Colder weather to bring ice fishing

With the recent string of colder days, and with the forecast of more ahead, it's a sure bet that ice fishing isn't that far away.

Word midweek is that about half of Scofield is holding an ice covering and that there is some ice in the bays at Strawberry.

If colder temperatures do persist, then expect Scofield to be iced over, possibly by next week, and Strawberry within a couple of weeks.

Following close behind will be such waters as Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Rockport and East Canyon.

According to recent reports, those who have ventured out early on what ice there is on Scofield have been doing well fishing with minnow imitations and light-colored flies.

As of last weekend, the report is the fishing at Strawberry has been good, but outside temperatures have been cold. Even with the colder weather, however, anglers report the fish have been in water between 15 and 20 feet deep.

The trick, said one fisherman, is to get the fly, lure or bait down to where the fish are, which means cast and be patient on the retrieve.

Comparing notes, they also report that on average the fish on the Soldier Creek side of the reservoir tend to be fewer but larger than those on the Strawberry side.

Some of the better fishing has been on flowing waters. Currently, the rainbows and browns are spawning. What seems to attract them best is a yellow-colored glow bug. Some of the better fishing has been on the Weber and Provo rivers.

Dry-fly fishing is about at its end.

NORTHERN REGION

BEAR LAKE — Fishing for lake trout has started to slow down. However, some days are still very good. The best luck has come to anglers who are either jigging with tube jigs tipped with ciso or trolling with downriggers on top of the rock pile off Gus Rich Point or off the new rock piles north of the Utah State Park marina. Whitefish fishing should begin to pick up soon.

LOGAN RIVER — Fishing fair to good. The water levels remain low, so the fish are very easily spooked. Pocket water seems to produce the most successful fishing. Try using a dropper rig. Fish a dry fly such as a Parachute Adams, a Pale Morning Dun or an Adams on the top, and a small Copper John, Hares Ear, or PMD emerger for the dropper nymph below. Bait fishing at the dams has also been fair. The best time is in the mornings before the sun is up.