 Hank Gutz Fisherman Extraordinare |
 Permitee Ashley National Forest |
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The UBOBA Team had and opportunity to head up to Flaming Gorge and do some fishing with Hank Gutz (pronounce Goots) of Triangle "G" Fishing Service. What and experience!! Mike in particular was excited as he has been showing pictures of his 22 pound Lake Trout (Mackinaw) to anybody that will look! Early Thursday morning Mike and I (Barry) met Hank up at the parking lot of the Flamning Gorge Marina near Manila, Utah. - - -> |
The
UBOBA Team |
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At
the parking lot, the first thing you notice are the antelope, there
were several grazing nearby, here is a nice little buck that didn't
mind all
of the traffic cruising around close byThe first thing you will notice is Hank's 225 horsepower V6 boat motor. Trust me, it doesn't take long to get to the fishing spots, just hold on to your hat! We located our starting spot with Hank's GPS and Fish Finder. There were quite a few fish underneath, Hank hopped up to the front of the boat, where he has an even better fish finder, and a small electric motor with which he made sure we were usually over a nice group of fish. |
Hank threw a line out as well to show us the technique it takes to catch Lake Trout. Soon Hank had one on the line and handed me his pole, to give me a chance to reel one in. It was a nice 2-3 pounder. We fished in this manner with a few hits, but then the amount of fish seemed to fade, and Hank took us to another spot. After a couple of nice ones, Hank handed the pole to Mike and said don't mess your pants. | A little history . . . Mike went out with Hank last weekend fishing for Kokanee Salmon, Mike brought home several nice ones and was astounded at how large these Salmon were. They averaged around 3 pounds. Well if Mike thought those were nice, Hank knew Mike wouldn't believe what was on the end of the line. Mike took the pole and immediately started grunting and holding on for dear life! He would pull, reel, let some out, pull, reel . . . |
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| Then the fish came up high enough to see, well Mike nearly crapped his pants! So did I!! That fish was awesome! That Mack didn't like the sight of the boat and headed down, giving Mike a bit more fight. Eventually he pulled the fish up to where Hank could get hold of the tail and hoist it into the boat. From the pictures above you can see how the story played out. I'll tell you, Mike couldn't stop talking about that fish all the way back to Vernal! |
Hank readjusted the postion of the boat after Mike's 10 minute Mackinaw fight, and we went back to fishing. Hank said there was a good group of fish below, and I felt a little tug and set the hook. Much to my surprise, my pole stayed doubled over and I started reeling. Although not as large as Mike's, it was still awesome to real in a Mackinaw. |
The most interesting part of the trip, however, was talking with Hank. He has live in Manila for over 30 years and has been fishing Flaming Gorge over those years, learning |
Here
I am with my Lake Trout. Awesome!!| Not only
how to catch fish, and to help others catch fish, but fish history. Also,
much of the local lore, history Hank knows how most of the fish in Flaming Gorge got there, the origins of many fish whether in "The Gorge" or not, and much of the politics surrounding them. |
Hank is also the Dagget County Commissioner and has some great stories about the local jail, properties, what used to be built here or there. He also knows where $80,000 in gold is buried, well, the general area. He knows what happened when John Wesley Powell came through the area, and more! |
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If you are looking for the fishing adventure of a lifetime, in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Great conversation, history and an over all great time, give Hank a call and set up your fishing experience. Visit his site at Triangle "G" Fishing Service I plan on booking Hank every year that I can pick up a pole. Next time, I think I will take home some Kokanee Salmon, my wife loves it!! I may even take her so we can get twice as many! Thanks Hank!! |
