River inlet-to the left is the shallow flats where the wild browns roam
Tibble Fork has the 2nd most beautiful water in Utah. First being Bear Lake of course. It is a gem being so close to the Utah County area. It looks like you had a perfect weather day Hoss. The thing I love about Tibble is that you can fish Midges 365 days a year on this lake (on the east side in the shallows for cruising wild browns up to 18 inches). In a way its like flats fishing on the ocean. You have to spot your target and really make a great presentation or these weary fish will bolt for cover. When I fish it I use a long 12 ft leader with 7X tippet and nothing larger than size 24 midges.(black, brown, gray) The secret I have found over the years is in the retrieve. You have to see what they want for the day. Dead Drift, Skittering the surface, or the twitch. (Skittering is very effective to make your fly stand out over the others) These shallow water browns (1-2 feet of water) are some of the hardest fish in the state to catch.
You really have to be on your A game to have a chance at fooling one of these fish. Its kinda the same reason why "The Ranch" is so famous on the Henry's Fork river in ID. The reward and challenge of catching wise fish on small dry flies is truely the next step in ones dry fly fishing progression. But the nice thing about Tibble is that after you get humbled by shallow wild browns you can move to the rivers inlet and catch stocked rainbows all day long on little wolley buggers or a para adams and dropper. The best Midge hatch occurs at first light and at dusk in the summer. I rule of thumb is Midges usually hatch at the most comfortable part of the day. If anyone ever wants to chase these fish let me know and I'll try to make it out with ya.
Dr G
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