Backpacking the High Uintas of Utah in search of big brook trout

I went on a solo backpacking trip in the High Uintas of Utah to a lake that produces nice brook trout. The hike was a rough one but I was able to catch some nice brookies

[@MinuteontheMountain]

Your video, the scenery, and the brookies were all top notch. Great job!

[@TroutHowler]

Thankyou, you have to love the high country.

[@luisnav3650]

Love the High Uintas !!!

[@TroutHowler]

I absolutely agree---the Uintas are awesome.

[@kylesnavely6165]

I came for the Uintas. Subscribed for the bacon brats.

[@TroutHowler]

Haha , you won't be disappointed. They are very tasty

[@rcsutter]

Over the last week or so youtube has recommended content from people I've never watched before, this video just showed up today and I'm glad it did. Beautiful fish, scenery, and photography. I live right next door to you (Colorado) and spent many years of my life fishing in Utah. We have good fishing here too but there's some amazing fishing in Utah, always great scenery too. Thanks for nurturing our spirit in these tough times.

[@TroutHowler]

We live in crazy times. Hopefully we can survive this nonsense and get back out doing the things we love here shortly. I agree that there are some awesome fishing destinations in Utah. There is is certainly no shortage of amazing spots in your neck of the woods. Colorado has so many amazing streams and alpine lakes like some in the Flat tops.

[@ptuffgong8504]

Nice! Uinta fish porn. Those hidden gems in the Uintas with the larger fish are worth the work to find and get to.

[@TroutHowler]

I absolutely agree

[@ForrestMankins]

Cool videos but I was definitely cringing at how long that first fish was out of the water

[@TroutHowler]

Ohhh no, the politically correct fishing police have made their way to my channel. I do however appreciate you taking time away from what ever protest you had planned to watch 👍

[@kreedkustoms859]

Your fishing videos are so cool. Thanks for taking us along in your adventures. I like how it was a solo trip 13.5 miles in but I felt like I was there sitting by the fire having a mountain house with you. You put in the work and earned that experience. You should do a couple of coyote videos for your trouthowler name-sake.

[@judecaspian1871]

you all prolly dont care but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my login password. I would love any tips you can give me

[@dukeismael5311]

@Jude Caspian Instablaster ;)

[@judecaspian1871]

@Duke Ismael Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@judecaspian1871]

@Duke Ismael It worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my account!

[@dukeismael5311]

@Jude Caspian you are welcome :D

[@206or16]

Nice vid. Pretty sure I know the area. 👍🏼 What brand of boots are you wearing?

[@TroutHowler]

I'm on my third pair of Asolo fugitives. They typically last me about 4 seasons 👍

[@hamcheesecola]

A buddy and I are headed to Kings peak this July, looking forward to catching some monsters. Great video

[@TroutHowler]

That's awesome. Some of the best Uinta Cutthroat lakes are in that area. It should be a good time.

[@kodyalcorn8904]

Awesome man!! Heading to Murdock basin this weekend to hopefully catch some golden trout. What lake is this?

[@TroutHowler]

I haven't been up there in a while. The goldens might be few in numbers since the state lost it's source. Hopefully there are still some swimming around. I would also try the Joan and Gem for slightly bigger fish

[@TroutWest]

Headed to southern UT to fish 2nd week in Nov. You're welcome to join up if you wanna roll. Minersville,Panguitch,Otter, Red Creek etc Post up

[@TroutHowler]

You're going to all the good places. I would be down for that but unfortunately i'm guiding a hunt that week. Let me know how you do.

[@SanJuanMountainBob]

Great video - those were a few enormous brookies for alpine lakes! 14 miles in 5 hours in the mountains - you were scooting right along. Thanks for sharin!

[@TroutHowler]

Thank you sir. I have to take more breaks than I did in my younger years but I still get it done

[@DarkHorse_-rw4dc]

Awesome Video sir. Thank you for showing us the less seen Uinta lakes and sites.

[@TroutHowler]

Thanks, sometimes I hike into popular basins but more often than not I target lakes or areas that are seldomly visited

[@DarkHorse_-rw4dc]

Dude... That's a HUUUUGE Brook Trout for ANYWHERE man. Nice Fish.

