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Trout fishing 'ultimate sporting experience' in southern Cache County
By Paul Kendall
Paul Kendall displays
a rainbow trout at Willow Valley. Nestled in the southern end of Cache Valley is a fisherman's paradise. "Our spring water is perfect for growing large trout quickly," said land owner Grant White. He should know, as his family has been raising trout there for nearly 100 years, he said. Once know as the Whites Trout Farm, the area is now called "the willow valley springs" by fly fisherman, said Willow Valley Sportsman owner Dan Lockwood. White and Lockwood joined talents seven years ago in an effort to provide fisherman their "ultimate sporting experience," Lockwood said. Until the early '90s these fertile waters were producing trout for restaurants and private ponds, White said. After a series of closures due to contagious fish diseases, White decided it was time to restore the trout farm into a world-class fishing destination. With the help of the fresh USU fisheries and wildlife graduate Lockwood, he began restoring the springs and natural channels. "We've still got some work to do, but we've come a long way," Lockwood said. Fly fisherman from across the country have come to fish the springs, he said. Professional golfer Fuzzy Zoeller came to wet a line while on a golf tournament at Thanksgiving Point. "I think everyone who fishes here has a great experience," Lockwood said. "We offer fly fisherman a variety of different waters to fish," said Willow Valley guide Shane McDougal. "We have spring creeks, the Little Bear River, and a number of ponds." The fish grow large, and many anglers leave with the memory or picture of their largest trout caught, he said. "We are all catch and release," said Lockwood. "We want to offer the fish a chance to grow large, and we hope a number of people will enjoy catching them," he said. But, if people have a craving for eating trout, they've come to the right place, White said. Fisherman may arrange for a trout lunch or dinner cooked by White, but they don't get to catch the fish. "I've had a lot of people tell me this is the best trout they've ever had," White said. "Most of the fisherman come from out of the valley, but we're seeing an increase in local fisherman," McDougal said. Some of the larger companies in town entertain clients and employees here, he said. "First time guests at the Willow Valley Springs are reacquired to hire a guide, after that initial trip they only have to pay a daily rod fee," McDougal said. The Willow Valley Sportsman also arranges fully guided pheasant and waterfowl trips. A number of USU professors belong to the fishing club in Paradise. "I think we could work out some (price) deals for USU students," McDougal said. Many people who come to fish at the springs spend time and money elsewhere in Cache Valley, Lockwood said. "It's good business for us and the local community," he said. Fishing
trips can be arranged at the Willow Valley Sportsman's office at 42
S. Main St., Logan, or by calling (435) 755-6800. |
Archived Months:
September
1998 |
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