for a Redington fly rod package is also available. Adult mentors are matched up with the youths on nearly a one-to-one basis.

The cost for the camp is $310. Registration is now open to the public and is limited to 14 youths. Register at https://utahtu.org.

Monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at St. Mary’s Church, so mark your calendar.
Please check our Calendar page for upcoming events, and always feel free to email us at HCFF599@gmail.com with questions or suggestions.

As always, thank you for your support.