Safe Boating Tip of the Week from Utah State Parks

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Salt Lake City – While boating on Utah’s waters, be aware of marine stressors such as heat from the sun, glare off the water, vibration and noise of a boat's motor, and motion caused by waves and wind.

After nearly four hours on the water, these stressors produce a reaction time similar to being under the influence of alcohol. Marine stressors weaken your body and slow your reaction time enough to increase your accident risk. Rest frequently on land to reduce the impacts of stressors on your body.

For more safe boating tips visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ or call (801) 538-BOAT. Wear it Utah!

July 4th Travel on the Rebound

SALT LAKE CITY, June 28, 2010 – High expectations dominate the travel landscape this upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend as more than 2.75 million residents from the Mountain West are projected to travel 50 miles or more from their homes. According to AAA’s latest travel survey, this represents a 19 percent increase compared to last year.

“A sense of contained optimism has created a hearty increase of travelers, compared to last year when the recession caused many people to change their plans,” says AAA Utah spokesperson Rolayne Fairclough. “Potential impacts to travel plans, like the Gulf of Mexico oil spill or volatility in the European financial market, aren’t stopping Mountain West residents from traveling, as they are decidedly on the move.”

Fourth of July marks one of the busiest national holidays. This year, AAA projects more than 2.43 million Mountain West residents will drive to reach their holiday destinations. That’s a 20 percent increase when compared to 2009. Air travel is expected to increase by 10 percent, with more than 140,000 Mountain Westerners expected to take to the skies to reach their holiday destinations.

Nationally, AAA forecasts just over 34.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the 4th of July holiday weekend, representing a 17 percent increase compared to last year.

Nationally, Independence Day holiday air travel is expected to increase 13 percent when compared to last year, with weekend airfares averaging $192 per ticket, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index. Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are averaging $141.60 per night and weekend car rentals are forecasted to increase by four percent to an average rate of $54. A Mountain West family of four is expected to spend an average $579 over the weekend and the average road trip will cover 926 miles.

According to AAA’s survey, the primary leisure activities for Mountain West residents celebrating the nation’s birthday will be visiting family and friends, shopping, dining and sightseeing.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to providing safety and protection to motorists, the AAA Tipsy Tow Program will offer a free tow for drinking drivers in Utah from 6:00 p.m. on July 4, until 6:00 a.m. on July 5.

Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles. "Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow’, and a truck will be on its way,” said Fairclough. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”


AAA Tips to Avoid Air Travel Delays:
By following these defensive measures before traveling by air, you can avoid unnecessary frustration and disruption.

Avoid delay-prone flights. Before you book, make sure you’re on a flight that has a decent arrival history.

Know your airline. Avoid airlines that are known for labor disruptions or major instances where flights have been canceled.

Book a nonstop. If you fly directly to your destination, you won’t get stuck in a connecting city.

Fly mornings. Whenever possible, book the first flight of the day. Delays tend to worsen later in the day.

Leave enough time for connections. Schedule at least one hour for a connection. Give yourself more time if you have to change planes and go through security again.

Use small airports. Avoid airline hubs whenever possible. Secondary airports are usually less congested and less prone to delays.

AAA offers a variety of travel planning tools that include free TourBook travel guides and maps for members and the TripTik® Travel Planner, available free to all travelers at www.aaa.com/triptik . Three iPhone apps offer access to AAA products and services on the go. The AAA TripTik® mobile app provides information on gas prices, hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed up with AAA as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.

AAA Travel is the nation’s largest travel organization. AAA Travel offers trips, cruises, tours and vacation packages throughout the world. Call (888) 937-5523 for more information or visit us at your local AAA Travel office or online at www.aaa.com/travel .

AAA Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to more than 175,000 members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

July 4th Campground Update

SALT LAKE CITY, June 25, 2010 – Campgrounds on the five Utah national forests are expected to be busy over the 4th of July. You can make reservations for a USDA Forest Service campground by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777. Most campgrounds have first-come-first serve area available, but they fill up quickly on holidays

Recreation users who plan to take their All Terrain-Vehicles (ATV’s) should contact local Ranger District offices for current information on open roads and trails. Riders should be properly trained and remember to protect the fragile surroundings. Always keep your ATV on designated roads and trails.

If you are planning to use livestock (horses, mules etc.) on National Forest System lands, remember that you are permitted to use only certified weed free straw, hay or pellets. Each bale and container must be tagged or marked as Weed Free, or the individual must have original and current evidence of Weed Free certification present. In addition, all markings must meet State and/or County standards for certification as Weed Free.

Higher elevation trails and roads are still wet, muddy and snow covered above 9,500 feet. For current road, trail and campground conditions please call the USDA Forest Service Office that manages the area you are planning to visit.

Please keep campfires in the designated fire pits and make sure they are out cold before leaving them unattended.

ABSOLUTELY NO FIREWORKS ON PUBLIC LANDS.

When hiking, always carry extra water, food; take along a coat and matches in case the weather turns bad.

Always let someone know where you are hiking and approximately when you will return and never hike alone.

Have a great holiday on your National Forest and please be safe. The following is a listing of USDA Forest

Service campgrounds that will be open for the Fourth of July holiday:


ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST (435) 789-1181 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley
Duchesne Ranger District (435) 738-2482: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Flaming Gorge Ranger District (435) 784-3445: All campgrounds are open with water and fees. If staying in a developed campground in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, you are not required to pay the use fee. Day passes are $5.00, 7 day passes are $15.00 and annual passes are $35.00. Passes are available in Manila Utah and in Evanston, Rock Springs and Green River Wyoming and local businesses in and around the Flaming Gorge area.

Roosevelt Ranger District (435) 722-5018: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Vernal Ranger District (435) 789-1181: All campgrounds are open with water and fees. Lodgepole Campground will be open with fees, but with no water or electricity, self contained recreational outfits only.


DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST (435) 865-3700 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie
Cedar City Ranger District (435) 865-3200: All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Yankee

Meadows campground which is open with fees, but no water. Cascade Falls is closed due to construction, but may be open by the end of July.

Escalante Ranger District (435) 826-5400: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Pine Valley Ranger District (435) 652-3100: All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Oak Grove campground which will be open with fees but no water all season. PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL CAMPFIRES ARE OUT AND COLD TO THE TOUCH. ABSOLUTELY NO FIREWORKS ON PUBLIC LANDS.

Powell Ranger District (435) 676-9300: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

FISHLAKE NATIONAL FOREST (435) 896-9233 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake
Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436: All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except, LeBaron Lake which is open, but does not have water. Big John Flat will not be open.

Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-4113: All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Oak Creek which will be open with fees and no water.

Fremont Ranger District (435) 836-2811: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

MANTI-LASAL NATIONAL FOREST (435) 637-2817 or www.fs.fed.us/4/mantilasal
Ferron/Price Ranger District (435) 637-2817 or (435) 384-2372: All campgrounds are open with water and fees except Flat Canyon campground, which is open but with no water. Trough Spring area will not be open for the weekend. Reeder Canyon Trail is closed. Residual smoke from the West Schofield Prescribed Fire is still visible.

Moab Ranger District (435) 259-7155: All campgrounds are open with water and fees

Monticello Ranger District (435) 587-2041: All campgrounds are open with water and fees. REMEMBER NO FIREWORKS ON PUBLIC LANDS.

