Tin Cup Idaho

 8/19/22:  I have decided to go up to Idaho as it's a lot cooler than Utah which has been in triple digits for the last week. 

Update: got a decent campsite with about 50 ft of Tin Cup Creek.  The creek varies from about 10 to 30 ft wide with a gentle gradient and moderate turbidity.    Riparian environment dominates meaning the banks are heavily infused with bushes, Alderson, etc.   Cascading Beaver dams created pools but also obstacles. 

I spent yesterday "wet Wading" (i.e. no waders) and it was terrific.  Water was not terribly cold and I was unencumbered by bulky waders.  Extremely difficult casting due to many overhanging branches.  Eventually,  I figured out some roll casting and control of back cast to make it enjoyable.   

Got a dozen strikes from tiny trout but only one of them actually took the fly. worked one nice pool, changing flies several times without any hits.  Still,  it just looked too good not to have a fish in it. Loaded up a yellow foam caddis I tied myself and BAM!  8 in cuttie with firey red markings.  Very nice fish in a stream that size.

The Pool:  3-4 ft deep, bend. 30 ft long.  As I approached, a 15-26 inch trout rocketed out of the pool, taking cover under some bushes at the edge, stirring up sediment as he did so.  Big fish.  Try as I might, he would not be tempted by my offerings and it turned out the pool was impossible to cast more than halfway into.  No takers.  Wished it had turned out differently.