Blacksmith Fork River
river in Utah
The Blacksmith Fork River flows out of the Bear River Range and eventually into the Little Bear River. It's known for its consistent flows and prolific hatches, making it a favorite among local fly anglers.
Clear
- 01Clear, moderate water conditions, ideal for both dry fly and subsurface fishing.
- 02Active hatches of Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) in sizes 16-18, offering good dry fly action.
- 03Strong terrestrial activity with hoppers (sizes 8-12) along grassy banks.
- 04October Caddis (sizes 6-10) are emerging, providing significant surface feeding opportunities.
- 05Consistent subsurface nymphing with midges and mayfly patterns remains effective.
- 06Focus efforts from Hyrum to Hardware Ranch, targeting deeper runs and current seams.
- 07Use longer leaders and drag-free drifts for dries; ensure weighted nymphs reach the bottom for Whitefish.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blood Dot Egg
As trout begin their fall spawning cycle, egg patterns become highly effective, and Whitefish will readily feed on loose eggs in the drift.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Terrestrial hoppers remain an important food source in early fall, especially along grassy banks where Whitefish will opportunistically feed on the surface.
October Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis hatch is a significant fall event on western rivers, providing a large meal that Whitefish will actively pursue on the surface.
Buy at AmazonPMD Comparadun (BWO)
PMD hatches are active in October on the Blacksmith Fork River, and Whitefish are opportunistic feeders. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective fish feeding on emergers and adults.
Zebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a consistent food source year-round on the Blacksmith Fork, and this weighted nymph is excellent for targeting subsurface feeding Whitefish in cooler fall temperatures.
Hare's Ear Nymph
This versatile nymph imitates a variety of aquatic insects active year-round and is a reliable pattern for Whitefish feeding subsurface in the Blacksmith Fork.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Large stonefly nymphs are present year-round and offer a substantial meal for Whitefish. This weighted pattern effectively reaches fish holding in deeper runs.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
Leeches and baitfish are consistent forage, and a slowly stripped Woolly Bugger in olive is an excellent searching pattern for opportunistic Whitefish in the cooler fall water.
Where to fish and who to ask
Canyon Mouth Access
Easy access to the lower canyon sections with a mix of riffles and pools.
Hyrum State Park Bridge
Good access upstream of Hyrum Reservoir, offering quality fishing for larger trout.
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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 Blacksmith Fork River.
What flies work best on Blacksmith Fork River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Blacksmith Fork River right now are Blood Dot Egg (95% confidence), Hopper (90% confidence), October Caddis (Dry) (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Blacksmith Fork River?
Blacksmith Fork River holds Whitefish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Blacksmith Fork River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Blacksmith Fork River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Blacksmith Fork River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Blacksmith Fork River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.