SanPete Ranger District (435) 283-4151: All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except 12 Mile and Manti Community which will be open with no water but fees will be charged. Maple Canyon campground will be open with fees and does not have a water system. South Skyline Drive is still closed due to snow and 12 Mile Canyon Road is closed due to slide activity and slumping at the switchbacks.

UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST (801) 236-3400 OR (801) 342-5100
http://fs.usda.gov/uwcnf
Heber-Kamas Ranger District (435) 654-0470 or (435) 783-4338: All campgrounds located on the Mirror Lake Highway will be open with water and fees, except Trial Lake, Lily Lake, Lost Lake, Mirror Lake, Moosehorn, and Butterfly Lake campgrounds, which are closed due to snow and Lower Provo and Taylors Fork which will remain closed due to flooding. The lower loop in Mill Hollow campground is open with water and fees, Wolf Creek campground located along Wolf Creek Pass may not be open in time for the 4th of July weekend. Smith and Morehouse campground is open with water and fees, Ledgefork campground will be closed due to flood damage and may not be open for the 4th of July weekend.

Evanston/Mt. View Ranger District (307) 789-3194 or (307) 782-6555: All campgrounds are open with water and fees. The Lilly Lake Dump Station will be CLOSED for the July 4th weekend. Whitney Reservoir is accessible, but the public needs to use caution, roads and trails are still wet and muddy. The Bear River Ranger Station located on the Mirror Lake Highway is open 7 days a week, Sunday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hours on Friday and Saturdays are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (435) 642-6662.

Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. 3 Day passes are $6.00, 7-day passes are $12.00 and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at USDA Forest Service

Offices in Kamas Utah, Evanston Wyoming and local business in Kamas and Evanston. These passes are also valid in the American Fork Canyon area.

Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563: All campgrounds are open with water and fees. The Silver Lake Flat Road is closed at the Silver Lake trailhead due to flood damage. A recreation pass is required for the American Fork Canyon-Alpine Scenic Loop area and is available at local Forest Service offices or at the entrance stations to the Scenic Loop. The special use fee is $6.00 for a three-day pass per vehicle, $12.00 for a 7 day pass and $45.00 for the annual pass. These passes are also valid in the Mirror Lake Area.

Spanish Fork Ranger District (801) 798-3571: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Ogden Ranger District (801) 625-5306: All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620: All campgrounds are open with fees and some with water. Tony Grove campground is now open with fees, but no water and some units still have snow.

Salt Lake Ranger District (801) 466-6411: All campgrounds and picnic areas located in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are open with fees and most with water, except Albion Basin campground and the road leading into Albion Basin, will remain closed during the 4th of July weekend due to snow. Remember Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are Salt Lake City Municipal Watersheds and dogs are not allowed in these canyons.

Sunset and Bountiful Peak campgrounds are now open with water and fees. The Skyline Drive in Davis County between Ward Canyon and Farmington Canyon still has snow drifts, which continues to restrict travel. The South Willow Canyon Road located on the Stansbury Mountain Range in Tooele County will remain closed just above the Boy Scout campground due to flood damage until possibly mid to late July. Lower Narrows, Upper Narrows and Loop campgrounds will also remain closed until South Willow Canyon Road has been repaired. Cottonwood, Intake and Boy Scout campgrounds located along the lower portion of the South Willow Canyon Road are open with fees and no water.

Maryland DNR buys 110 IHEA/Remington Outdoor Foundation firearm training sets

The Maryland Natural Resources Police, an arm of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is providing new safety training resources to its hunter education instructors with a recent purchase of 110 firearm training sets from the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Remington Outdoor Foundation.

The new firearm training set features five firearms that include every action covered in Firearm Training SetIHEA's curriculum. Each firearm is completely disabled so it cannot discharge, which allows students to learn by doing with a tool that simulates an actual firearm in every way except for live fire.

According to Sgt. Linda Gaulden, supervisor of the Safety Education Division, the Maryland Hunter Education Program graduated more than 7,000 students last year and expects to reach that many again in 2010 with this innovative training tool.

"The Maryland Natural Resources Police is very excited about the IHEA/Remington Outdoor Foundation Training Gun Sets," said Sgt. Gaulden. "We feel the gun sets will greatly enhance our program, adding a whole new level of safety in our classrooms by removing live firing breech loading guns. The students will be able to handle five actions of firearms; we can use these to demonstrate shooting positions, crossing obstacles and fences, and tree stand and blind demonstrations. The list is endless as to how we will use these training guns in our teaching scenarios. They will certainly create a safer classroom environment while teaching the students proper handling of firearms."

Every firearm in the set - the Remington 870 pump action shotgun, Remington 11-87 semi-auto shotgun, Marlin bolt action .22, Marlin lever action centerfire 30/30, and H&R single barrel break action - features a blaze orange stock that is laser engraved with the IHEA and Remington Outdoor Foundation logos. These durable, high quality firearms are powder coated to make the metal parts resistant to rust and other elements.

"I personally was able to handle the training set firearms at the IHEA Conference in Colorado," said Sgt. Gaulden. "I was very impressed with the quality. The fluorescent orange stocks and forends will not allow these guns to get mixed up with your live fire inventory. The engraving on each gun that states they are a 'non-functioning firearm' is very clear. And the weight and balance of the training guns is exactly that of a normal functioning firearm."

A wheeled gun case is also available, allowing instructors to easily transport the firearms training set.

The firearm training set is ideal for IHEA as well as for law enforcement instructors and those who offer safety training at events introducing youth, women and others to hunting and target shooting.

"I think these IHEA training gun sets are a good investment now, due to the price reduction offered by Remington Outdoor Foundation, but the real investment will be the years of use we will get out of these sets and the thousands of Maryland Hunter Education students who will benefit from this wonderful training tool," said Sgt. Gaulden.

While the first order of 600 firearm training sets already has been placed, a second order will be made as soon as the minimum of 500 sets is met.

The 5-Firearm Training Set retails for $2,100 or $2,500 with the wheeled gun case. Nonprofit organizations can receive the special discounted price of $1,500 or $1,750 with the wheeled gun case.

Those living within the U.S. can place their order by contacting Tina West at Leorders@remington.com  or 1-800-852-7634.

Canadians can contact Adriana Maciocia at Adriana.maciocia@gravelagency.com  or 418-682-3000.

About the Maryland Natural Resources Police
Maryland Natural Resources PoliceThe Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/ .

About the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/ .

About International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)International Hunter Education Association
The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) is the professional association for the 69 member agencies and the 70,000 volunteer instructors who teach hunter education in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, South Africa and New Zealand. For more information, visit IHEA at http://www.ihea.com/ .

About Remington Outdoor Foundation
Remington Outdoor FoundationRemington Outdoor Foundation, which was founded in January 2009 as a nonprofit 501 (C) 3, supports the efforts of its partners to share hunting, target shooting and other outdoor traditions with youth, women and other participants while emphasizing safety, training and ethics. Remington Outdoor Foundation also upholds conservation principles through assisting partnership work on habitat enhancement, wildlife research and management projects. For more information, visit http://www.outdoorroadmap.com/ .

