Grand Opening of the Provo River Delta Restoration Project

On October 25th and 26th, the Provo River Delta came alive with the Delta Grand Opening celebrations. High Country Fly Fishers (HCFF), alongside the Bonneville Fly Fishers (BFF), played a significant role in making this event memorable.

Setting the Scene

The sun shone brightly, creating a picture-perfect day that called people to the outdoors. Visitors flocked to the HCFF booth, manned by dedicated members, including Eugene and Katie Cannarella, Jayne Guyse, Bruce Pope, and Pat Ronneburg. The booth was a lively hub, buzzing with laughter, fish tales, and camaraderie that drew in new and seasoned anglers alike. The HCFF and BFF teams brought an infectious enthusiasm for fly fishing, attracting guests to witness the magic and art of fly tying and sparking curiosity about the sport.

Highlights from the Event

• Fly Tying and Booth Activities: HCFF’s booth featured fly-tying stations that captivated event-goers. HCFF tyers, including Gene, Pat, and members from BFF (Fred Jepsen, Holly Badger, and Jim Banas), demonstrated their craft, sharing flies with visitors and answering questions about their technique. HCFF’s booth became a central attraction for those interested in the art of fly tying and the stories that came with it.
• Community Support: HCFF provided not only expertise but also supplies and amenities, including canopies (a second one shading the band), refreshments for booth workers, Halloween candy for visitors, and materials such as posters and flyers. Jayne Guyse’s Afghan Hound, Django, added charm as the unofficial mascot, further enhancing the booth’s welcoming atmosphere.
• Special Moments: One of the highlights of the morning came when 84-year-old Carolyn stopped by the HCFF booth. She was thrilled when Gene put two of his favorite flies in her hat, a gesture that lit up her face. Carolyn sat with the crew for a while, chatting and enjoying the camaraderie. When Gene jokingly asked if she was “available,” Carolyn, with a twinkle in her eye, answered, “NO!” It was one of life’s surprising gifts, the kind of moment that makes a great day even better.

Gratitude from Partners

Paula Trater, a Biological Technician with the Utah Reclamation Mitigation & Conservation Commission (URMCC), expressed her heartfelt thanks to HCFF and BFF for their ongoing contributions to the Provo River Delta Restoration Project. Over the years, HCFF has supported restoration efforts, helping with willow transplants from the Middle Provo and consistently attending the 2nd Saturday events. The Delta Grand Opening event was a testament to their longstanding commitment to conservation.

Acknowledgments

HCFF extends special thanks to Bruce Pope for his years of dedication to the project, as well as to Pat Ronneburg, Jayne Guyse, Katie & Gene Cannarella, and Robert Trim for their hard work during the event. Gratitude also goes to Bill Quapp for creating the Willow Gathering poster and to the BFF team for their collaboration in both the booth and outreach activities.

Post-Event Reflection

The event concluded with fond memories and new connections, as HCFF and BFF inspired many to discover the joys of fly fishing and fly tying. Paula Trater mentioned that the project is now transitioning to management by the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and future work efforts may continue with HCFF’s involvement in restoring Utah’s river habitats.

If you happened by the HCFF booth, you were bound to get caught up in the excitement—whether you came for the conversation, the chance to pick up some tips on tying the perfect fly, or just to marvel at the way they could stretch the truth about their biggest catch (which, according to them, was “this big!”).

The day was as bright as their spirits, and by the end, they’d successfully shared their passion for fly fishing with plenty of new converts—hook, line, and split shot (or tungsten bead).

Check out KSL TV’s coverage.

Fishing Is On!

In a fitting end to the celebrations, Jayne Guyse returned to the Delta shortly after the event and caught an impressive 18” rainbow trout, proving that the Provo River Delta is now officially open.