| Lower Bell Canyon Reservoir - Fishing Guide - June 2009 |
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We take you to our favorite hike than fish, fishing spot in Sandy, Utah. Either not many people know about this spot, or not many people can brave the mile hike to the reservoir, whatever the reason is you will not see much people here. That is what makes this spot extra special and the reason why we chose it for our first hike than fish, fishing guide. Catch And Release ONLY!
Directions:
From I-15 go to 9000 S. in Sandy. Go east on 9000 S (hwy 209) it will turn into 9600 S., keep going east just past Wasatch Blvd. The trail parking lot will be on the south side of the road. Park and walk to the trailhead (pictured left). Follow the trail - a scenic hike uphill for about a mile. Once you make it over the second mountain you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the valley and a pristine mountain reservoir usually all to yourself. What to bring:
This is the kind of spot where you gotta come prepared if you want to have a good time. First of all wear comfortable shoes, you will be hiking up a mountain trail. Its a good idea to purchase a backpack for this hike, if you don't already have one. You will be more comfortable with your hands free, while hiking to the reservoir. Here's what you should pack:
Rules and Regulations:
Fishing Spots:
The fish are concentrated around where the waterfall spills into the reservoir, and the calm areas around it. There are a couple of other good fishing spots around the lake, like the rock pile on the nortwest side of the lake, the rocky stream outlet on the west side of the lake, or the calm south side of the lake, but I catch the most fish around the waterfall. This reservoir is small enough to fish the whole perimeter if you want to find your own favorite spot.
A picture of the waterfall inlet, one of the best spots on the lake. 
Techniques:
Since this is a catch and release only fishery you can imagine how many times the larger cutthroats have been tricked into taking flies and lures. The big ones probably have learned their lesson about whatever kind of fly pattern, or lure that you are going to throw at them. You will see..... I guarantee you will get a few heart racing moments where, in the crystal clear water, a large cutthroat will rise and get so close to taking the bait, only to see the hook, fishin line, tippet, fly imitation, or wrong smell. What ever the reason is, this can drive you crazy. Many other times once you got the 2 lb tippet, the right pattern, the fish takes it but this time snapps the line. When the right combination does land you a nice native cutthroat coming from such great water quality, you will see what all the fuss is about. General Techniques and Info: I must have switched flies and lures a good 15-20 times during this trip. When fishing in the waterfall current you basically get to see all the fish that you can possibly catch. The fish swim in and out ouf the current and the surrounding deep and calm water areas. For the most part you will be fishing for the same 20 - 30 fish all day. So if you dont catch anything on the first few casts, providing you see that the fish are getting a look at your fly/lure, switch baits. What worked this time: - Variety of patterns, and constantly switching up the presentation. In the waterfall current: brown tube jigs - wooly buggers - streamers. You should get some strikes, casting a weighted streamer or jig in the current. Cast in front of the fish and let the current pull the fly or lure to the fishes strike zone. You will see the fish come and take the fly/lure or they may simply just strike out of instinct, but the strike time is short and any late hook sets will result in a missed fish. Once the pattern gets old to the fish, there will be little or no reaction, and it will be time to change the pattern or move to a new spot. Ripping streamers and jigs across their strike zone is the best technique for getting impulse strikes out of the big cutthroats here. The fish below was caught on a brown/gold gitzit jig .
The fish below was caught on a muddler minnow.
In the waterfall current: A bobber with a nymph pattern, or dark colored wet fly. Just as with fishing the streamers or jigs, you cast near the waterfall and let the current drag the fly across the fishes strike zone. The fish don't mind the bobber in the current, and have even struck the bobber. I have caught a few with this setup. This fish was caught using the dark nymph and bobber setup. Around the waterfall in calmer waters: Small dark colored dry flys & bumble bee patterns. Where the waterfall current meets the calm water is where you will see most of the trout rising and eating bugs. Cast your dry flies around these areas, and twitch them to entice a strike. Get ready for some top water action. This fish was caught on a bumblebee pattern fly.
This one was caught on a black gnat.
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