About OutdoorRoadmap.com
Remington Outdoor Foundation's website, OutdoorRoadmap.com, is expected to become the single online source of information and services related to hunting, target shooting and conservation. Outdoor Roadmap will host a vibrant community where visitors can trade tips, stories, photos and videos. By teaming with partners and a growing community of outdoor enthusiasts, OutdoorRoadmap.com will offer interactive maps and tools, product reviews, discounts on gear, event listings, training and licensing resources, and a wealth of outdoor information. OutdoorRoadmap.com will launch in September 2010. For more information about this state-of-the-art platform, visit http://www.outdoorroadmap.com/ .

Timpanogos Cave National Monument Summer Program Series

The National Park Service and the Uinta National Forest invite you to join us for our summer evening ranger programs. These free programs, presented by National Park Service Rangers, involve a wide variety of topics relating to our local natural resources, wildlife and history. The one-hour programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and are held at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center (unless otherwise noted). Please be aware that a $6.00 vehicle entrance fee is required to access American Fork Canyon. For further information call (801) 756-5238.

Every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. you are also invited to join Ranger Brad Woolstenhulme for a Junior Ranger program at the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center Programs are free, all ages welcome.

This Week's Programs
Location: Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor Center
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

“The Bling in Timpanogos Cave”
Friday, June 25
(Visitor Center) Jewels, gems, crystals, oh my! Come take a good look at the crystals found in the caves with Ranger Royce Shelley. Build your own‘crystal kit’ so you can grow similar crystals at home.

“The Discovery and Exploration of Utah’s Deepest Cave”
Saturday, June 26
(Visitor Center) In 2002 a small group of Utahan cave explorers discovered what could become the deepest cave in the continental United States, but as the cave goes progressively deeper they are reminded how dangerous cave exploration can be. Come join one of the original explorers as he shares stories and images of this amazing discovery.

“The Flowers of American Fork Canyon”
Sunday, June 27
(Visitor Center) Do these flowers belong here? Join Ranger Josh Butler and find out just what flowers are supposed to be growing in our canyon.

“Tracks, Crafts and Kids – Leaving Your Mark”
Monday, June 28
(Mutual Dell) Do tracks fascinate you? Explore the world of tracking with Ranger Kory Kowallis. Features a make and take track casting activity.

“C’Mon Everybody, Let’s Go Fishing!”
Friday, July 2
(Mile Rock Picnic Area, AF Canyon) Anglers, young and old, will get hooked on fishing while learning basic fishing techniques every person who wets a hook needs to know. Bring your own poles or use one of ours to practice what you’ve learned with Rangers Brad Woolstenhulme and Andrea Slaugh.

“There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills- Or is There?”
Saturday, July 3
(Visitor Center) Years ago people were drawn to American Fork Canyon to see if they could strike it rich mining precious ore. come hear the stories of those old-time miners, then try your hand at gold panning with Ranger Sue Bromley.

Junior Ranger: Birds of Prey with Ben Woodruff

“America’s Greatest Idea”Sunday, July 4
(Visitor Center) Join Ranger Marc Ellison for an inspirational and patriotic evening. Learn how the founding fathers’ ideals have become the rights and privileges we enjoy today, including the legacy of National Parks.

“SHIFT Happens! Whose FAULT is it?”
Monday, July 5
(Visitor Center) What is the likelihood of an earthquake happening along the Wasatch Fault? How big would it be? What damage would it do? What should we expect? Have these and other questions answered by Ranger Kristen Bromley.

New! Free ranger-guided tours of Cascade Springs.
June 7 – August 12, 2010
Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
All ages are invited to attend this free program. Join a ranger from Timpanogos Cave National Monument on a guided walk around Cascade Springs. Learn why the springs are there and the importance they have to the surrounding area.

New! Free ranger-guided walks on the Canyon Nature Trail
June 7 – August 12, 2010
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Meet with a ranger on the front steps of the Visitor Center. From there, enjoy a guided walk down the ¼ mile paved Canyon Nature Trail. Learn about the past, present and future of the canyon and its ecosystem.

Central Region Fishing Report

BURRASTON PONDS: (June 24) Angler report fair success with traditional baits and lures.



CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (June 24) Officer Shawn Bagley reports good success. The water is open and the pond is stocked regularly.


DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (June 24) Fishing is slow for walleye and good for trout. Officer Brandon Olson reports good fishing for bass with tube jigs and Mr. Twisters. Many anglers report good success for trout from the shoreline or a boat. The water level is high. There are a lot of boats in the early morning.


DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (June 24) Last week, Aquatics Manager Mike Slater reported fair fishing. He fished upstream from Rays Valley Bridge with both wet and dry flies, but only caught fish with dry flies.


GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report fair success with traditional baits and lures.


HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (June 24) Anglers report fair success with traditional baits and lures.


JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (June 24) Trout fishing is fair from a boat, a floattube or the shoreline with any methods. Bass success is improving.


KIDNEY POND: (June 24) Anglers report good success with baits and lures.


MIDAS POND: (June 24) Anglers report fair success with baits and lures.


MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (June 24) Officer Brandon Olson reports good fishing with baits or spinners.


NINE MILE RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report fair success with worms, PowerBait or spinners.


PALISADE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (June 24) Anglers report fair success with traditional baits and lures.


PAYSON LAKE: (June 24) Anglers are catching fish! We have reports of fair to good success with traditional baits and lures.


PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (June 24) Anglers report good success with small (size 20 or smaller) midge imitations above I-15 and up to Deer Creek Dam. Try sow bugs patterns too. The river is running a little high. Anglers are still having good success for white bass on the lower stretches of the river near Utah Lake.


PROVO RIVER, MIDDLE: (June 24) Warning: The Upper Provo above Jordanelle is running very, very high and is muddy. Fishing is not recommended. However, Officer Brandon Olson reports that fishing is fair with nymphs, streamers, spinners and Rapalas. There are special regulations on much of the Provo River. Read the Utah Fishing Guidebook before you head out.


SALEM POND: (June 24) Anglers report good fishing with traditional baits and lures.


SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report good fishing and moderate fishing pressure. Try fishing by the inlet in the morning and evening with small spinners tipped with a worm. Fishing is also good on the corner of the dam with nightcrawlers.


SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report good success with baits and lures.


SPRING LAKE: (June 24) Anglers report good success for trout and slow success for catfish. Try traditional baits and lures.


STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (June 24) Officer Paul Davis reports slow success overall. Cutthroat fishing is starting to pick up, but is just fair. Strawberry Project Leader Alan Ward reports a few good reports for rainbows and kokanee. Strawberry has special regulations, so read the Utah Fishing Guidebook before you head out.


THISTLE CREEK: (June 24) Last week, Aquatics Manager Mike Slater reported fair fishing. He fished upstream from Rays Valley Bridge with both wet and dry flies, but only caught fish with dry flies.


TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report fair success with traditional baits and lures.


UTAH LAKE: (June 24) Officer Shawn Bagley reports good success for white bass where the Provo River feeds the lake. Other anglers report hot success for white bass, catfish, blue gill and crappie. Use action lures tipped with bait.


VERNON RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report fair success. Try fishing with PowerBait or worms from the shore. There is moderate fishing pressure. Campsites are available.


VIVIAN PARK POND: (June 24) Anglers report fair fishing.


