Ice Fishing Begins At Scofield, Strawberry Is Next

Scofield has 2-5 inches of ice, according to a DWR report today. The area near the dam and some other spots freeze early and people have been fishing there for a few days. With this cold weather, the entire lake is now solid. Fishing is usually very good during the first couple weeks after ice-on.

Bays at Strawberry will probably have fishable ice this weekend, although the main lake will probably not yet be safe.

I haven't heard any reports but I bet Otter Creek is now solid, and most other Traditional Utah ice fishing waters will freeze quickly now.

Always use caution when venturing onto new ice.

Explore Indian Country

I've started a new website to provide information about attractions and adventures in Indian Country, in the Southwestern U.S.

I've moved to the site many of my articles about ancient rock art and ruins.

I'm adding info about Navajo and other tribal culture and area attractions. I'm also posing information about pow wows and other Native American events, plus places where you can buy authentic Indian rugs, art and craft items.

I've always been interested in this stuff and I'll use the site to organize my material. Hopefully, someone will find it useful.

Ice Fishing Begins in Utah

I've been neglecting this blog, working too hard and not playing enough. Well, I've vowed to change. And now's a good time to get back to the lakes, since ice fishing is now starting in Utah. Huntington Reservoir now has 4 inches of ice and offers good fishing. Lots of tiger trout in there and they are fun to catch. Scofield should be fishable soon. Strawberry will take a couple more weeks. I'm starting a page to show what's frozen: Utah Ice Fishing Report.

Waterfall Hunting In Zion National Park

La Verkin Falls

Update - 5-17-13 - I did not make it to Labyrinth Falls. Ran out of time. I'll try to get down there is a couple weeks. I did hunt down a very pretty waterfall that fit into my schedule. It is called La Verkin Falls. I took the photo at right. I'll soon post an article with location info and more photos.

I have business meetings in St. George on Wednesday and I think I'll hand around an extra day and do some hiking in Zion National Park.

For some time I've tried to get a decent photo of a large, beautiful, virtually unknown waterfall, called Labyrinth Falls, located in the park backcountry. It is located at the top of Parunuweap Canyon, which is a deep, rugged, very scenic slot that is very difficult to get into. I've hiked to the top of the waterfall but could not get a decent photo from that vantage point. The entire bottom of the canyon just drops straight down the waterfall. And it twists halfway down - making it impossible to get a good shot.

This time I hope to hike to the canyon rim above the waterfall, and try to get a clear view from there.

Should be a fun trip. If I succeed I'll post a photo here.

Parunuweap Canyon - by Dave Webb

Meanwhile, this is one I shot in Parunuweap a couple years ago. See more of my Parunuweap shots.

- Dave Webb

Ice-Off Fishing At Strawberry Reservoir

I drove past Strawberry Reservoir on Saturday afternoon and was surprised to see ice still lingering near shorelines. There was a little fishable open water around the Ladders and Chicken Creek areas, but not much. Hardly enough to make it worth-while to launch a float tube.

I suspect the peak ice-off fishing at "The Berry" will happen during the middle of this week. By weekend, there may still be a little ice, but probably the big reservoir will be mostly open water.

We continued on to Currant Creek and found it totally ice-free. We cast various lures and had slow action until about 6 pm. Then then action really picked up and we caught many very nice rainbows, cutts and tiger trout. We had an enjoyable trip.

The shot at right shows one of my fish from Current Creek. See my full fishing report.

I hope to fish Strawberry on Thursday.

- Dave Webb

Ice-Off Fishing At Scofield, Strawberry

Ice is now pulling back at Utah's Scofield Reservoir and fishing is very good in the resulting open water. I'm probably going up there tomorrow to give it a shot.

Ice has just started to pull back in a few areas at Strawberry Reservoir. There is a little open water in front of  The Ladders and some people have been fishing there. It will probably be the middle of next week or next weekend before these is significant open water fishing opportunity.

