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The CUP mitigation team had identified this river section as high priority for preservation of
the fishery and public access. The land will ultimately be transferred to the Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources for management as a public Class II artificial lure-only fishery.
Features. Steep canyon walls serve as a backdrop for the lush, little-disturbed riparian
forest community. Narrowleaf cottonwoods are well adapted to arid conditions. Dogwoods grow to 12
feet, with bright red or purplish bark, sporting white blossoms May through July. Willows proliferate,
and wild roses bloom May through August. The exceptional riparian cover hosts a variety of mammals,
including mountain lion, bear, elk, deer, and non-game species. Raptors and waterfowl round out the
animal community.
In part, the wild Strawberry corridor owes its good health and high water quality to having sustained
minimal grazing impact over the years. Combine this with an outstanding shale spawning substrate, and
the result is an unusually productive trout population. Yellowstone Cutthroat trout, a species introduced
to Utah in the early part of the century, share the water with Brown Trout, a hardy, carnivorous fish.
Activities. Enjoy outstanding fly-fishing beginning in the spring, after run-off has subsided.
Vehicle access to the river is possible from the Strawberry Pinnacles area, and extends for 6 miles. Public
access on this road ends at the gate. Hikers may begin at Soldier Creek Dam and follow the trail eastward
along the north bank of the river. Public access ends after about 8 miles, 1 mile west of Beaver Canyon.
Please be respectful of private property boundaries. Overnight camping is prohibited, but bring a picnic
lunch and spend a long summer's day.
The Nature Conservancy is currently involved in other stream enhancement and preservation projects
throughout Utah. We fully support all of their preservation efforts, from river and stream preservation
to the wetlands preservation currently underway, and encourage you to do so also. Valuable wild lands
resource preservation is the key to ensuring a future that involves wild places, which is critical for
all of us and our future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.
The Nature Conservancy accomplishes much of the preservation by purchasing the land and then turning
it over to a state or federal agency for management. The Nature Conservancy does most of this work behind
the scenes, and many of us who benefit from the preservation never realize it was TNC who initiated the
preservation. They do a tremendous job accomplishing what matters the most, preserving our last wild places.
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