Trophy lake hunt.

weekend report 10/19/24

A Day at Flaming Gorge: The Quest for Trophy Lake Trout

There’s nothing quite like the serenity of an early morning on the water. This weekend, I set out to chase the legendary lake trout of Flaming Gorge, a reservoir that straddles the Utah-Wyoming border and is renowned for its trophy fish. With the cooler weather setting in and the promise of a good catch in the air, I was ready for a day of fishing that I hoped would yield a big, beautiful lake trout to write home about.

Armed with my gear and high hopes, I launched my boat just after sunrise. The water was calm, shimmering under the morning light, and the cliffs around the reservoir created the perfect backdrop for what I imagined would be a day of angling triumph. The Gorge is famous for its massive “lakers,” some tipping the scales at 30 pounds or more. That’s what I was after—trophy fish. But fishing, as every angler knows, is unpredictable, and while the conditions were perfect, the fish didn’t seem to agree.

After hours of working the depths, moving from one spot to another, and trying different lures and techniques, I finally had some action. The line tightened, the reel hummed, and I felt that familiar excitement surge. But as I pulled the fish in, it was clear this wasn’t the monster I’d hoped for. It was a “pup”—a smaller lake trout, still a thrill to catch but not quite the trophy I had my heart set on.

Throughout the day, I caught a couple more pups, each giving a decent fight but none making the cut for the “big one” story. Despite the lack of trophy-sized fish, the day was far from a disappointment. There’s something peaceful and meditative about being out on the water, surrounded by nature, the silence broken only by the sounds of the water and wildlife.

Flaming Gorge didn’t give up its giants this time, but it offered a beautiful day of fishing, which is something I’ll always be grateful for. Besides, that elusive trophy lake trout is still out there, and now I have the perfect excuse to come back for another trip!

Until next time, tight lines!

Check out my YouTube channel for the fishing

video.