WILLOW POND: (June 24) Officer Mike Roach reports good fishing. The pond was recently stocked with trout and catfish.


YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (June 24) Anglers report fair success for walleye and pike.

Southeastern Fishing Report

Michelle Thomas of Spanish Fork holds the 2.5-pound albino rainbow trout she caught at Potters Pond on June 20, 2010.

Photo by Randall Stilson

ABAJO MOUNTAINS: (June 15) Sergeant J. Shirley reports slow fishing in the Monticello and Blanding area over the weekend, presumably due to the cold, windy and wet conditions. Very few anglers ventured to the area waters, but some good-sized fish were caught at Loyd's Lake, including a 4-pound, 22-inch rainbow. For Blanding #3 and 4, try baits like marshmallows, PowerBait or nightcrawlers. A Jakes lure is the best performing spinner. At Dry Wash Reservoir, try silver or gold Jakes lures. Two weeks ago, Sergeant Shirley reported good fishing at Recapture Reservoir for bass, pike and catfish. He recommended fishing for pike and bass from a boat or from another watercraft. Anglers should cast into shallow water toward the shoreline and then reel back out into deeper water. You can catch catfish at the reservoir with any type of bait.


CLEVELAND RESERVOIR: (June 15) The reservoir is ice-free. Fishing has been slow in the reservoir, but better in the creek. Baits have been less effective than flies or lures.



DUCK FORK RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report good success for 14- to 20-inch tiger trout with gold or silver Jakes lures. The tributaries are closed until the second Saturday in July. Duck Fork has special regulations. Read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more details.


ELECTRIC LAKE: (June 15) Anglers report good fishing. Pop gear tipped with nightcrawlers should help you catch 14- to 16-inch trout.


FERRON RESERVOIR: (June 15) Aquatics Technician Randall Stilson reports fair fishing for small brook trout and 14- to 15-inch rainbow trout. Nightcrawlers and PowerBait have been effective baits.


GIGLIOTTI POND: (June 15) Nightcrawlers, PowerBait, and Power Nuggets were the best baits at last week's fishing events. Try yellow, orange or lime green colored bait. The area around the dam seemed to offer better fishing than other locations. The limit at the pond is two fish.


GOOSEBERRY RESERVOIR: (June 24) Tom Ogden flyfished from a tube on June 22 and reported good fishing for fish under 13 inches. He used a size 10 beadhead black, purple and red soft hackle fly on medium sinkline.


GRASSY LAKE: (June 24) Although the lake has been stocked, anglers report slow fishing.


HUNTINGTON NORTH RESERVOIR: (June 24) Except for early mornings, the reservoir is used mostly for water sports. The reservoir has special regulations. Read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more details.


HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR: (June 24) Tom Ogden flyfished from a tube on June 22 and reported very good fishing for 10- to 12-inch trout. His largest trout was 16 inches. Tom used a size 8 beadhead black and green soft hackle fly on medium sinkline. He cast toward the shore and let his fly sink before stripping in the line. The reservoir has special regulations. Read the Utah Fishing Guidebook for more details.


JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR: (June 24) On June 23, James Gilson reported slow fishing. He and his son fished caught six trout under 18 inches in about five hours from a boat. Try using chubs or chub meat.


LA SAL MOUNTAINS: (June 15) A week ago, Conservation Officer TJ Robertson provided the following report:

Dons Lake: Fishing has been good with bright-colored baits and all types of lures. Good choices include Jakes lures, small spoons and Roostertails.

Hidden Lake: Fishing has been excellent, regardless of the bait. Small spoons, Jakes spinners and Roostertails have been the best lures.

Kens Lake: Bass fishing is picking up as the water temperature rises. Typical bass lures, like doubletail divers, have been effective. Trout fishing is fair to good. Fish in the early morning or evening with PowerBait, nightcrawlers or salmon eggs for best results. The best spinner is a Jakes lure.

Oowah Reservoir: The access road is now open. Hold-over trout have been hitting small lures and flies. The reservoir should be stocked by the end of the week.

Rattlesnake Ranch: Fishing has been good with all types of baits. The property surrounding the lake is privately-owned. Please keep your vehicles on established roads and pack out any garbage.

Warner Lake: The gate is open but fishing has been slow. Stocking is expected to occur by the end of the week.


MILLER FLAT RESERVOIR: (June 24) Anglers report good fishing—especially with orange or green PowerBait.


MILLSITE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (June 24) Aquatics Technician Bill Mitchell reports slow fishing in the full reservoir. Bill said that bright green PowerBait outperformed nightcrawlers.


PETES HOLE: (June 24) Anglers report good fishing with nightcrawlers, Panther Martins or bronze or silver Jakes lures.


POTTERS PONDS: (June 24) Anglers report good fishing—especially with orange or green PowerBait. Michelle Thomas of Spanish Fork caught a 2.5-pound albino rainbow last weekend.


SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: (June 24) Aquatics Technician Randall Stilson reports fair fishing. He caught two big fish on June 12. Willy Brock caught a 27-inch, 8-pound tiger trout, and Ryan Jones hooked a 24-inch, 6-pound tiger. Both anglers used chub meat as bait. On June 16, Stilson interviewed five anglers who had been trolling with a Lucky Craft Rapala. The five anglers hooked 82 trout—ranging from 14 to 18 inches—in three hours. The catch included a mixture of rainbows, tigers and a few cutthroats.

Scofield has special regulations. Make sure you read the Utah Fishing Guidebook before you head out.


WILLOW LAKE: (June 15) Fishing is fair. Last weekend, Thad Morris caught three 16- to 17-inch tigers with nightcrawlers.


WRIGLEY SPRINGS RESERVOIR: (June 15) The reservoir may have winterkill. Stocking should happen soon.

Upland Game Guidebook Available

It’s hot in Utah right now. But if you visit your local sporting goods store or the Division of Wildlife Resources’ website, you’ll find a sure sign that fall is on its way.

Utah’s Upland Game Guidebook for the 2010 – 2011 hunting season is now available.

In addition to sporting goods stores and the DWR’s website (www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks), you can pick the free guide up at your nearest DWR office.

Utah’s upland game seasons begin on Aug. 21. That’s when the white-tailed ptarmigan hunt starts. The upland game seasons won’t end until the cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare hunts end on Feb. 28.

That’s six full months of hunting.

In addition to providing hunters with lots of opportunity, Utah’s upland game also provide a lot of diversity.

“If you want, you can hunt white-tailed ptarmigan high in the Uinta Mountains one day and chukar partridge on the rocky slopes of the West Desert the next,” says Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the DWR. “Utah provides a wide variety of upland game experiences.”


Great hunt for kids
Upland game hunting is also a great way to introduce young people to hunting. Many of the state’s upland game species can be taken with small firearms. And most of the hunts aren’t strenuous.

“If you want to have fun with your kids and introduce them to the sport of hunting, upland game hunting is the perfect way,” Olsen says.

There’s no minimum age at which a person can start hunting upland game in Utah. But children must pass the state’s Hunter Education course before they can hunt.

The Hunter Education classes usually meet two nights a week for four weeks. Because the hunts are getting closer, it’s important to enroll your child in a class as soon as you can.