I hope to fish Strawberry next Thursday. Anglers get really excited about ice-off at Strawberry and there may be a lot of people at the reservoir next weekend. I'm hoping on Thursday I can beat the crowd and still find enough water to fish.

Strawberry is fickle. It can be very, very good as it opens up but there are times when action is slow. No guarantees.

My normal comrades will not be able to go with me on Thursday so I'm looking for fishing buddies. Let me know if you are interested.

- Dave Webb

Hiking Angels In Zion National Park

With nice weather finally settling in, I'll be getting out and about more - I've got some fine adventures scheduled, fishing, hiking and exploring all around the Intermountain West and SW U.S.

During the cold season I try to do a major trip at least once a month, mostly going to destinations related to or family. Now, I'll try to get out weekly and pursue adventure for its own sake.

So stay tuned.

This weekend a family reunion has me traveling to St. George. I usually combine business with pleasure - I'll do a little hiking and shoot some photos.

I have the assignment to write a newsletter focusing on Utah national parks, for www.utah.com. I try to include some first person narrative in those newsletters and so I need to do an adventure hike. I think I'll wander up Angels Landing. It is one of my all time favorites and always produces great photos.

A couple years ago they redid parts of the famous "chains" along the Angel's trail. I have not hiked to the landing since they made those improvements and so I need to get down there and see what they've done. I hear they have made the trail a little safer without sacrificing any of the challenge or thrill. I'm anxious to see.

Coming up I'll be exploring distant canyons on Lake Powell, fishing for trophy lake trout at Flaming Gorge and braving a few slot canyons.

I take family members or friends on most trips. But I go more often than they can and so I sometimes scramble to find companions. Occasionally I'll post an invitation here, hoping to find new friends to accompany me on adventures. I'm serious about that. If you are interested, stay tuned...

- Dave Webb

Update: I had a great trip and really enjoyed hiking Angels. The weather was indeed perfect. The hike is always thrilling and the "chains" along the hogs back are a great challenge.

If you have not yet made this hike, get down there and do it. It's an adventure you will long remember.

Sky Ute Casino, Chimney Rock National Monument and Pagosa Hot Springs

I do some work for the Grand Circle Association, which promotes travel to the Southwestern United States and I'm required to attend their quarterly meetings. The meetings rotate to interesting scenic spots around the region and always offer complimentary activities. They are fun.

So I'll be headed to SW Colorado next week to attend the association's March meeting. We will stay at Sky Ute Casino Resort and enjoy scheduled activities at Chimney Rock National Monument and Pagosa Hot Springs.

Mesa Verde National Park is in that area and I've been there a couple of times.

What else? Are there other “must see” attractions? I'd like to see the best of the area while I am there.

Should be a fun trip.

- Dave Webb

Escape To Dixie's Sunshine

Update: I had a great time hiking in warm sunshine in the St. George/Zion areas. I've attached a couple of my photos.

- Dave

I need to go to St. George, Utah, this week for business. It will be nice to get out of the snow and into the sunshine.

At my house in Springville there is a couple feet of snow on the ground. As I write this the temperature is 7 F. St. George (Utah's Dixie) has also been cold, but not nearly this cold. Zion Park has received quite a bit of snow but the low elevation stuff will melt this week. By next weekend the forecast is for daytime highs in the upper 50s or low 60s. That will feel nice.

So, when I finish my business where should I go hike?

I've focused on Snow Canyon during the past few trips. That's a great winter play spot. But I feel like exploring somewhere new. Perhaps I'll get over into Zion and try some of the lower trails.

I'd actually really appreciate suggestions. Where would you like to hike this weekend?

- Dave Webb

Utah Fishing Rules And Ice Fishing Reports

Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources has released its 2013 Fishing Rules Guidebook - the proclamation that lists rules for fishing in the state. It can be downloaded in various formats. Click the link above to see options.

Most of Utah's better ice fishing waters are now frozen and offer good action. See the latest ice fishing reports here.