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Otter Lake is Dead
Otter Lake is a small water on the west side of Boulder Mountain. Years ago, as a kid I went there and found big brook trout in crystal-clear water. Back then the fish were had to catch. Now, with my superior skills, I figured I'd have fun targeting lunkers.

We were disappointed when we searched out the lake last weekend; it is now a stagnant, murky mosquito factory. Back in the day it was about 8 feet deep. Now it is only about 4 feet deep. I don't know why, since that area had massive snowpack last winter. The access road is incredibly rough - you definitely need high-clearance 4-wheel drive.

Antimony Creek
We stopped at Antimony Creek on the way home and enjoyed very fast fishing for small brook trout. On that stream I can easily catch 12 fish or more an hour. I had great success using a caddis dry fly. The fish I caught measured between 6 and 10 inches. I have caught larger fish there on previous trips, but didn't connect with any this time.

I really enjoy dry fly fishing on similar streams. The fish are small but action is fast. I think beginning fly fishermen can learn a lot by fishing such streams. You learn to cast and control your fly. You learn how the current carries the fly. You learn where fish hide and how they strike. And you learn how to react when you get a strike.

Black Canyon
The East Fork of the Sevier River runs through ugly Back Canyon south of the town of Antimony, just west of Boulder Mountain. Hwy 22 follows the stream. DWR has done considerable work to restore and improve the stream along the highway, and it offers good fishing for nice browns and cutts. Fly and lure only regulations are enforced along much of the stream's length.

Farther up, the stream forks and the main fork comes out of a rugged canyon away from the road. My brother, Glen, fished there last weekend and reports fast action for small trout.

Canyoneering Capitol Reef
I enjoyed a great slot canyon hike in Capitol Reef National Park yesterday. We hiked up Cottonwood Wash from the bottom. See my blog about the trip, and my photos.

Afternoon thunderstorms are common there at this time of year and pose a big danger for those hiking slots. We started early so we could be out by early afternoon. Raindrops started falling just as we reached my truck.

This is a popular time to hike slots in Zion Park and other areas. Last week a flash flood in Zion swept 3 hikers over waterfalls. It is amazing they survived. Details.

Uintas Off the Trail
I leave tomorrow for a camping/hiking trip into the Uintas. We'll be bushwhacking off the trail, looking for a small lake that offers good action for Arctic grayling. I've got the GPS programmed and I'm taking my rain gear. Should be a fun trip.

Lake Powell
I've cleared my schedule so I can fish Powell at the end of next week. Hopefully, we'll find big boils and enjoy catching striped bass on the surface.

I've been busy these past few weeks, with one trip after another. After Powell I'll have to take a breather. But I've got Flaming Gorge scheduled for later in August, as the kokanee start schooling up.

- Dave