After passing the course, your child will receive a free hunting license. He or she can use that license to hunt upland game and waterfowl in Utah this season.

You can find a list of Hunter Education classes at www.wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation .

Deer Permits Sell out June 23 but 19,000 Bull Elk Permits remain

Photo by Lynn Chamberlain, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Permits to hunt buck deer in Utah this fall sold out on June 23. “With the exception of 1,500 archery permits that will be available next month to hunters who are 18 years of age or younger, all of Utah deer permits are gone,” says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “But plenty of general bull elk permits are still available. This should be a great year to hunt elk.”

The state’s general archery elk season starts Aug. 21. The DWR isn’t limited as to the number of general archery elk permits it can sell, so there’s no problem getting one.

In addition to the archery permits, more than 10,300 permits to hunt on spike bull elk units were still available on June 24. More than 8,900 permits were also available to hunt on the state’s any bull elk units.

Elk permits are available at the DWR’s website (http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/), from more than 300 license agents across Utah and at any DWR office.

Elk hunting advice
“If you’re new to elk hunting, I’d encourage you to buy a permit to hunt on the spike bull units,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR. “There are plenty of spike bulls in Utah. And there’s a lot of public land to hunt them on.”

If you decide to chase mature bulls on an any bull unit, Aoude says the two Uinta Mountains units—the North Slope unit and the South Slope unit—are your best bet.

“If you look at the map on pages 76 and 77 of the 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook, you can see that Utah has quite a few any bull elk units,” Aoude says. “There’s a challenge to hunting these units, though: with the exception of the North Slope and South Slope units, these units are either covered by private land or they don’t have a lot of elk on them.”

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

The 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .

Upcoming Utah State Parks Events

July 15 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - Escalante
Geology Hike - A Forest Turned to Stone: How did a forest turn to stone? Find the answer on this guided hike to the Petrified Forest. Meet at the visitor center at 11 a.m. (435) 826-4466

July 16 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Moon Mysteries: Meet Earth's nearest neighbor through stories and activities. Observe the magnificent moon by telescope. Program begins at the visitor center at 9 p.m. (435) 826-4466

July 17 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Huber Grove History Tour: Tour historic Huber Grove from 10 to 11 a.m. Visit this beautiful, peaceful area and learn about the orchard. Tour is free and open to the public. (435) 654-1791

Youth Off-Highway Vehicle and Personal Watercraft Education Courses now Available Online

Salt Lake City – In an effort to meet growing demand for off-highway vehicle (OHV) and personal watercraft (PWC) youth education courses, Utah State Parks now offers online courses at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/.

OHV course fees are $30 and cover ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and side-by-side ATVs. PWC courses, which cover JetSki and SeaDoo-type boats, are $34.95, which include a $5 certification fee. Upon successful completion of coursework, students print temporary certificates valid for 60 days and later receive permanent certificates by mail.

Students are strongly encouraged to thoroughly study all materials prior to testing. If they do not pass the course, they must pay a second registration fee to retake the test.

“Safety is our number one concern. We want to reduce accidents by educating youth to operate ATVs and PWC safely, wear safety equipment, and follow laws and rules,” stated OHV/PWC Education Coordinator Ann Evans. “Online courses provide easier access to education courses and allow students to learn at their own pace.”

Utah law requires youth eight to 16 to complete the Utah State Parks Know Before You Go! OHV Education Course before operating a machine on public lands, roads or trails. It is illegal for any child under age eight to operate an OHV on public land.

Utah youth, 12 to 17 years of age, are required to complete and pass the Utah PWC Education Course in order to operate these types of boats without an adult on board. Children younger than 12, may not operate a PWC without a responsible adult on board.

Since the creation of the education courses, approximately 22,000 students have completed the PWC course and more than 60,000 students have taken the OHV course.

For more information, visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/, call (800) OHV-RIDE or (800) RIDE PWC.

New Model 111 Folding Knives from Browning Improve on Popular Design

Morgan, UT—Browning’s new Model 111 Folding Knives are designed by Russ Kommer and packed with practical features. Kommer took an old design and added his expertise in knife design to make them even more user friendly.

The knives are designed with grooved handles that are constructed from either rugged G-10 or walnut. Handles on the knives are contoured for a comfortable, sure grip. The bolsters add to the beauty and balance of the knives.

Each 3 ¼” blade is made of Sandvik® 12C27 stainless steel. The blades are easy to sharpen and hold an excellent edge. A Browning Buckmark logo is etched into each blade for a unique look only to a Browning knife.

The ultra-thin construction of the Browning 111 knives allow them to slide easily into a pocket without adding excess bulk.

The Model 111D with black G-10 scales has a suggested retail price of $34.95. The Model 111C with walnut scales has a suggested retail price of $39.95.

Operation Dry Water at Lake Powell and Willard Bay State Park

Willard – Utah State Parks boating rangers, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and U.S. Coast Guard, sponsor two boating under the influence (BUI) checkpoints Saturday, June 26 at Halls Crossing Marina area on Lake Powell and the South Marina at Willard Bay State Park. Other local enforcement agencies will assist in the effort.

Operation Dry Water is a coordinated, national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities.

In 2007, U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate 21 percent of all boating fatalities were a result of alcohol use. This continues an upward trend in the percentage of fatalities where alcohol was the primary cause of the accident.

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and six U.S. territories.

For more information on boating in Utah, visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ or call (801) 538-BOAT. Wear it, Utah!

Grouse and Sandhill Crane Hunt Applications accepted starting June 24

Applications for three different Utah bird hunts will be accepted soon.


Starting June 24, the Division of Wildlife Resources will accept applications for this fall’s sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and sandhill crane hunts.

To be included in the draw for permits, your application must be received through http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/  no later than 11 p.m. on July 8.

You can also apply over-the-phone by calling the nearest DWR office no later than 6 p.m. on July 8.

If you’re not going to hunt grouse or cranes this year, you can still apply for a preference point. Hunters with preference points have the best chance at obtaining a permit in 2011.

If you apply for a permit, you’ll know by July 29 whether you drew one.


Sandhill crane tips
Those who obtain a sandhill crane permit you can expect a good hunt. “About 60 percent of the hunters who draw a permit and go afield to hunt cranes usually take one,” says Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the DWR.

Aldrich says scouting before the hunt is the key to success. “I’d encourage hunters to watch sandhill cranes in the mornings and the evenings, when they fly between their roosting and feeding areas,” he says. “Find the fields they’re feeding in. Then get written permission from the landowner to set up in that field.”

Aldrich says you can also find success pass shooting birds as they fly between roosting and feeding areas.

“Hunting success is pretty consistent from year-to-year,” Aldrich says. “Weather and other factors don’t affect the success rate much.”


Reminder
Aldrich reminds you that some areas in Box Elder and Cache counties are closed to sandhill crane hunting.

In Box Elder County, the western half of the county is closed. The Harold Crane, Public Shooting Grounds and Salt Creek waterfowl management areas, and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, are also closed to crane hunting.

In Cache County, a 1½-mile by 11-mile area in and around Mendon is closed.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Major Deer and Elk Hunting Changes

If you enjoy hunting deer or elk in Utah, you need to take note—ideas are being floated that could dramatically change when the hunts are held in 2011.

