Fly Fishing Currant Creek - Below Currant Creek Reservoir

Fly fishing Currant Creek – Below Currant Creek Reservoir offers a pristine, high-elevation tailwater experience in the remote setting of Central Utah. Located within the Green River Basin, this small stream is fed by the deep-release waters of the reservoir, ensuring stable, cold flows that sustain an excellent trout population year-round. The tailwater nature minimizes the harsh impacts of spring runoff and summer heat, making it a highly reliable and popular destination for those seeking technical fishing and solitude in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

This tailwater section is a classic small stream environment, characterized by long, glassy glides, quiet pools, and gentle riffles. The channel is relatively narrow and shallow, making it an ideal walk-and-wade fishery. The consistent temperature and low-impact flow contribute to the water's exceptional clarity, which in turn demands a stealthy approach, long leaders, and fine tippets to fool the wary trout. The banks are generally lined with dense willow growth, providing structure for fish and requiring short, accurate casts. The high-mountain setting adds to the scenic value and remote feel of this tributary to the larger Duchesne River system.

Currant Creek supports healthy, naturally reproducing populations of brown trout, rainbow trout, and native cutthroat trout, along with mountain whitefish. Brown trout are the dominant species, often growing large by small-stream standards, with fish ranging from 12 to 18 inches. The presence of cutthroat trout is a special draw for anglers pursuing Utah's indigenous species. Due to the stable, food-rich environment of the tailwater, the fish are exceptionally healthy and strong. Anglers should target the deep, slow runs and the cover provided by the willow-lined banks and submerged logs to find the larger specimens.

Hatch activity on Currant Creek is consistent, driven by the stable water temperatures. Blue-winged olives (BWO) hatch prolifically in the spring and fall, providing excellent dry fly fishing on cloudy days. Midges are the year-round staple and often the most reliable pattern, particularly in winter and during slow periods. During the summer, caddis and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) offer great opportunities, often resulting in complex surface feeding behaviors. Terrestrial patterns like small hoppers, ants, and beetles are highly effective from late summer into early fall, especially along the grassy edges of the high-country meadows.

Optimal wading flows for this small tailwater are quite low, ranging from 15 CFS to 60 CFS. Flows below 15 CFS can make the fish extremely spooky and concentrate them excessively, while releases above 60 CFS can make the river difficult to wade safely due to the increased current speed in the narrow channel. This section is **not floatable** due to its small size and tight structure. It is exclusively a walk-and-wade fishery, emphasizing a focus on technical presentation and stream reading.

Access to Currant Creek is moderate, typically requiring a drive on well-maintained but unpaved forest service roads off Highway 40. The river is located near the town of Strawberry Reservoir, though the nearest major airport is Salt Lake City International (SLC). Public access is generally good, as the river flows through public land, but anglers should confirm regulations and private land boundaries before stepping into the stream. A stealthy approach and careful wading are required to avoid spooking the fish in the clear water.

Currant Creek – Below Currant Creek Reservoir is a hidden gem for fly fishing enthusiasts. Its combination of stable tailwater conditions, abundant trout, and technical challenges in a remote setting makes it a rewarding destination in Central Utah's Green River Basin.