[@TroutHowler]

Yeah there's nice brook trout in there. The very first fish I had on was noticeably bigger but it got off as was trying to turn my camera on. If you want to see what I consider to be really big as far as brook trout go check out my video fly fishing Wyomings high country. At the very end of the video I have pictures of big brook trout I've caught there

[@UtahWaterLog]

Good stuff, nice work.

[@TroutHowler]

Thank you. I've watched all of your videos as well. You seem to be a magnet for big fish. That lake where you caught those big Tigers is a hard lake to crack .I haven't been there in a few years. Those two males definitely have more mass than anything I have pulled out of it. I put that lake back on the go to list after watching your vids few months ago

[@UtahWaterLog]

TroutHowler Nice, man. We should talk sometime.

[@TroutHowler]

@@UtahWaterLog Absolutely

[@connermariluch]

Trout howler I love your videos. Im subbed to you with three of my accounts. can I jump on the email train? I live in the uintas in the summertime and would love some suggestions on lakes where we can find bigger brooks.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

As a small child looking up at the Uintas I was pretty sure that if you crossed over them you would be in Canada. We are blessed to have this wonderful mountain range in our state.

[@TroutHowler]

I absolutely agree. We are fortunate to have the Uintas in our backyard.

[@TJ-dt6zz]

Love it man! Im a Utah man myself! Much love

[@TroutHowler]

Thanks man, there's a lot fun stuff to do in Utah's backcountry

[@qtion21]

Great video! I live in Springville and am looking to do some backpacking I. The Uintas this summer; which lakes/trail is this? Was looking into Ibantik Lake -this close? Thanks!

[@TroutHowler]

Thanks, I haven't been to Ibantik in many years but it's a fun lake. I wouldn't expect anything too big out of it. Just to the south west of it is Lovenia lake. Years back I was catching some nice brook trout out it. It was last stocked 4 years ago so there's a decent chance of catching some nicer fish. In general I look for lakes that that were stocked at least 3 years ago---preferably 4 + years. www.utahfishinginfo.com/dwr/fishstockingreport.php. I would look up the lakes you want to visit and plan accordingly. Good luck

[@doughooton6220]

What a great video. My brothers and I are hiking the uinta highline trail in July and going to fish as many lakes as we can. Looks like you got it figured out. Nice fishing.

[@TroutHowler]

Thank you. I haven't been to the naturalist basin in several years but it has always been good fishing. My favorite lakes are probably Blue and Shaler. Hyatt was at one time an awesome brook trout lake that kicked out fatties. But like many lakes that produce nicer fish it is shallow and prone to winterkill. I think they gave up on Hyatt because it hasn't been stocked in years according to the Utah stock report. I would check the stocking schedule for the lakes you plan on fishing. I'd hit the ones that were stocked 4 to 6 years ago for a chance at bigger fish. Even if you don't find big fish i'm sure you'll have a good time. (www.utahfishinginfo.com/dwr/fishstockingreport.php)

[@shepdaggett]

I’m moving out to Utah tommorow. I’ve never fly fished. I have a retractable spinning rod. Will that work with a mepps spinner? Or do I need to learn to fly?

[@TroutHowler]

I grew up fishing with a size 2 silver Mepps spinner. I caught a lot if fish. They are not ideal in every situation but you'll still catch quite a few

[@outdoor_tommy07]

Those are giant!!! The brooks in my area reach 10” max, and that’s rare

[@TroutHowler]

For that range they are definitely nice fish. However, the vast majority of brook trout lakes up there have fish closer to what you are used to. Most of the neighboring mountain ranges have larger fish. Check out this monster brook trout that a guy caught at one of my favorite lakes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnaypaV5otpjaLs&lc=z23fizriypjvifv1pacdp433rlpqarbwtiyfl3gbjqpw03c010c.1585603270477373

[@ryancranston2563]

Thank you for keeping this lake a secret. I fished it prolly within a couple weeks of when you were filming this. We had good success too.

