Sportsman's Quest

This is part of the catch of Utah trout, on a recent fishing trip to North Country.

There is no question summer is here; the 100-plus degree reading on the thermometer attests to that. So, it's time to explore some cooler getaways and for me, it's fishing in places I can reach on a long weekend or mini-vacation.

For Southern Nevada anglers, it's Utah, San Diego or to Pioche, Ely, Elko or the Smith Valley areas of our state.

My first plan is for a northern Utah trip with my good fishing pal John Cotton. This will be a triple header, exploring some of the smaller reservoirs, then fishing the famous Strawberry for rainbows and cutthroats, then on to Flaming Gorge for a possible record book lake trout (Mackinaw) or monster brown trout.

John knows these lakes like his own home, and with him as my guide, I'm feeling kinda lucky. He's scouted the area well and this is what he found:

Starting at Rockport Reservoir near Park City in early May, he and his friend, Richard Quincey, launched their fishing machine and headed for the east end of the lake. The snow had left the area, but it was cloudy and the mountain run-off had somewhat discolored the water.

The down-riggers were lowered with the two bottom lines at 30 feet rigged with Lure Jensen Tazmanian Devils, while the two top lines pulled Rapala Shad Raps at five feet below the surface. The lines were barely down when the action started.

The bottom line first brought in a nice two-pound rainbow, then another, then another. The top line also kept busy, but with smaller fish.

After three hours fishing they had caught nineteen nice fish and kept four rainbows and three German brown trout, the rest were released to be caught by others, perhaps us.

The much larger Strawberry Reservoir was also tested. This time John was with Mike Utley, well-known in the region as Strawberry Mike. These two guys together are dangerous fishing fanatics. Just the kind of guys I like to fish with. It was late June and the water was dark with the spring run-off from the mountains and had lots of floating debris.

Strawberry is seven miles long, four miles wide and the wind was coming up, so they headed for the protected side. John carries a small tent and food in the boat, just in case the wind increases and they have to wait out a storm on the opposite shore. He also made sure his wife, Cherie, knew where he was going and when to call the sheriff if he was late returning.

Did I mention, Cherie is a saint to have patience with this crazy fisherman and his friends. I may be the only normal one and some would debate that, but not Cherie.

On the calm, wind protected side of the lake, though, they had no problem. They tested some of their secret spots and the fish started hitting. The first was a 24-inch, three-pounder and they released it hoping for an even bigger one, as the regulations only allowed them to have one over 22 inches. John in particular wanted one bigger than the 10-pounder that currently graces the wall in his living room.

At the end of the four hour day they had caught and released 76 fish in the two- to three-pound range. None were kept, so they're still there for the rest of us to enjoy.

But, when we're talking big fish anywhere in the western United States, we have to think, "Flaming Gorge, Utah." It's on the Utah/Wyoming border and was created in 1968 with the damming of the Green River.

It's famous for its world record brown and lake trout, which are best fished in July. The big fish are in deep water and on a previous trip John was fishing with what they call, a "long line."

I've fished for a lot of big lake trout in the North Country, but this was new to me. Small diameter stainless steel wire was used and rigged with a large Flatfish lure with the belly hook removed. It's bounced along the bottom at a slow troll. I prefer down riggers, but one can't argue with success.

They hooked one right away and it was big, but was lost as it "hit the wall," another new term to me, but in those parts it means when the fish begins to come vertically to the surface. They shake their head and break loose as they come up.

John wasn't finished, though, and he put his line back on the bottom. It bounced three times and stopped as if attached to a rock, and the rod bent double as the line screamed from the reel.

Then the head shaking began -- it was a fish and it was big. It came up, then dove for the bottom; more head shaking; then another dive as it was coming up again. Color was seen as the fish came to the surface looking like a small Volkswagen car with its chrome flashing in the water.

Finally on the surface it's netted; a 42- inch, 31- pound lake trout is on-board and soon joins John's 10-pound rainbow on the wall.

Flaming Gorge also has Kokanee (land-locked sockeye salmon), some of the best tasting freshwater fish, and rainbows to four and five pounds. Later in the year the German brown trout are the prize.

Is it any wonder why I'm planning a short trip to these lakes? See you there.

For something closer to home, try Ely's Cummings Lake for big pike and large browns, or try Cave Lake for big rainbows to five pounds. Things start to really heat up on the Fourth of July weekend, and I don't mean the weather.

Both can be fished from shore or from a small boat. Try large Rapalas at Cummings and Powerbait, or small spinners for Cave. Sportsworld outdoor store will have everything you need. The region also has plenty of room to camp or to park your RV. The folks at the Historic Hotel Nevada, or the Jailhouse Motel are friendly and know the area well. The food is great, too.

For more information go to www.jailhousecasino.com or call 800-841-5430, Hotel Nevada can be reached at 888-406-3055 or 775-289-6665.

To contact Sportsworld call 775-289-8886.