Smith and Morehouse Creek

Smith and Morehouse Creek flows through a quiet canyon in Utah's Uinta Mountains above Oakley, ending at the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir. The water above the reservoir is the most productive stretch — a small but surprisingly high-quality freestone stream holding wild brown and brook trout in cold, clear water shaded by mixed conifer and aspen. The canyon sees relatively little fishing pressure given its proximity to the Wasatch Back, making it a genuine local secret for anglers willing to make the drive up Weber Canyon. The fish are not large by tailwater standards — averaging 8 to 12 inches — but they're wild, spooky, and satisfying to catch on small dries and nymphs. Best fished in early summer after snowmelt and in September as aspens turn and the canyon goes golden.