Ice fishing in Utah. A travel log. Part one

[Mahigeer]

I know you the reader want to see the pictures first. Go ahead and scroll through them first and then grab a cup of your favorite beverage and come back to read the text if you are so inclined.

As usual this would be more than a fishing report. Some might even say more of a travel report.

Happy reading.






Ice fishing trip to Utah 1/8-21/2018


I received news about a distant kin yet a close childhood friend whom I had not seen for too many years, that he had a brain stroke. He lives in Park City and teaches skiing. More on him later.
Thus, I decided to pay him a visit. Since I am going to Utah for the first time, I thought why not get some fly fishing done too. As I was checking the YouTube videos, I came across ice fishing in Utah.

Say what???

Isn’t ice fishing an eastern states, or Alaska type of fishing?
Places like Wabasha, Minnesota where I think they filmed the Grumpy Old Men movie?
Not so fast. Lots of places in Utah to do ice fishing.

Well, I had never done it before, but I had some gear for it already. I ordered some more gear and believe you me it was necessary. This would assure that I can be safe and comfortable doing ice fishing.
I did a lot of research; made one of my famous lists and watched every video on ice fishing. First the places that would be close to Park City, then other locations in the country to get as much intel. as possible.

I learned terms like flasher (not the guy with the raincoat), Swedish pimple, tip up, Ratfinkee and Jaw Jacker. I learned the importance of spikes for boot and for getting out of broken ice pool. The descriptions are in the text below as an incentive to read the text! Ha, ha.

I learned how to get out of broken ice pool; and setup one waterproof bag containing of spare complete change of clothes, just in case.
I even got a shelter/sled, but did not assemble the shelter.

In this report, I am going to assume that the readers are like me and have never ice fished before, so lots of details on how-to will be forthcoming.






Sunday January 7th, 2018


I had the 4Runner packed to gill as usual the night before for an early departure for Heber City, Utah via Las Vegas, Nevada.

I was about 12 hrs. too late on my departure from home due to necessary garage roof repair. I had to finish before the predicted rain on Monday while I was away. I did the obligatory stop at the In-and-Out Burger at Barstow, and filled the stomach and the fuel tank.
Thus, I did not arrive in Las Vegas until midnight. Lots of other travelers on the road, but no slowdowns.
It was an awesome sight, but I was too tired of driving and just pooped to really enjoy it. After a few hours of visiting different casinos, I hit the bed around 3:00 AM.






Monday January 8th, 2018


Morning found me somewhat rested, and even with the slight rain I was in good mood to get on the road.

1-My first stop on the second day of the adventures trip was the Bass Pro Shops in Las Vegas.














2-There was a waterfall dumping water into a river in the store




3-with live ducks…..




4-……. and even a sturgeon lazily swimming around!



One can even walk to a gambling casino on the other side of the waterfall. See picture #2


I needed to pick up a missing part for the newly arrived Humminbird fish finder/flasher unit.


5-On the way to Utah, scenes like this reminded me of western movies.





Next stop was St. George, Utah. A town which is not too far from the Nevada/Utah border. I stopped for rest and gas.
Low and behold, I found Costco and Sportsman’s Warehouse (SW). The latter is similar to Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops.
I had planned to stop in Provo at the SW, but I decided to take care of it now in case I don’t make it before they close.
Good thing that I did.




By the time I got to Heber City, it was around 10:00 PM, having made many stops to rest. I saw lots of billboards on the way advising not to drive drowsy.
There were slow driving at time too due to rain and foul weather.


The hotel was called Swiss Alps Inn. Apparently Heber City is a Swiss community.

6-The Inn was very spacious, quiet and comfortable.






It was also very reasonable, cost wise.


7-The pool was frozen over. This was my first sight of snow and ice on this trip.




In the morning I got up with a sore throat and some cough. Dooh---By Friday, I was feeling recovered and ready to catch fish.






Tuesday January 9th, 2018


8-I am on the way to Park City to visit my kin who had a brain stroke.



He was the most requested ski instructor in Park City for the past 34 years. He has taught beginners and celebrities as well.

Gold medal winner in Asian Games in waterskiing. A mountaineering guide in the summers in places like Nepal.
As well as traveling in many countries on bike.

Life can be cruel sometimes.



9-View from where he stays for now. In the distance the ski runs.






10-I learned about a new symbol on my instrument panel.
When the temperature drops below 37 F, an icon of road with ice appears. It is a warning about a possibility of ice on the road.



My kin Majid (Magic) took me sightseeing around the Park City.


11-Downtown Park City. Western style type of a place.




12-This Theater located in downtown, could be one of the theatres used during the Sundance Film Festival.




13-Intersting piece of artwork.





I spent the whole day with Magic and later headed to my hotel in Heber City.






Wednesday January 10th, 2018


Today Magic had Dr.’s appointment and I needed rest from my cold. However, by noon I had cabin fever and had decided to go for some sightseeing.

Time to check out another lake for ice fishing.


14-On the way to the Utah Lake and Sundance ski resort, I saw these waterfalls that would turn to ice.




15-This is the Deer Creek Reservoir.













16-I was glad to see snow in the mountains.
That would mean that temperature could be cold enough to have ice on the lakes at higher elevations.



17-After an about 40 minutes of driving to the Utah Lake, this was the scene!



After a short visit in Provo, on the way back I stopped for some food and pictures.



18-The famous Sundance ski resort ski run.









Thursday January 11th, 2018


19-This is Jordanelle Reservoir, north of Heber City on the way to Park City. I tried casting spinner, but
did not get any hits or chases. I was hoping to do ice fishing there too, but it was not frozen yet.










20-As I was putting my rod away, I noticed the ice formation on every guide.
Apparently as soon as I stopped casting, the residual water on the braid froze immediately.








Friday January 12th, 2018


21-When I got up in the morning; there was snow on the ground from the night before.
Lovely site, but burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr cold.






22-It was good to see my kin Magic in good spirit given the circumstances.
I spent a few days with him site seeing the Park City and Salt Lake City.




23-Magic pointing to his “office”.


He has instructed celebrities such as Late Mr. Carson, Sylvester Stallone, Brooke Shields, Mitt Romney and Orrin Hatch.

He has trained ski instructors, and skied all over the world.


24-Where the elite go skiing.










25-One can actually ski to the restaurant/hotel’s door.




26-Not sure if it is heated in the winter, but what a place to spend the summer.




27-One can take a sort of cross between elevator and escalator to go to very upscale restaurant…




28-….and this is the view that awaits you.






This would be the last day that I would spend in Park City.
We said so long for now and I went back to Heber City for a good night’s rest.


To be continued