[@TroutHowler]

I typically don't name lakes that aren't obvious/main destinations but it probably wouldn't matter anyway for this particular lake. If you're familiar with this lake than you know it's no cake walk getting there. Most people aren't willing to hike more than a handful of miles.

[@geoffreydebrito7934]

I very much enjoyed the video until I watched you handle that magnificent brook trout with dry hands. Brook trout have a protective slime on their bodies that protects them from disease. To see the effect removing that slime has on a trout, see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2m5doesgbGUZtE - just wet your hands before handling and most of the slime will remain.

[@TroutHowler]

We were told the same thing in college when handling fish as far as cotton gloves go. However, what that video didn't show was an example of handling fish without gloves. We handled lots of fish with out wetting our hands and didn't see those results. The professors conclusion was that you aren't removing the entire layer when handling fish with dry hands. That being said I usually fish with gloves that are designed for handling fish (ones that the mucoprotein protective layer doesn't easily stick to). I have literally caught the same fish multiple times in a favorite hole on a local stream over a two year period---five times to be exact. I know it's was the same fish due to a missing chunk of its tail fin. I'm pretty sure I did not wet my hands and by some miracle he just keeps on trucking----to each their own I suppose.

[@TroutHowler]

I forgot to mention the obvious part as well. He didn't seem to wet his other hand before grabbing the fish and the part of the fish he touched with his bare hand was fine at the end of his test----food for thought

[@Beardedfurflinger]

Just stubbled upon your channel & as a fly fisherman & outdoor lover your videos rock,love the fish & the scenery, would like to see the fly you use, tight lines & bent rods

[@TroutHowler]

Thank you, the fly I was using was my version of a Rich Osthoff pattern called a fast sinking scud. It's essentially just a weighted olive gray scud with a longer tail tied on a size 12 hook. I show the fly in my golden trout video at the 15:08 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWK5dZuLbruAbZY

[@Beardedfurflinger]

@@TroutHowler just watched the video thanks, I might add a olive & black woolly bugger can never go wrong with a bugger

[@TroutHowler]

@@Beardedfurflinger You definitely need an assortment of leech/bugger patterns ----they are basically candy for trout

[@Beardedfurflinger]

@@TroutHowler agree & throw in a # 14 red hackle tail,peacock herl body, grizzly or brown hackle woolly worm & wham all set,tight lines & bent rods

[@4runnercolby]

What’s the name of that road leading up to these lakes. I am trying to do a full trip going through a lot of these lakes

[@lambertsaldi1550]

Super nice Brookies good for you 🤙🇺🇸 the Vermonter

[@micah723]

Awesome video! love the Uintas!

[@TroutHowler]

I absolutely agree, the Uintas are awesome.

[@franzfabian4507]

Hey Trouthowler, loving this video. Do you need a GPS handheld to navigate in the backcountry of the Uinta Lakes or is everything well signposted or marked by trails? Many thanks & keep up the awsm content! Best regards from Germany.

[@TroutHowler]

The Uintas have a good trail system that's maintained but I would still highly recommend taking a GPS with you. Some trails/routes that dont see as much traffic are sometimes difficult to follow. There's also many game/ wildlife trails that can be confusing. If your not paying attention you can wander off the actual trails----its happened to me more than once

[@TroutHowler]

I forgot to mention that there are sign posts at trail junctions but some aren't obvious if you're not paying attention

[@franzfabian4507]

​@@TroutHowler Thanks for the reply! I ordered a GPS handheld. Now I'm prepared and looking forward to visit the most beautiful country on the planet again

[@TroutHowler]

@@franzfabian4507 I hope you have a great trip!

[@jeramyh9344]

Bacon wrapped Better with Cheddar, that just earned a like and subscribe.

[@TroutHowler]

You won't be disappointed, they are fantastic

[@CJFishNutz]

What a great adventure. By about a third of the way through the video I already had the book on order!

[@TroutHowler]

Thank you, It was a good adventure indeed. You'll like that book. Rich has other books that are good reads as well.

[@justice4all32]

What was the book and flies again?

