Byron Gunderson of Fish Tech Outfitters said reports he's getting indicate the large cutts are cruising the shallow beachfront areas early, then moving into deeper water, between 25 and 40 feet in the afternoon, then returning later in the day.

He also noted that anglers are reporting good success using tube jigs, minnow-imitating lures or baits. Red crystal killers and black leaches are working for fly fishermen, but the problem comes in trying to get the flies and lures deep enough when the fish move off the shorelines. A sinking flyline is a must. It also helps to attach a couple of sinkers.

There are a couple of times a year when the fishing is just a little better. Spring is one of those times. Coming out of winter and ice-cold water, the fish are hungry and aggressive.

And right now, fishermen are catching:

• Crappie at Pineview

• Nice cutthroat at Strawberry

• Large rainbow at Flaming Gorge

• Big striped bass at Lake Powell

• Lots of bluegill at Pelican

• A few tiger trout at Scofield

• And some large browns in the Fremont River

These are, of course, but a few of the Utah hot spots. Expect more to show up over the Memorial Day weekend after the DWR finishes its preholiday stocking program.

Most of the Utah reservoirs and lakes are full. Anticipating a low runoff, water was held rather than released this year.

Another popular spring fishing spot is Scofield Reservoir. Like Strawberry, the large cutts are cruising shorelines looking for food after a lean winter, which is making shore fishing good.

A lot of large rainbows are coming out of Flaming Gorge, some up to 8 pounds.

Fishing on the Green River below Flaming Gorge has been good. Water levels there won't start coming up until May 25, which will make access to some areas possible. The water is running at 800 cubic feet per second with no fluctuation.

Good fishing has been reported by those floating a zebra midge dropper below a dry fly in 2-foot-deep riffles.

Another popular spring fishery is Pelican Lake. This is a great family fishing spot for those fishing from the shore or wading or paddling a float tube. Along with the smaller bluegill and largemouth bass, there are also some much larger fish. Things like poppers, sponge bugs and Woolly Buggers with a chunk of night crawler attached work well at Pelican. A piece of night crawler dangling below a red and white bobber also works well.

One of the real hot spots right now is Lake Powell. Anglers are reporting catching 50 or more of the 4- to 5-pound striped bass in a day. Good fishing is also being reported for largemouth and smallmouth bass and bluegill. For the latest information on Lake Powell, visit www.wayneswords.com.

Spring spawners, like the cutthroat and rainbow, are moving into streams and rivers, which means things like glo bugs and San Juan worms are working well.

For the latest statewide fishing report put out by the DWR, visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing.

---

E-mail: grass@desnews.com