You can learn about the possible changes—and let the Division of Wildlife Resources know what you think about its ideas—by logging onto a new Web page.

The page is available at the DWR’s website. The address is www.go.usa.gov/3v4 .

When you arrive at the page, you’ll find information about the proposed changes. You’ll also find a brief questionnaire. Answering the questionnaire will allow biologists to know what you think about the ideas.

“If you enjoy hunting deer and elk in Utah, you need to visit the site and let us know what you think,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR.

Aoude also encourages you to share your ideas with members of the Utah Wildlife Board and the state’s Regional Advisory Councils. E-mail addresses for the board and RAC members are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings .

“The board will decide which ideas to approve when it meets Dec. 2,” Aoude says. “Even though their meeting is a few months away, right now is the time to let the board and RACs know what you think.”

Free TonyBurger in Salt Lake

All right! 

Tonyburgers is now open in Salt Lake and you can celebrate with a free burger.  Just sign up for their newsletter and enjoy!

http://www.tonyburgers.com/Tonyburgers/Tonyburgers.html

Coupon can only be redeemed at the Salt Lake location.

Upcoming Utah State Park Events

July 9 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
New Moon/Starlight Hike: Join the park naturalist at 8:30 p.m. for a hike along portions of the Deer Creek Trail under the light of the stars. We'll have a chance to watch the sunset, and enjoy the incredible views over Deer Creek Reservoir. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight and dress for the weather. (435) 654-1791

July 10 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Volunteer Project: Help us construct a buck and rail fence at 8 a.m. Meet at the park headquarters located near the bison corrals. (801) 807-9456 or (801) 209-4678

July 10 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Trail Work Day: Help work on the trails at Dutch Hollow at 9 a.m. Projects include re-routing trails, adding and fixing water bars, and pruning vegetation. Meet at the Dutch Hollow Trailhead off River Road in Midway. (435) 654-1791

July 10 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Evening Program - Hawks Up Close: Join us at 7 p.m. to view a local bird of prey and learn all about raptors in this one-hour program for families. Meet at the campground amphitheater. 435) 654-1791

July 10 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum – Sevier
Day Camp for People with Disabilities: Join us for a fun-filled, educational experience including hiking, crafts, stories, and games teaching about the natural and cultural history of Clear Creek Canyon. Activities run concurrently throughout the day for a variety of ability levels. Pre-registration is required. (435) 527-4631

July 10 Rock Cliff Nature Center/Jordanelle State Park - Francis
Junior Ranger Program - Nest Quest: Children six to 10 are invited from 11 a.m. to noon to learn about bird nests, make one to take home and go for a hike to find nests. Children earn a badge and certificate. Rock Cliff is located on the southeast end of the reservoir. (435) 782-3030


July 10 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Old Spanish Trail: The general route of the Old Spanish Trail passes through central Utah. At 11 a.m. join Lydia Jakovac from Fishlake National Forest for a photographic presentation about the Old Spanish Trail and efforts to add the Fishlake Cutoff of the Old Spanish Trail to the National Historic Trail. (435) 527-4631

Check out State Park Passes at 77 Utah Libraries

Salt Lake City – After its first and successful program in 2009, Utah State Parks is once again working with municipal and county library systems to place Annual Park Passes in area libraries; Check It Out!

Library patrons check out an Annual Park Pass, as they would a book or CD, and visit the parks of their choice. The Annual Park Pass allows the person who checks out the pass and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle, day-use entrance to most Utah State Parks. Passes are not valid at This Is The Place Heritage Park, and do not cover Davis County Causeway fees at Antelope Island State Park.

Throughout 2010, passholders also receive $2 off camping fees, seven days a week (excluding holidays and holiday weekends). This discount is honored through the reservation call center and at state park campgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis, but not through the online reservation system. Discount applies to one campsite per night per pass.

“It was our intention this program would encourage new visitors to check out their state parks, and it did. But we also found that Annual Passes were used by those having a tough time financially,” said Utah State Parks Director Mary Tullius. “We’re proud of this program and how it has helped Utahns.”

According to Check It Out Program Manager Nichole Mallory, participating libraries stretch from every corner of the state, from Hyrum to Dugway, and Kanab to Vernal. The Salt Lake County Library System reported their 20 libraries checked out the passes 407 times. Participating libraries include:

American Fork Library, American Fork
Anderson-Foothill Branch, Salt Lake City
Bingham Creek Library, West Jordan
Brigham City Library, Brigham City
Cedar City Library, Cedar City
Centerville Branch Library, Centerville
Central Branch Library, Layton
Chapman Branch, Salt Lake City
Columbus Library, South Salt Lake City
Corinne and Jack Sweet Branch, Salt Lake
Davis County Library, Farmington
Day-Riverside Branch, Salt Lake City
Delta City Library, Delta
Draper City Library, Draper
Dugway Post Library, Dugway
Eagle Mountain Public Library, Eagle Mountain
East Millcreek Library, Salt Lake City
Escalante City Library, Escalante
Fillmore City Library, Fillmore
Garden City Library, Garden City
Garland Public Library, Garland
Grand County Public Library, Grand County
Helper Library, Helper
Herriman Library, Herriman
Highland City Library, Highland
Holladay Library, Holladay
Hunter Library, West Valley City
Hyrum Library, Hyrum
Iron County Bookmobile, Iron County
Kamas City Library, Kamas
Kanab City Library, Kanab
Kaysville Branch Library, Kaysville
Kearns Library, Kearns
Lewiston Library, Lewiston
Logan Library, Logan
Magna City Library, Magna
Minersville Library, Minersville
Monroe Library, Monroe
Morgan County Library, Morgan County
Murray City Library, Murray
Newton Town Library, Newton
North Branch Library, Clearfield
North Logan City Library, North Logan
Northwest Branch Library, Syracuse
Orem Public Library, Orem
Park City Library, Park City
Parowan Library, Parowan
Payson City Library, Payson City
Pleasant Grove City Library
Rich County Library, Rich County
Richfield Public Library, Richfield
Riverton Library, Riverton
Ruth V. Tyler Library, Midvale
Salem City Library, Salem
Salt Lake City Library System, Salt Lake City
Salt Lake County Library System, Salt Lake County
San Juan County Library, San Juan County
Sandy Library, Sandy
Sanpete County Bookmobile, Sanpete
Smithfield Library, Smithfield
South Branch Library, Bountiful
South Jordan Library, South Jordan
Spanish Fork Library, Spanish Fork
Sprague Branch, Salt Lake City
Springville Public Library, Springville
Taylorsville Library, Taylorsville
Tooele City Library, Tooele
Tooele County Bookmobile, Grantsville
Tremonton City Library, Tremonton
Uintah County Library, Vernal
Utah County Bookmobile, Mapleton
Wasatch County Library, Wasatch County
Washington County Library, Washington County
Weber County Library, Weber County
West Jordan Library, West Jordan
West Valley Library, West Valley City
Whitmore Library, Salt Lake City

For more information, visit stateparks.utah.gov/rockin-utah or call (801) 538-7220 or 877-UTPARKS.

Free Samples of new Bulls-Eye Barbecue Sauces

Just in time for summer grilling, get two free sample sized packets of the new Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauces by linking here.

Samples are limited and going fast.