[@TroutHowler]

"Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry" by Rich Osthoff. The patterns are in his book---the fast sinking scud and the mega orange scud.

[@danolsen2405]

You make great videos. I laugh because you wont let anyone know what lake this is. Even though 90 of fisherman wont/ cant hike that far.😂

[@TroutHowler]

Haha thanks. People in the know tend to frown upon spilling the beans-----besides it would ruin the chance of a good exploratory adventure.

[@danolsen2405]

@@TroutHowler Well someone spilled the beans to you. 🤷‍♂️ I get it. Now one wants to give away thier hunting spot, but its fishing 13+ miles in to the backcountry. 🤣

[@danolsen2405]

@@TroutHowler if I tried to go to that lake , i would die!

[@TroutHowler]

@@danolsen2405 Actually no one spilled the beans as far as this lake goes. Long ago I would spend my summers exploring. I would pick a basin or two and spend several days hitting every lake in the area. I found many of my favorite lakes this way including this one.

[@danolsen2405]

@@TroutHowler awesome! I've never had the time to be able to accomplish those findings.

[@benlee526]

Ray Lamontagne. Good choice.....

[@TroutHowler]

At least I know you have good taste in music haha

[@toddjohnson1180]

Nice fishing! I wanna be you when I grow up.

[@TroutHowler]

Haha, I would suggest you aim a little higher 😀

[@gibbyutah]

What was the title of the book you mentioned in the video?

[@TroutHowler]

Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry-----by Rich Osthoff. You can find it on his website Richosthoff.com. He also sells flies etc.

[@kyklain86]

Do you usually pack a firearm backpacking alone out there??

[@TroutHowler]

Yeah I pack a pistol and bear spray. I pack a pistol mainly to have it with me in the tent at night. When i'm actually fishing I keep the bear spray on my hip. Every bear I have run into has taken off in a hurry as soon as they were aware of my presence. I pack a 9mm in Utah cause there's only black bears. When i'm in Wyoming or Montana I pack a .45 with hot loads

[@jeremycarlson2364]

I know this lake. Went to it 2 years ago. Its got the biggest brooks in it I've ever seen in the Uintas

[@TroutHowler]

It's a good lake for sure. Unfortunately it more than likely winter killed last year. I had two different people tell me they spent a couple days there last year and didn't see any signs of life. I can't confirm that but one of the guys certainly knows what he's doing when it comes to backcountry fly fishing

[@LWatkins.]

What lake it this ?

[@OpportunityFishing]

Just starting to get back into tying. Do you have any videos on tying those scuds?

[@TroutHowler]

I haven't made any fly tying videos as of yet. It's a very simple fly to tie. I show the fly in my "Fly fishing for golden trout in Wyoming" video at the 15:07 mark. It's the fly in center. I tie them in various sizes but for alpine lakes I almost always use a size 12. I tie them with a Daiichi 1710 hook. The tail is made of pheasant tail. I wrap 2/3 of the shank with .25 lead wire. I use either clear or gray scud back material wrapped with 6lb test mono for the ribbing. I double wrap the dubbing over the lead. If you don't double wrap it the lead will show through after you pick the dubbing out with a pin. I may end up doing some fly tying videos since several people have asked but who knows.

[@OpportunityFishing]

@@TroutHowler thanks for the info! Yeah I use scuds all the time. Have yet to tie one though. They are a must have fly for Colorado. Going to experiment this year fishing them on intermediate sink tip setup.

[@TroutHowler]

@@OpportunityFishing Scuds are definitely the most effective pattern I use on still waters. Most of the trophy waters I target have one thing in common----large scud populations.

[@mikez2000]

Good video nice scenery. Thanks for sharing

[@TroutHowler]

I appreciate you watching.

[@aaronbenns9051]

going to buy bacon right now lol

[@TroutHowler]

Haha, you won't be disappointed. I don't use the toothpicks anymore. Now I just wrap, freeze and double ziplock bag them. I then stick them in the middle of my pack. They are typically still frozen by the time i reach my destination.

