Bonneville Fly Fishers News

Fly Fishing & Tying Expo

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:39:33 GMT

The 2026 Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo is close at hand. April 9-11, 2026 held at the Mountain America Convention Center in Sandy. Doors open Friday 10-7, Saturday 9-5.

One-day pass: Friday or Saturday – $9, plus facility fees

Two-day Pass: $15, plus facility fees. Prices are a bit higher if you purchase at the door.

Ages 12 and under are free with a paying adult.

Hosted by a consortium of Utah fly fishing clubs (BFF is a partner), the event packs in a wide variety of vendors, workshops, demonstrations and activities into just a few days. Top names in the sport will present workshops and on-the water seminars. Expo center workshops are $35 and 1/2 day on the water seminars are $125.

BFF club member Rich Lob will be presenting a workshop on Fishing From A Ladder at Pyramid Lake.

More information can be found at the Expo website for Banquet Tickets, General Admission Tickets and Workshops Tickets.

Here's a look at the workshop schedule:

FFI increases membership...just a little

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:48:07 GMT

FFI, like most organizations, has raised their membership charge by roughly $5.00. First time in years actually. This increase is now reflected in our website, starting 2 March 2026. The discounts for seniors, military, vets, stays the in place.

BFF's membership will remain the unchanged.

BFF On The Hill for Fishing Day

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:40:24 GMT

12 Feb 2026. BFF did the Fishing Day on the Hill, Jim Banas, Doug Fuller, Fred Jepson, were at the booth. A few other club members, Pat Ronnenburg, Jayne Guyse, Dan Potts, were there working other booths, but always there to represent us as needed. It was a good show, better exposure than last year, (better time slot, 11:00-2:00, last year was 6:00-8:00am. We got to the capital, before the security). So, we at least had some of our representatives that were taking interest.

Non-Profits receive funding from BFF

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:12:48 GMT

Our donations to Casting for Recovery (Pam Page) and Reel Recovery (John Kern) at The 21 January meeting ($250 to each). Both organizations are not-for-profit groups that provide free fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer (CFR) or men with any type of cancer (RR) who are in treatment or recovery.

These groups use the healing power of fly fishing and nature and a supportive environment that includes medical and psychosocial support to mitigate the effects of cancer on participants.

NEW MEETING LOCATION

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:16:03 GMT

After years of meeting at The Point After, we're moving to a new space for our monthly meetings. We'll now be meeting at El Farros Mexican Restaurant, 115 W 7200 So in Midvale. Here's a link to google maps.

The meeting times will not change. 7pm starts the meeting, 6pm for meet-n-greet.

Club members and non-club members are welcome.

See you there.

UPDATE: Felt Sole Wading Boots

Fri, 16 May 2025 02:09:03 GMT

A recent presenter to our club mentioned that "felt sole boots are illegal in Utah". A few members decided to check this out. Calls to DWR, UAC, and Fish Tech seems to have gotten to the bottom of this claim.

It appears that there is NO mention of 'felt sole boots/shoes' being illegal in the waterways of Utah. There's no mention of this in any of the fishing regulations, waterways policies, nor any of the DWR webpages. Fish Tech's Byron Gunderson said that they are 'not recommended for use because they are often not properly maintained or sterilized after every use'. He went on to say that "to the best of his knowledge, they are NOT ILLEGAL in the State of Utah."

It is true that felt soles can pick up aquatic creatures and transplant them to the next waterway you might wade. With proper care this can be greatly minimized. Some who wade to fish like the felt sole over the hard sole common on our boots.

As of right now (May 2025), felt soles are just fine to use in Utah.

Middle Provo River Presentation

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 17:11:17 GMT

BFF member Dave Whiteman presented his findings of an ongoing Middle Provo River conservation project that has been ongoing for the past 3 years, at the March 19, 2025 meeting. This collaborative project between the High Country Fly Fishing club and students at Wasatch High School in Heber City, monitors water temperatures and macro-invertebrates in the Middle Provo River and provides important baseline information on factors that affect the present and future health of the river and its fishery.

This fascinating presentation to a full house of BFF members, was enlightening. His report can be downloaded HERE. The detail and complexity of the Provo River eco system was on full display. If you fish there, read the report.

Dave Whiteman is an avid fly fisherman and fly tier. He retired from the University of Utah 5 years ago and his retirement activities include frequent fishing trips to Western U.S. waters.

