Fly Fishing Fremont River - Bicknell Bottoms

Fly fishing Fremont River – Bicknell Bottoms offers a rare and challenging spring creek experience in the desert heart of Southern Utah. Unlike the mountain freestones, this section is defined by its consistent, cool flows emerging from the ground, creating a habitat rich in aquatic life but demanding in presentation. The Bicknell Bottoms are located in the Great Basin region, providing an entirely unique fishing environment marked by flat water, heavy vegetation, and some of the wariest brown and rainbow trout in the state. This is a technical fishery for experienced anglers who thrive on finesse and subtlety.

As a spring creek, the Bicknell Bottoms section of the Fremont River is characterized by slow-moving, glassy water, with long, shallow glides and deep, clear pools. The lack of current speed means presentation must be absolutely drag-free, as trout have ample time to inspect the fly. The banks are heavily lined with dense grasses, weeds, and willows, which requires accurate roll casts and sidearm throws to get under cover and avoid the vegetation. The water clarity is usually exceptional, often allowing for sight-fishing but demanding extremely fine tippets and long leaders. This is a difficult, intimate fishing environment where stealth is the most critical factor for success.

The Fremont River in the Bicknell Bottoms supports healthy populations of large, wild brown trout and rainbow trout. Due to the abundant, stable food supply typical of spring creeks, the fish grow to trophy size, with brown trout over 20 inches being the primary target. These trout are notoriously selective and challenging to catch; they are educated by the steady pressure and the clear, slow water. Fish tend to hold along the weedy edges, under willow banks, and in the deepest part of the channel. Catching a trophy fish here is a testament to skill and patience.

Hatch activity is consistent and intense, providing the primary opportunity for surface action. Midges are active year-round and are the most important food source, especially in the cold months. Blue-winged olives (BWO) hatch prolifically in the spring and fall, often bringing large trout to the surface in the flat water. During the summer, Tricos and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) provide challenging technical dry fly fishing, requiring exact fly patterns and delicate drifts. Terrestrials are also effective along the grassy banks in late summer. The key strategy here is to fish when the hatch is on, as the trout feed heavily but selectively.

Optimal wading flows for the Bicknell Bottoms are quite low, ranging from 10 CFS to 60 CFS. Flows below 10 CFS can leave the trout exposed and highly stressed, while flows above 60 CFS can limit the best holding water and make wading difficult in the soft bottom areas. This river section is **not floatable** due to its spring creek characteristics—shallow water, dense weeds, and a delicate bottom. It is exclusively a walk-and-wade fishery where the focus is on slow, methodical movement and presentation.

Access to the Fremont River in the Bicknell Bottoms is often easy, with public access areas near the town of Bicknell. The river flows through a mix of public and private land, so anglers must be aware of boundaries. The nearest regional airport is St. George (SGU), though Salt Lake City is also utilized. Anglers must be prepared for the extreme clarity and the need for a highly specialized, technical approach. The sun can be intense in Southern Utah, requiring appropriate gear and timing.

The Fremont River – Bicknell Bottoms is a unique spring creek challenge that draws dedicated fly anglers. The opportunity to catch a wary, trophy-sized brown or rainbow trout on a small fly makes this one of Southern Utah's most rewarding, yet demanding, fly fishing destinations.