[@MuddyBootsOutdoors]

Also what personal GPS are you using? I'd like to pick up a good one for back country trips. thanks

[@TroutHowler]

I have a couple units. The model I'm currently using is the Garmin GPSMAP 66st.

[@elijahgibran7569]

Cool Video, the Braveheart music was an interesting touch.

[@TroutHowler]

Yeah thanks, I always pack in a Bluetooth speaker to listen to tunes while chilling at the fire. Plus, it's far more entertaining than using a bear bell if you're in grizzly country. By the way your pig brook trout logo is awesome

[@elijahgibran7569]

Thanks. I live in San Diego, but big square tails are my favorite. I've wanted to fish your part of Utah for years, almost made it out there one time.

[@TroutHowler]

@@elijahgibran7569 San Diego huh, My family is originally from the Long Beach area. This particular video is from north eastern Utah. As far as larger brook trout go, you have a better chance at finding them in the mountains of southern Utah. If you ever make it to Utah, I'd try down there. It would be a shorter drive and give you better odds at finding bigger fish wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/boulder_mountain_fishing.pdf

[@elijahgibran7569]

TroutHowler thanks for the info. I spend most of my time chasing fish in Wyoming, or the Eastern Sierra here in CA. Also fish CO, MT and ID as much as I can get out there. Need to spend some time in UT, just hasn't come together yet. We also have some great opportunities to chase fish with a fly in/around San Diego. Just gotta think outside the box a bit.

[@TroutHowler]

@@elijahgibran7569 If you spend time in the eastern sierras I'm guessing you've been to Kirman

[@wildfly-instinct2886]

We need another video like this!

[@TroutHowler]

Hopefully, we have a couple good ones planned

[@rightanglefishing]

Very cool! We caught some great tiger trout this year in the Uintas!

[@TroutHowler]

They have started to put tigers in quite a few lakes in the Uintas 👍

[@brichweb]

How do you fish your scuds? I dont notice a strike indicator and it seems like you are always site fishing

[@TroutHowler]

I rarely use an indicator when fishing that scud pattern. It's not all sight fishing although like most, I do prefer it. It's a cast and retrieve pattern for the most part. I do 4 to 5 inch strips fairly quickly. I get quite a few takes while it's sinking before I start to strip however. I've started tying a balanced version that I hang under an indictor that has been working well but not as solid as the pattern from this video

[@MuddyBootsOutdoors]

Are there concerns of wildlife, mountain lions, bears?

[@TroutHowler]

It's always a possibility. I pack in a pistol and bear spray. I typically have at least one of the two on my hip when fishing. I try to keep a clean camp for the most part so I'm not overly concerned about it but the danger is always present.

[@bendoskipowerfishing]

Sweet video

[@TroutHowler]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@jasonbudge4382]

Awesome video......I have wanted to fish this lake for a while now......just can’t seem to find the time.....the hike might kill me too....Those scud patterns......do You just let them sink and slowly strip them in???? Do you use a sinking line?

[@TroutHowler]

If I'm fishing the shallows I start stripping immediately-----5 inch strips at a time. If its deeper water I usually let it sink. I use both floating and sink tip line. If I'm targeting larger fish, I usually use an 8 wt with a 20 ft fast sinking tip line. My go to fly for big goldens and brook trout is that mega orange scud fished deep. This particular lake has extensive shallows so I used floating for the most part. If you're not a fly tyer, he sells flies online at richosthoff.com. I tie mine a little heavier than his. I use .25 lead wire wrapped about 2/3rds of the shank for size 12 or bigger or .15 wire for 14 and 16. The scud pattern is tied with a fairly long tail so it represents a scud or a fairy shrimp. The size 12 olive gray is a game changer. I almost always start with it. I tie it in pink and orange as well. Sometimes ill crush it with a size 12 pink but over all the olive gray is the best producer. If you're familiar with the area there's a small lake 3 1/2 miles to the north east and one the same distance to the south west that also produce nice brook trout. Those other 2 lakes are isolated and seldomly visited. The lake from this video forms almost a straight line with the other 2. I was at the one to the south west a few weeks ago and saw the biggest brook trout I have ever seen in the Uintas. It was probably close to a 5 lb fish. It was last stocked with brook trout 7 or 8 years ago which is definitely pushing their life expectancy. It has since been restocked with a different species and I caught a bunch of those but no huge brook trout unfortunately.

