Greetings,
I have a week long camping trip planned for the jordanelle reservoir area and was wondering how the fishing has been. I have never been to that part of Utah but would love to get into some fish. I may try the Provo river as well but I tend to have more fun on the lakes. I will only have my float tube and possibly a canoe so trolling is out. Any info would be appreciated.
Welcome aboard. Always good to have another tuber in the fambly.
You will have a lot of company just about any place you go this weekend. If you want to hit Jordanelle, and maybe catch some fish too, I would recommend that you launch your tube up at the mouth of the Provo River, at Rock Cliffs. Let us know if you need directions. If you have any kind of map you should be able to find it.
**There is a small launch ramp at the end of the road into Rock Cliffs. You can park your vehicle there too, if you get there early enough. There are fish all over the area, but fish the trout in the main channel, from the surface down to 40 feet. Many different jigs, spinners, spoons and baits will work. **
The smallmouths and perch are usually bank huggers. There have been some nice perch showing up in many places…in 12 to 15 feet of water near structure. Use a worm tipped jig or just a piece of worm on a hook. Smallies have been hitting several different plastics, including Senkos and twisters in several colors. Greens, browns and white are usually good, as is smoke sparkle. Some fish have been whacking crankbaits and spinner baits, but unless you know the shoreline well…or have an unlimited lure budget…be careful of donating a lot of lures to the abundant brush.
You can also launch at the PWC ramp, at Hailstone, or even at the main ramp. Actually, with the high water, there are a lot of places you can launch within easy distance of one of the many campsites around the Hailstone part of the lake.
There is some good fly fishing on the stretch of the Provo between Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoir. Also, if you get on the water before the power squadron, there is some good trout, smallmouth and even walleye action on Deer Creek. Try launching your tube at the small State Park area at the Charleston Bridge area where the Provo River comes into Deer Creek. Also, fishing around the “island” can be good for all species.
Again, welcome, and have a good week. Let us know how you do and post some pictures.
Dang tubers! Their constantly hoggin’ the highly secret boat ramps! [;)]
Btw, Welcome aboard DigDug73
Using a ramp is only a minor convenience, when there ain’t some grouchy old guy with a green dinker taking up the whole ramp. At least we can launch a lot of places where there ain’t no ramp.
Rock Cliffs,most of that end of the lake is no-wake which makes it easier for tubes or pontoons.I use a drop shot rig up there with a maniaclures small worm.If you don’t know how to rig a drop shot rig,Sportswarehouse should be able to help you.“It really,really works”
Have caught bass and trout there in 25-8’ of water
Hey, if there ain’t no ramp, it ain’t worth goin’!
That’s just the right kind of attitude. Sure keeps the riff-raff out of some of the good fishing spots.
I just posted on your site, These guys know their stuff when it comes to fishing from tubes, they have quite a fraternity here. All good info they gave you. Our archery hunt starts in August or I might have run up to look you up. Keep me posted on my fishing holes up there. Thanks.
Fishcrazy,
Which end of the lake is rockcliffs? I have only seen the water on aerial photos and maps so I 'm not familiar with the layout. The one satellite photo that I looked up had about a million powerboat wakes on it so I am definitely interested in avoiding them. I use a drop shot at my local lake so I’m pretty familiar with it. It always amazes me how close to my fins a 12 inch smallmouth will take a bait. Do the smallies like the dark baits or light? The water at CJ strike is always murky and dark works best for me here.
Well as you know this grouchy old fart dont need a ramp to launch the dinker, but, its alway nice of my ol’ buddy to stand at the bottom of the ramp and provide me a target as I back the dinker into the water…
The Rock Cliff side of Jordanelle is on the south-east end, where the Provo River enters the reservoir. You have to turn east towards Kamas at the stop light below the dam about a half mile to a mile and head east to the other end of the reservoir.
The Rock Cliff arm includes a ‘buoyed off’ area at its easternmost end where the river comes in that is wakeless so the power squadron shouldn’t bother you there.
Here are some maps I put together of the whole lake and some of the component parts. Hope they help. As you can see, Rock Cliffs is at the far eastern end of the lake. And, as others have pointed out, there is a buoy line for wakeless speed, so tubing is generally more tolerable there.
The water in Jordanelle is usually pretty clear. The fish hit both light and dark colors. Some guys use a lot of white or light minnow imitations. Others like craw colors, watermelon or even purple. Take an assortment and let the fish tell you what they want.
Thanks TubeDude, thats awesome! This might be a topic for a different forum but have you experimented much with electronics on your tube. I want to add a sonar unit but dont have a lot to spend. I saw a lot of mention of vertical jigging for trout and I might give it a try. I’m sure it will help when I finesse fish the smallies too. Thanks again for posting the maps.
Hey, Bro, I have been tubing over 50 years and have had sonar, rod racks and other “tricked out” stuff on my tubes for many of those years. I am also the moderator for the BFT Float Tubing Board (Link). If you will drop in over there, and check out both the picture board and the Best of the Best, you will see many threads and pictures of different kinds of sonar mounts and discussions of the best models for tubing.
Here are a couple of pics of my tube, with the Eagle Cuda 168EX sonar…with temp guage. I would never think of going fishing without my underwater eyes.
I have had my best luck useing Maniaclures holo. pearl white
We have a new style reaper called the Cut’r Bug that has been hot on Jordanelle, and other Small mouth waters. You can pick them up at Sportsmans warehouse in Riverdale or at Smith and Edwards. They are 3-1/2" long and have plenty of action. Good luck and good fishing!
James
Does Midvale carry them?Like your baits!
Midvale will have them next week!
I’m glad you like our baits, we will have a new 3" stick out in a couple of weeks!
Thanks!
James