Biologists find big trout during Flaming Gorge Surveys

Dutch John -- Freezing temperatures and rising winds couldn’t keep Matt Breen and Calvin Black from breaking out in a big grin.

As they pulled the first lake trout out of the water that day, they knew the fish was a monster.

And was it ever: it weighed more than 29 pounds!

The two Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists were helping Ryan Mosley set and pull nets on the first day of the annual fisheries survey at Flaming Gorge Reservoir last May.

Mosley is the UDWR’s aquatic project leader at Flaming Gorge. Based on years of data, he and the other biologists say fishing should be good at the reservoir this year.

“The data hasn't been summarized [yet], but this year's catch shows a healthy population for anglers to target this fishing season,” Mosley says.

Mosley says rainbow trout were well represented in the nets. Many of the rainbows pushed 20 inches in length. They weighed about three pounds each.

“We also sampled 37 fish in our lake trout nets,” he says. “The fish looked good. The largest lake trout weighed 29.1 pounds, which is about the threshold the nets can handle.”

Mosley says the water in mid-May was too cold for smallmouth bass to show up in the nets.

So what are his recommendations for this year?

“Come out and enjoy the great fishing at the Gorge," he says. “The person who coined the phrase ‘Money can't buy you happiness’ never bought a Utah fishing license!”

Mosley also encourages you to take a limit of lake trout and smallmouth bass home with you. Reducing these predators will help the reservoir’s kokanee salmon, lake trout and smallmouth bass fisheries.

Also, please remember that you must kill and keep all the burbot you catch.


Trend netting
Since fish don’t voluntarily rise to the surface whenever biologists need to see them, researchers use a variety of techniques to catch fish so they can study them.

One of those techniques involves catching fish in nets.

“Gill netting has been used as a fisheries monitoring tool on Flaming Gorge since 1965, three years after it began filling,” Mosley says. “[The gill net monitoring] is a coordinated effort between the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.”

Although the methods biologists use have changed a little over the last 40 years, they still sample at the same sites, using the same type of nets and sampling at the same time of the year.

These standard procedures remove variability from the data they collect.

UDWR biologists currently sample at 10 sites. The sites extend from the Green River arm at the head of the reservoir, all the way down to Jarvies Canyon, about five miles from the dam.

Biologists set the nets each May when the water temperature reaches about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Comparing the results of a capture technique over time allows biologists to detect trends they may not see if they looked at data only from a single day. These trends include the size of the population, the health and condition of the fish and what the fish are eating.

Depending on these trends (and other trends collected using additional sampling tools), managers can make changes to address potential concerns. “For example, biologists observed an increase in the abundance of lake trout back in the 1990s and early 2000s,” Mosley says. “Unfortunately, they also noted a severe decline in the Utah chub population and a corresponding decline in [the number of kokanee salmon.]”

As the Utah chub declined, Mosley says the lake trout in Flaming Gorge started eating kokanee salmon. To address this population imbalance, the lake trout limit at the reservoir was liberalized.

The current regulation, which dates back to 2006, allows anglers to keep up to eight lake trout. But only one of those fish can be longer than 28 inches.

For more information about fishing at Flaming Gorge, call the UDWR’s Flaming Gorge office at 435-885-3164.

Big Trout Stocked in Northeastern Utah

Vernal -- Rainbow trout are usually 10 inches or less when the Division of Wildlife Resources stocks them in waters across Utah.

That’s not the case in northeastern Utah, though. Personnel from the DWR’s Whiterocks State Fish Hatchery have included about 1,200 Kamloops rainbows with the smaller fish.

Each of these rainbows weighs between two and three pounds. And about 500 of the 1,200—the ones placed in Steinaker Reservoir north of Vernal—have been tagged with special tags as part of a Family Fishing Event.

If you catch a fish with a special tag, you can turn it in for a prize.

The Family Fishing Event is sponsored by radio stations and businesses in the Uinta Basin, Utah State Parks and the DWR.

For more information about the event, call 435-722-5011.



Big fish
The 1,200 fish that Whiterocks hatchery manager Dana Dewey and his staff have been placing in waters in northeastern Utah are called brood stock. Hatchery workers raised the fish for breeding purposes.

The workers create young trout by fertilizing eggs from female trout with milt from male trout. The young Kamloops rainbows they raise are then stocked into some of the deepest and coldest lakes and reservoirs in Utah.

The hatchery had about 1,200 extra brood stock rainbows this year, so hatchery workers decided to add them to the fish they’re stocking in northeastern Utah.

The fish weigh between two and three pounds each. Each one should provide a lucky angler with a thrill, even it if doesn’t carry a special tag!

Four Free Shooting Clinics offered on June 19

Salt Lake City -- Does learning how to shoot a shotgun at a target that’s sailing through the air sound like fun?


How about learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, or maybe even a muzzleloader?

Have you always wanted to shoot on a shooting range, but you haven’t because you’re not sure what the rules are?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may want to attend one of the free clinics the Division of Wildlife Resources is offering on June 19.

The clinics will be held at the same time—from 9 a.m. until noon—so you’ll need to choose which clinic you want to attend. And you’ll want to register soon. Each clinic is limited to the first 20 people who register for it.

You can register by contacting RaLynne Takeda at (801) 538-4753 or ralynnetakeda@utah.gov .

The DWR will hold the free clinics at its Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City. The range is at 6000 W. 2100 S.

DWR instructors will provide all the equipment you’ll need. But if you have your own equipment, please bring it.


What you’ll learn
Depending on which clinic you attend, you’ll learn and do the following:


Shotgun
You’ll learn basic shotgun shooting techniques. Then you’ll get a chance to shoot at plenty of flying clay targets on the shotgun shooting range!


Muzzleloader
You’ll learn about different types of muzzleloaders. Then you’ll have a chance to shoot at targets with them.


Archery
You’ll learn about various bows, arrows and the latest archery equipment. Then you’ll shoot arrows at a variety of targets.


Learn about shooting ranges
You’ll learn basic firearm safety, including how to identify and unload various types of firearms. You’ll also learn how shooting ranges operate and basic procedures you need to follow. Then you’ll get a chance to shoot on the range!

For more information, contact Takeda at (801) 538-4753 or ralynnetakeda@utah.gov .

Update on High Waters in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests

SALT LAKE CITY, June 11, 2010 – Areas on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest still affected by high water include Little Cottonwood Canyon, American Fork Canyon, North Slope of the High Uintas, Mirror Lake Highway, Stansbury Mountain Range and the Weber River area near Kamas.

Forest visitors need adhere to road closure signage or blockades. Travelers should not attempt to cross roads where water is flowing across. Visitors should use extreme caution when recreating around fast moving streams or rivers. Also, parents should keep children and pets close-by and insure they understand the dangers of fast moving water.

There are a limited number of campgrounds, picnic areas trails and roads that are under emergency closures to protect public health and safety due to the high water and run-off.

These are:

Salt Lake Ranger District:
 Little Cottonwood Creek Trail – Closed
 Upper Narrows and Lower Narrows Loop Campgrounds, South Willow Canyon, Stansbury Mountains – Closed
 South Willow Canyon Road from Boy Scout Campground to Loop Campground - Closed

Pleasant Grove Ranger District:
 Sawmill Picnic Area, American Fork Canyon – Closed
 Mineral Basin Road closed just above Baker Fork in American Fork Canyon – Closed
 Portions of the trail around Tibble Fork Reservoir are still impassable due to water.