[@TroutHowler]

I forgot to mention that I catch a lot of fish before I start stripping---just when its sinking. However , most takes are while stripping. Also I have had many fish deny it multiple times and then for what ever reason aggressively take it.

[@marcsbullock1]

TroutHowler thanks for all the helpful tips and information! It sounds like you have a great system for catching trout let us know if you ever want to do a meet up I’d love to learn and share what little I know.

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

Sweet

[@TroutHowler]

It was a fun trip 👍

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

@@TroutHowler I use to hike up smith..n.morehouse side to lakes and camp . Fly fish small lakes lots of fun... memories . Great state to live in ..miss Utah

[@bobbertheclown2907]

so you are fishing the scud with no indicator/?

[@TroutHowler]

I prefer sight fishing when it's possible so I go with out an indicator most of time with the scud. If it's too windy ill usually cast blind with sinking tip line and strip it in or go with an indicator using balanced leech patterns right off the shelf. I just started tying a balanced version of the scud which im pretty sure will be very effective under an indicator

[@t-rex3092]

Braveheart sound track during the meal before the first trout?

[@TroutHowler]

Yeah, I didn't edit it in or anything. I always pack in a Bluetooth speaker to listen to tunes around the fire. It just happened to playing at the time.

[@t-rex3092]

@@TroutHowler good touch, love the soundtrack. Can't wait to return to Utah, my dad always took me camping in the Uintas. Great video man!

[@TroutHowler]

@@t-rex3092 Thanks, you have to love the Uintas

[@halyesshemcreekproductions5947]

What was that backcountry trout guide again? I need to get it...

[@TroutHowler]

Fly fishing the rocky mountain back country by Rich Osthoff. You can find it on his website richosthoff.com . It was published in the late 90's so some of the destination info has changed but the tactics still apply. He also sells flies if you don't tie your own.

[@halyesshemcreekproductions5947]

Thanks.

[@bigfootllamas777]

Nice job👊

[@dylanjohnston3082]

What fly rod and reel do you use?

[@TroutHowler]

Well I have a bunch a different set ups, but on this trip I was using a 9ft 5 wt Scott Radian with a Redington Behemoth reel. I was mostly using a floating line because this lake is pretty shallow. On some lakes I go strictly sink tip line, it just depends

[@SteveSnowman]

@ 8:03 What, you're not going to eat it!

[@TroutHowler]

Haha, nope. I'll keep a couple if i'm at a lake that has an abundant population. However, most of the lakes I target have a small population of larger fish.

[@BROWNTOWNFISHING]

Nice video bro👍

[@TroutHowler]

Thanks man

[@alldayjkfishing115]

Bro this is insane. I’m visiting Utah on vacation right now and brought my fly rod. I am in Zion right now but going around. Where should I fish? I haven’t found anywhere.

[@TroutHowler]

Unfortunately the high country is still covered in snow for the most part. Since your down south I would try Panguitch lake. It has huge tiger trout in it. I would try leeches dropped with a chironomid under an indicator within 15 feet of the shoreline. This video will help you out kzbin.info/www/bejne/haPVh6mjo5Zgj5o

[@DarkHorse_-rw4dc]

You have to post what lake that is man.... Daaaaamnit!

[@TroutHowler]

Haha, sorry buddy but I promised I would not disclose it's location. I've learned pretty quickly doing this channel that's it's a big no no to name lakes. I have had some people get mad at me for even posting some of my videos saying I show too much. That being said, I don't mind helping people out and making some suggestions. A big tip and one that I have used often----Call a state fisheries biologist and tell him what you're after. I wouldn't be surprised if this particular lake is one that they suggest. Some of my favorite spots are ones I got by simply asking those managing the lakes.

[@DarkHorse_-rw4dc]

Just wish you'd share at least one or two places to catch these monsters is all. Irritating.