DIRECTIONS: Uinta Mountains located in the northeast corner of the state. Road access to many lakes is along highway 150 between Kamas and Evanston, Wyo. Several areas to drive to along entire range and then hike into.
DESCRIPTION: This is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the country. It also offers some of the best fishing opportunities. Hundreds of lakes scattered through area. Many planted by air in the fall. Those along highway are planted regularly, when possible, with catchables. Most of the lakes are up in the pines and aspens. Some lakes, like Mirror and Moon, are large, but most in area are smaller. Most of the mid-size to larger lakes hold fish.
FISH
RAINBOW, BROWN, CUTTHROAT, BROOK
WHAT WORKS
Surface flies work well in these lakes. Good dry flies are ant patterns and attractor patterns, such as the Gray Hackel Yellow. Also try Renegade, Mosquito, Royal Wulff, Elk Hair Caddis, Good nymph patterns include Hare's Ear Nymph, Timberline Emerger, Dansel Fly Nymph, Wooly Worm or Wolly Bugger. For fly and bubble, consider the old Uinta standby - Renegade.
DETAILS
If there's surface action, go with the surface flies. If there is no surface action, go with the nymphs and either sinking flyline or a bubble full of water. Try fishing around inlets when fresh oxygen and food are brought in. Also, fish areas where trees hang over into the water. Bugs and ants routinely fall into the water and attract fish. Look at fishing around edges of weed beds, lily pads or moss beds. Fish tend to cruise around these places looking for food.
NOTES
Lakes in the Uintas are typically good fishing from about the time the ice and snow leave, until it returns. Most are high-country lakes so tend to stay cooler. Fish typically stay closer to surface, especially in the morning and evening. This is a good place to take a small canoe, raft or float tube. Sometimes getting good backcast from shore can be difficult. Access to lakes can be as easy (you can drive rght to a lake) or a difficult (you can spend days hiking to a lake). Excellent camp opportunities.