Upper Strawberry River
river in Utah
This section of the Strawberry River provides a different experience than the reservoir, with smaller water and abundant wild trout. It's a great destination for anglers seeking solitude and active fish on dry flies and nymphs.
What's working on Upper Strawberry River
- 01Crisp fall weather with clear skies and daytime temperatures around 50°F.
- 02Potential for active Blue-Winged Olive and Midge hatches, especially on overcast days.
- 03Larger trout may be aggressive and willing to chase streamers, particularly as water temperatures cool.
- 04Egg patterns are highly relevant as some trout species prepare for or are in the midst of spawning.
- 05Subsurface nymphing remains a consistent producer, mimicking a variety of aquatic insects.
What to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer imitating leeches and baitfish, excellent for enticing aggressive strikes from larger trout in cooler fall waters.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns can have late-season hatches into the fall, offering selective trout a consistent dry fly meal.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis hatches are a significant fall event on many freestone rivers, providing opportunities for aggressive surface takes.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source for trout year-round, and remain highly active in fall as water temperatures cool. This weighted nymph gets into the strike zone.
Buy at AmazonPine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, triggering strikes from larger, lethargic trout.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A superb general searching nymph that imitates a variety of aquatic insects active in the currents, effective year-round and particularly in fall.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Consistent fall hatch that provides excellent dry fly opportunities for selective trout, especially on overcast days.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is spawning season for some trout and salmon species, and egg patterns are highly effective for opportunistic feeders below spawning grounds.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Payson Lakes Road Access
Access points along the road leading to Payson Lakes, providing entry to upper river sections.
Renegade Campground Area
Public access near the campground allows for wading and exploring various runs.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Fish Heads Fly Shop
Rocky Mountain Outfitters
Fishwest
Fishwest Fly Shop
Get Upper Strawberry River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Utah season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Upper Strawberry River.
What flies work best on Upper Strawberry River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Upper Strawberry River right now are Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence), PMD (Pale Morning Duns) (80% confidence), October Caddis (Dry) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Upper Strawberry River?
Upper Strawberry River holds Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Upper Strawberry River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Upper Strawberry River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.