Red Butte Creek
creek in Utah
Access can be restricted in some areas, but public sections provide a surprising opportunity for wild trout.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are the main event
- 01Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are the main event, especially on overcast afternoons.
- 02Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) may also be present, offering dry fly opportunities.
- 03Midges remain a consistent year-round food source subsurface.
- 04Focus on deeper pools, slower runs, undercut banks, and current seams.
- 05Stealth, accurate casts, and delicate presentations are crucial for wary Bonneville Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout.
What to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns provide a significant food source for opportunistic feeders during fall.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a key fall hatch and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Juan's Slim Shady
This low-profile BWO imitation is excellent for selective trout keying on adults during fall hatches.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent food source for trout year-round, especially in cooler fall waters, making this a reliable subsurface pattern.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
This versatile nymph effectively imitates a variety of active aquatic insects drifting subsurface.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
An effective general streamer pattern for active trout looking for larger prey like leeches or baitfish.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
On warmer fall days, terrestrials like hoppers can still be knocked into the water, providing a substantial meal for trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Small pockets of access near the popular hiking trail.
Near University of Utah Campus (public sections)
Accessible areas on campus grounds and adjacent public lands.
Red Butte Canyon Research Natural Area (lower sections)
Limited public access points within the research natural area.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Fish Tech Outfitters
Western Rivers Flyfisher
Trout Bum 2 Fly Shop & Guide Service
Trout Bum 2
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Utah season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Quick answers
Common questions about Red Butte Creek.
What flies work best on Red Butte Creek?
Our top scored fly patterns for Red Butte Creek right now are PMD (Pale Morning Duns) (80% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence), Juan's Slim Shady (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Red Butte Creek?
Red Butte Creek holds Bonneville Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Red Butte Creek fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Red Butte Creek each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.