Thistle CreekFishing report · creek in Utah
Thistle Creek is a classic small stream experience, requiring stealth and accurate casting to target trout in its numerous pockets and runs. It's often overlooked but can provide fantastic dry fly action during hatches of small mayflies and caddis.
What's working on Thistle Creek
- 01Excellent fishing conditions with worthy weather and flows.
- 02Active hatches of Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) and Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are expected.
- 03October Caddis are making their appearance, offering opportunities for dry fly action.
- 04Subsurface activity from nymphs, midges, and egg patterns is consistent.
- 05Focus on riffle tails, current seams, and heads of deeper pools.
- 06Try nymphing first in the mornings, then switching to dry flies during active hatch periods.
What to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger
An indispensable streamer for enticing aggressive strikes from trout in the colder fall waters of Thistle Creek, imitating leeches and baitfish.
Buy at AmazonPMD (Pale Morning Dun)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders on Thistle Creek.
Blood Dot Egg
Fall is egg season on Thistle Creek, and trout will key in on eggs drifting in the water column.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round on Thistle Creek, becoming especially crucial in colder fall waters as other hatches dwindle.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
This is an excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and scuds active in Thistle Creek's currents year-round, especially in fall.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are the largest caddis hatch of the year and are actively on the water in fall, drawing aggressive strikes.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
BWOs are a classic fall hatch on Thistle Creek, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonSchroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity can still be strong in early fall along grassy banks of Thistle Creek, offering a substantial meal for opportunistic trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Highway 6 Bridge Access
Public access points near the Highway 6 bridge provide entry to lower sections of the creek.
Upper Canyon Access
Trailheads and pull-offs in the upper canyon offer more secluded fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Trout Creek Flies
Eddie Robinson's Fly Fishing
Fly Fish Food
Fish Heads Fly Shop
Get Thistle Creek reports by email
Every Thursday: conditions, hatches and what's working across Utah, with Thistle Creek at the top.
Utah season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Thistle Creek.
What flies work best on Thistle Creek?
Our top scored fly patterns for Thistle Creek right now are Woolly Bugger (80% confidence), PMD (Pale Morning Dun) (80% confidence), Blood Dot Egg (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Thistle Creek?
Thistle Creek holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Thistle Creek fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Thistle Creek each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.