Strawberry River Utah Hatch Chart

North-central Utah, flowing northeast from Strawberry Reservoir through the Strawberry River Canyon in Duchesne County before joining the Duchesne River. The Strawberry River below the reservoir is one of Utah's finest and least-pressured wild trout streams - a tailwater-influenced canyon river with exceptional populations of wild brown and rainbow trout in a dramatic red-rock and sagebrush canyon setting far from the Wasatch Front crowds. The combination of consistent reservoir releases, excellent insect life, and wild fish in remote canyon country makes the Strawberry one of the most rewarding destinations in Utah fly fishing.

Check current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regulations before you go. The Strawberry River has special regulations on certain sections including artificial flies and lures only and slot limits. The river flows through a mix of private and public land - verify access and property boundaries before wading. Much of the best canyon water is accessible via Hwy 40 and forest roads through the Strawberry Valley area.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.

The river

The Strawberry River below the reservoir has the character of a high-desert tailwater - consistent flows from reservoir releases regardless of precipitation, water temperatures moderated by the deep reservoir draw, and excellent year-round insect populations that would not survive in a purely freestone system. The canyon sections from the reservoir outlet downstream through the Strawberry Valley are the primary destination - dramatic canyon walls, good wade access, and wild trout populations that have benefited from quality management and reduced pressure compared to the better-known Provo and Green Rivers.

Brown trout are the dominant species in the lower canyon sections, with rainbow trout more prevalent in the upper reaches below the outlet. The Strawberry is known for producing large wild browns - the tailwater influence and consistent flows support fish growth that exceeds what most Utah freestone streams can offer. The river also benefits from being genuinely remote by Wasatch Front standards - the drive through the Uinta Basin filters out casual pressure and the canyon sections receive a fraction of the angling effort of comparable Utah fisheries.

The BWO hatches on the Strawberry are excellent - a combination of the tailwater character and the canyon microclimate produces strong spring and fall olive hatches that draw the best fish to the surface. The summer PMD and hopper fishing in the canyon meadow sections is outstanding. This is a three-season destination that rewards repeat visits.

Year at a glance

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges, BWO Small nymphs, streamers Midge 20-24, BWO 18-22
Feb Midges, BWO Small nymphs, streamers Midge 20-24, BWO 18-22
Mar BWO, midges Early caddis, stonefly nymphs BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Apr BWO, caddis, midges Stonefly nymphs, PMD start BWO 16-20, caddis 14-16
May PMD, caddis, BWO Yellow sally, golden stone PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jun PMD, golden stone, caddis Yellow sally, hoppers start PMD 16-18, golden 8-12
Jul PMD, hoppers, caddis Yellow sally, ants, beetles PMD 16-18, hopper 8-12
Aug Hoppers, PMD, caddis Ants, beetles, trico Hopper 8-12, PMD 16-18
Sep BWO, hoppers, caddis Mahogany dun, streamers BWO 16-20, hopper 8-12
Oct BWO, midges Streamers, mahogany dun BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Nov Midges, BWO Streamers, small nymphs 20-24
Dec Midges, BWO Small nymphs, streamers 20-24

January - February

The tailwater influence keeps the Strawberry River fishable through winter - consistent reservoir releases maintain stable flows and temperatures that support active fish and year-round midge and BWO activity. Winter on the Strawberry is excellent uncrowded fishing with minimal pressure. Midges throughout. BWO on overcast afternoons. Streamers for large browns in the deeper canyon pools. The canyon road access is generally passable in winter but verify conditions before making the drive in severe weather.

March - April

BWO hatches strengthen significantly through March and April - the canyon microclimate and tailwater temperatures produce strong early spring olive hatches that draw good fish to the surface on overcast afternoons. Caddis begin building in April. Stonefly nymphs building toward summer. PMDs begin by late April on the warmer sections. The spring pre-runoff window on the Strawberry can be outstanding - strong BWO hatches, fish in prime condition, and no summer pressure.

May - June

Prime season. PMDs build through May and June into the signature summer hatch - the canyon meadow sections produce good PMD fishing on the flatter water with willing wild browns and rainbows. Golden stones and caddis add variety. Hoppers begin along the canyon margins by late June. The Strawberry in May and June with PMD mornings and caddis evenings and virtually no other anglers is one of Utah's best-kept fly fishing opportunities.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings and midday on the flatter sections.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair caddis.
  • Golden stone - 8-12 in the faster riffles and pocket water.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in the riffles on warm afternoons.
  • Late June: hoppers beginning - hoppers and terrestrials along the canyon margins.

July - August

Hopper season on the Strawberry is excellent. The canyon walls and sagebrush margins concentrate grasshoppers and the wild browns respond aggressively - straightforward hopper fishing in beautiful Uinta Basin canyon country with minimal pressure. PMDs continue through July mornings. Caddis evenings remain reliable. Ants and beetles midday. The Strawberry in August with hopper fishing and virtually no crowds is one of Utah's most underrated summer fly fishing experiences.

  • Hoppers - 8-12. Hoppers and terrestrials along the canyon walls and sagebrush margins.
  • PMD - 16-18 mornings through July. Pale Morning Dun.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Ants and beetles midday. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in the riffles.

September - October

Fall is the finest season on the Strawberry. BWO return strongly with the cooling temperatures and the canyon is spectacular in fall color. Hoppers continue through mid-September. Mahogany duns on overcast days. Streamers for pre-spawn browns as October progresses - the Strawberry's large wild browns become aggressive in fall and streamer fishing in the deeper canyon pools can produce the largest fish of the year. Minimal pressure throughout. The fall Strawberry is one of Utah's best and most private fly fishing experiences.

  • Hoppers through mid-September. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons. The dominant fall hatch.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • Caddis evenings through September. Elk hair.
  • Streamers for pre-spawn browns October - streamers in the deeper canyon pools and runs.

November - December

BWO and midges as the season closes. The tailwater influence extends the season - the Strawberry fishes well into November with strong BWO hatches and virtually no pressure. Streamers for large post-spawn browns through the month. The canyon is remote and beautiful in late fall. December fishing is available for the committed angler willing to deal with cold Uinta Basin temperatures - midges and small nymphs in the deeper pools with the river essentially to yourself.

  • BWO - 16-20 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 20-24 throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Streamers for large browns - streamers in the canyon pools.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season. Add a hopper box for July through September and a streamer selection for fall browns. The Strawberry River is Utah's most underappreciated quality wild trout fishery - consistent tailwater flows, excellent hatches, large wild browns, and a remote canyon setting that filters out most of the pressure that burdens the Provo and Green Rivers. Well worth the drive from Salt Lake or the Wasatch Front.