The stream that runs into Tropic Reservoir is a very nice, calm small stream running up in a scenic somewhat wide valley surrounded by ponderosa trees and the occassional cottonwoods. The water can be waded in most areas since the stream is only 5 foot wide at the most and not over waist deep that is accessable with a graveled road nearby. This stream runs parallel with the road in plain sight for over 5 miles south of Tropic Reservoir. In most areas it is only a few minutes walk from the road with a few side roads that go right over to this stream. For the flyfishers without waders this stream can be fished from shore with ease. As this stream is not stocked with introduced rainbow trout the primary fish in this stream is the wild brook trout mentioned before. With this kind of trout the type of flies that they will hit changes with what is available at that time of month. A general dry fly that works good during the summer months though is the brown Elk Hair Caddis # 14 or smaller. A "wet fly" that works good also is a black gnat #14 or smaller. As for the more common "dry flies" like the renagade or the mosquito I haven't had any luck with them or anyone else using these flies and usually these are the first flies novices will try when coming to this area for the first time. For the month of July the wet fly black gnat is working good for me.
Another good area for stream flyfishing is Asay Creek. Located 5 miles south of Hatch, Utah and is accessable by the old highway that is falling apart. This road also runs parallel by the creek with the stream in plain sight. This road is accessable from highway 89 that shoots off to the side in two areas, one only one mile or less south of Hatch, the other end 5 miles or less south of Hatch. This is the only two areas that are accessable to the general public as the rest of the stream is fenced off with nasty No Trespassing or fishing signs that can be seen from highway 89. The 5 miles of stream that are accessible are good flyfishing areas with alot of areas to fish. Here there is a few brown trout with mostly rainbows. The best fly to use here is the "dry fly" the black gnat # 14 or smaller I also have had luck with the "wet fly" the golden beaded Prince nymph 3 14 or smaller. The water here can be flyfished from stream with ease or waded in some spots, although there are a few deep pools that are deep. This stream is about 10 feet wide at best and mostly calm with a few areas of faster running water.
Did you find the information helpful in planning your trip with the hopes of doing some flyfishing also? There is alot more information I can supply you with. Most of the best flyfishing in this area are accessible to the knowledeged few that know this area well as you will see most of the area with streams and lakes that can be readily found are fenced in private property with the owners nowhere to be found and are not wanting any flyfishing people on thier grounds. To make a donation, or about general public accessible flyfishing areas around Bryce Canyon area send 10 U.S. dollars with a self stamped envelope to Roland Reynolds P.O. Box 724 Panguitch, Utah 84759. Thank you and good luck Flyfishing.
Questions or comments about my website? E-mail me at bryceflyfishing@lycos.com Thanks.
Copyright by Roland Reynolds, 2005