Heber-Kamas Ranger District:
 Ledgefork Campground, Weber River Area near Kamas – Closed
 Lower Provo River Campground, Mirror Lake Highway – Closed
 Soapstone Campground, Mirror Lake Highway – the lower loop is Closed

Evanston/Mt. View Ranger District:
 Bear River Campground, North Slope of Uintas – Closed
 West Fork of the Bear, North Slope of the Uintas -Closed
 East Fork of the Blacks Fork going to Hewinta - Closed
 East Fork of the Blacks Fork, south of Uinta Junction, North Slope of the Uintas – Closed to Sedans
 Bridger Lake Campground, North Slope of Uintas – Closed
 West Marsh Lake Campground, North Slope of Uintas - Closed
 Hoop Lake Campground, North Slope of Uintas - Closed
 Access road to Hoop Lake Campground, North Slope of the Uintas - Closed
 The Middle Beaver Creek Road to West Beaver Creek on the North Slope of the Uintas - Closed

Information on emergency closures will be updated as information becomes available. Forinformation on the North Slope road closures, contact the Evanston-Mt. View Ranger District at307-789-3194 or 307-782-6555.

Please note: The US Forest Service is responsible for managing National Forest System (NFS) roads. Closures on state or county roads crossing NFS lands are managed by their respective jurisdictions.

For information on specific campground closures, contact campground concessionaire American Land & Leisure at (801) 226-3564.

June – August 1 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Art Exhibit: Enjoy watercolor paintings by Trina Strong on display in the Sagebrush Art Gallery. (435) 527-4631


June 26 Yuba State Park - Levan
Yuba Treasure Hunt: Join Yuba State Park staff for a global positioning system (GPS) treasure hunt at 3 p.m. at the Oasis day-use pavilion. (435) 758-2611


June 30 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - Escalante
Bird Watching: Enjoy an easy stroll around the park and learn to identify birds by sight and sound. Binoculars and field guides are provided. Meet at the visitor center at 8:30 a.m. (435) 826-4466


July 2 – 3 Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum - Fillmore
Independence Day Activities: On July 2, enjoy a children's parade and activities beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a game of Rounders at 7 p.m., and end the evening with a youth pioneer dance from 9 to 11 p.m. On July 3, celebrate all day with food, games, entertainment and activities. (435) 743- 5316


July 2 Anasazi State Park Museum - Boulder
Why Cowboys Sing - Music Rooted in the Land and Work of Utah: Join folklorist Hal Cannon at 7 p.m. for a discussion on the Utah musical experience, listen to recordings and songs, and watch a short film he co-produced. (435) 335-7308


July 3 Rock Cliff Nature Center/ Jordanelle State Park – Francis
Junior Ranger Program - Daytime Moon: Children six to 10 are invited to join the park naturalist at 11 a.m. to learn why the moon is up in the daytime. Children earn a badge and certificate. Rock Cliff is located on the southeast end of the reservoir. (435) 782-3030


July 3 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Huber Grove History Tour: Tour historic Huber Grove from 10 to 11 a.m. Visit this beautiful, peaceful area and learn about the Huber family and the Mormon west. Tour is free and open to all. (435) 654-1791


July 3 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Owls – Nature’s Super-Duper Mouse Trap: Join the park naturalist as we discover one of nature’s most state-of-the-art hunters. We'll discuss owl adaptations, and then go on a short owl prowl to try and locate these masters of the night. Program begins at 8:30 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. (435) 654-1791


July 3 Yuba State Park – Levan
Fire Safety: Join us at 6 p.m. at the Oasis day-use pavilion for a program on fire safety. Learn tips on how to be safe around campfires and fireworks. (435) 758-2611

High Water Updates to Utah's Forest Areas

SALT LAKE CITY, June 8, 2010 – Areas and roads still inundated by water have been temporarily closed off to the public. Forest crews continue to manage water flows and mitigate impacts.

Areas affected by swift, high water include Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons, American Fork Canyon, North Slope of the High Uintas, Mirror Lake Highway, Stansbury Mountain Range and the Weber River area near Kamas.

Forest officials emphasize for their own safety that visitors adhere to road closure signage or blockades. Travelers should not attempt to cross roads where water is flowing across. Visitors should use extreme caution when recreating around fast moving streams or rivers. Also, parents should keep children and pets close-by and insure they understand the dangers of fast moving water. In the affected areas, a limited number of campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads are under emergency closures to protect public health and safety due to the high water and run-off.

Currently, these are:

 Ledgemere Picnic area, Big Cottonwood Canyon – Closed

 Temple Quarry Trailhead, Little Cottonwood Canyon – Closed

 Upper Narrows and Lower Narrows Loop Campgrounds, South Willow Canyon, Stansbury Mountains – Closed

 Sawmill Picnic Area, American Fork Canyon – Closed

 Ledgefork Campground, Weber River Area near Kamas – Closed

 Lower Provo River Campground, Mirror Lake Highway – Closed

 Soapstone Campground, Mirror Lake Highway – partially Closed

 Stillwater Campground, North Slope of Uintas – partially Closed

 Bear River Campground, North Slope of Uintas – Closed

 East Fork of the Bear, North Slope of Uintas – Closed

 Portions of the trail around Tibble Fork Reservoir are impassable.

For information on specific campground closures, contact campground concessionaire American Land & Leisure at (801) 226-3564.

Forest roads under emergency closure include:

 Mineral Basin Road closed just above Baker Fork in American Fork Canyon

 East Fork of the Blacks Fork, south of Uinta Junction, North Slope of the Uintas

 Access road to Hoop Lake Campground, North Slope of the Uintas.

 The Middle Beaver Creek Road to Fallen Creek on the North Slope of the Uintas

Information on emergency closures will be updated as information becomes available. For information on the North Slope road closures, contact the Evanston-Mt. View Ranger District at 307-789-3194 or 307-782-6555. Please note: The US Forest Service is responsible for managing National Forest System (NFS) roads. Closures on state or county roads crossing NFS lands are managed by their respective jurisdictions.

Utah State Parks Safe Boating Tip of the Week

Salt Lake City -- Remember these three basic navigation rules to be safe on the water: proper lookout, safe speed, and safe distance. These three key principles will help you avoid a collision with another vessel, a person in the water, or potential water hazard.

The boat operator is required to keep a proper lookout, by sight and hearing, at all times while on the water. Boaters must be aware of where they are going and pay attention to the actions of other boaters. Make sure to look for other boats before making any turns.

Boats should be operated at safe speeds at all times in order to react to potentially hazardous situations. In some situations, the best speed may be wakeless speed. Never operate a boat faster than you feel comfortable or that your skills will allow.

Operate boats at safe distances to have adequate time and distance to react to prevailing circumstances. Utah's Speed and Proximity Law requires boaters to operate their vessel at a wakeless speed when they are within 150 feet of another boat, a person in the water or who is being towed by another boat, shore anglers, launch ramps and docks, designated swimming areas, or whenever in a wakeless speed zone.

For additional boating information go to http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ or (801) 538-BOAT. Wear it Utah!