2025 Fishing Day on the Hill

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 03:03:20 GMT

Utah Fishing Day on the Hill-2025

It was had a productive morning at the Utah Fishing Day on the Hill event, February 10th 2025, with representatives of fishing and the BFF club. The event was sponsored by UAC and organized by Jeff Salt.

Gathering at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda with a number of other concerned fishing groups from across the Salt Lake area, tables were set up for all the groups. We were able to display our banner and hand out club brochures.

The goal was to let our state government leaders know we, the 400,000+ that bought fishing licenses last year, are concerned about what happens on the hill. It provided a great opportunity for the various angler interest groups and UAC affiliates to promote the sport of angling and educate members of the Utah Legislature and the public, about the importance of recreational fishing in Utah and it's financial impact for the state. We had a visit from at least one member of the senate who was an avid fisherman and spoke of his passion for the sport.

Many attendees were able to speak to the media about fishing, which included reporters from KSL TV, KTVX Channel 4, the Deseret News, and Adam Eakle from KSL Outdoors. KSL discussed and broadcast the occurrence of the event during their noon news segment that day.

Many in attendance were impressed with Jim Bannas's fly tying. Through our collaboration with the other groups, Fred Jepsen. BFF Club President, was able to make contacts for future BFF Club speakers.

HOV & Boat Registration Rules Change Jan 2025

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:54 GMT

A new bill passed in the Utah Legislation allows the operators of an off road vehicle or watercraft to use a digital or digital photo of the registration (stored on your phone or other digital device) as proof of registration.

Provo Delta Restoration Grand Opening

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 22:52:13 GMT

On Saturday, October 26, 10 am to 2 pm, the official opening of the Provo River Delta is celebrated by an Open House at the delta’s Skipper Bay Trailhead, north of 3400 Boat Harbor Drive! BFF and HCFF was one of many volunteer groups that contributed to the project by cutting willow starts from the Middle Provo River banks in 2021 and 2022.

This 260-acre project has restored the habitat for aquatic life at the entrance to Utah Lake. The above link leads you to a short video that covers the history and objectives of the multi-million dollar project.

From the website, "Check out the new trailhead, wildlife viewing tower, and delta trails, listen to music, pet a horse and learn some local history and fun fish facts at information booths from organizations in our community and project partners, and connect with others who respect and appreciate our best restoration partner, Mother Nature!"

BFF & HCFF will be represented at the Open House with some of our members tying their favorite flies.

This is open to all. Drop on down and check out this amazing project members of our club worked hard to bring to realization.

For more information, Jayne Guyse.

BFF + HCFF teach fly casting, fishing, tying, and Archery

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 13:07:25 GMT

On June 3-4-5, 2024, the club was represented as we taught Fly Tying, Casting, Fishing, and Archery to a group of youth from Taylorsville and South Jordan. We were invited to Brighton Meadows recreation camp, in the mountains North East of Park City.

Over the 3 days we worked with over 40 boys and 20 girls. Fred, BFF Club President, provided the equipment and taught archery, while Robert Trim, Eric Luna (President of HCFF) and Bruce Pope, taught Fly Casting, and Fishing on the little pond at the camp. This proved to be more than the usual 'teaching newbies' challenge as a front was blowing through and winds were pretty much constant two of the three days. Couple of fish were landed, but it was a struggle.

Reid Hall, John Schultz , and Bruce Pope taught Fly Tying. Eric, Bruce, and John are members of High Country Fly Fishers, Reid is a past BFF member and a fishing partner with Robert and Fred. With the wind, tying was interesting to say the least. We're pretty sure there's marabou bits in Wanship now.

It was a great time, we were tired at the end of the day, but the feeling of sharing these sports we love with others, especially the youth, is rewarding. In reality the reason we have a club.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this a success.

Overnight April trip to Southern Idaho changed

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:31:12 GMT

Due to water conditions, the April Southern Idaho lakes and streams trip has been changed to a day trip to Mantua Reserviour. New information on the events calendar.

New Club President and Membership Chair

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:12:29 GMT

2024 brings changes on the board level for BFF. Fred Jepsen was elected and confirmed by the club membership as the new club President.

Robert Trim was voted in taking the Membership Chair position as well as heading up the revamp of new website for the club.

Congrats to both.