Lessons Learned at Utah Lake

Fishing Time: 1:00 to 3:00

Weather:  Calm at launch, terrifying 50 mph winds when we left, T-70s

Moon Phase: 36% Moon

Location: Utah Lake (AF Boat Harbor)

Water Temp: 70 degrees

Best Bait: worm underneath a slip bobber

Who Went: Anthony Schuler, Devin Duncan, Addison Duncan, Dayton Duncan, Bobber John, Dunc

Bobber John and I went on a wild adventure to Utah Lake with all four of our kids.  We had to take Cari’s 7 seater Tahoe to fit the whole gang.  On arrival everything seemed right.  No wind, warm weather, and excited kids.  We made the drive over to our secret spot and started rigging multiple rods with slip bobbers and worms.  It didn’t take long until the kids had fish tugging on their lines. 

Addison started it off with an ugly carp that she didn’t dare hold for a photo.  Big brother Devin didn’t mind and helped her out.  Devin also caught a white bass of his own.  It was constant chaos and I lost a bunch of slip bobbers and hooks within minutes.  At all times we had snags, fish on, fish off, or lines snapped from a catfish that pulled to hard.

This all happened within 30 minutes and that’s when I looked to the south and saw it.  A dark storm that covered the entire southern sky with lightning coming down towards the lake.  A cool breeze hit my face and a voice ringed in my head that this was bad. I knew we needed to get started on our 20-minute boat ride back to the ramp and get these kids off the lake. 

The kids didn’t want to leave because we were sitting under blue skies and perfect weather, but they were about to get a lesson on why being cautious at Utah Lake is so important.  As we made our boat ride back to the ramp the wind began to increase, and the waves grew bigger.  I had a horrible angle on the waves and we were all getting wet and banged around on the boat.  Four small kids in rough water is scary.  I didn’t want them to go flying and hit their head, or worse bounce right out of the boat.  I knew I couldn’t stop and needed to get to the ramp as soon as possible.  By the time we made it to the American Fork Boat Harbor the winds were approaching 30 mph and the ramp was filled with people trying to get there boat off the lake.

We were very lucky that Bobber John and myself have so much experience loading my boat.  Within minutes he had the trailer in the water and I loaded the boat with no issues.  It was a good thing.  Right as the boat hit the trailer the wind revved up to 50 mph and all hell broke loose.  Boats going everywhere, kayaks flying, and people scrambling.  It created a dust storm and visibility was only about 50 ft.  I screamed at Bobber to go and he pulled the boat up the ramp and into the parking lot.  I tossed kids out of the boat and Bobber threw them in the Tahoe.  We strapped the boat down quickly and jumped in.  It was insane. 

We pulled the car around for a minute and watched the chaos ensue at the ramp.  By now the main lake looked terrifying with 4 to 5 ft white caps.  30 minutes before we were in perfect weather reeling in fish.  Now it was dark with 50 mph winds and no visibility.  There is no chance my boat would have made it across the lake in these conditions.  As we drove out of the boat harbor there were giant 3 ft diameter trees that had fallen across the road.  Luckily there was a gap to fit the Tahoe and boat around and we made it out alive.  I don’t think the kids will question me again if we see a storm approaching us on Utah Lake.  It was a good lesson learned and I’m glad we are all still here to talk about it!