Park City Area Fishing Report
For current river flow charts CLICK HERE
5/27/26
How to be a Great Fly Fishing Client
By Mayfly Guide Service
Just Relax and Enjoy the Day
Our motto at Mayfly Guide Service is simple:
“All you have to do is show up — we’ll take care of the rest.”
There’s no reason to stress. We’re going to have a great day on the water.
We can’t control the weather, river conditions, or exactly how the fish will behave. What we can control is our attitude and the experience we create together. A positive mindset goes a long way in fly fishing.
Catching Fish Is the Bonus
Don’t get us wrong — catching fish is awesome. But sometimes the best part of the day has nothing to do with the trout.
Standing in a river surrounded by snow-capped peaks, red rock canyons, massive bluffs, open plains, or even spotting a curious moose along the bank is one of the most immersive outdoor experiences you can have.
Fly fishing has a way of slowing everything down.
Take a few minutes to sit on the bank. Watch the current. Look for bugs. Take in the mountains. Enjoy a drink and the quiet around you.
Very few things shut your brain off from the rest of the world like a day on the river.
Of course, our guides are working hard to put you on fish — and more often than not, we’ll find them. But even on slower days, remember how lucky we are just to be out there.
Arrive Ready to Learn
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced angler, there is always something to learn.
Our guides spend hundreds of days on these rivers every year. They understand the water, insect hatches, seasonal patterns, and trout behavior better than almost anyone. That’s why you hired a guide in the first place.
The best clients are the ones who:
At Mayfly Guide Service, teaching is one of the most important parts of what we do. There are no secrets we’re trying to keep from you. If you leave the river having learned nothing, then we missed the point.
And don’t worry — there are no dumb questions out here.
Have Patience
Fly fishing is hard.
Even experienced anglers tangle rods, lose fish, break flies off, and make bad casts. It happens to everyone.
When I first started fly fishing as a kid, it took me nearly a full year to catch my first trout on a fly rod with no help. As guides, we’re trying to help clients learn the basics in about 30 minutes.
You’re going to make mistakes. You might fall in the river. You’ll probably tangle something.
We’ve seen it all — many times over.
Your guide will have patience with you, so remember to have patience with yourself too. Slow down, ask questions, and trust the process.
That’s how improvement happens.
Be Prepared
Before every trip, your guide will contact you with all the important details:
If we’re providing waders and boots, please be honest about your sizes. We truly don’t care what size you are — we just want you comfortable and safe on the water.
If you have:
We carefully choose fishing locations based on your comfort level, physical ability, and overall goals for the day.
Arrive on Time
This one matters more than people realize.
Your guide is often at the meeting spot long before you arrive preparing gear, rigging rods, organizing equipment, checking river conditions, and planning the day.
Showing up extremely early can interrupt that preparation time. Showing up late simply means less time fishing — and sometimes missing the best water or ideal fishing windows.
Your guide chooses meeting times carefully to give you the best experience possible.
That said, life happens. Traffic happens. We get it.
At the end of the day:
Gratuity
Tipping is always your choice. But if your guide worked hard, helped you learn, created a memorable experience, or gave you one of the best days you’ve ever had on the water, gratuity is greatly appreciated. A guided trip involves far more than just the hours spent fishing.
Before your trip, guides are:
Industry standard gratuity for fly fishing guides is generally 20–30%, though we often tell clients that around $100 per guide is considered a standard and appreciated tip.
If your guide gave you an unforgettable experience, let them know. It truly means a lot to us.
Final Thoughts
The best guided trips happen when everyone relaxes, communicates, and enjoys the experience together.
Fly fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about learning, exploring beautiful places, spending time outdoors, and creating memories that stick with you long after the trip is over.
At Mayfly Guide Service, we’re grateful every day for the opportunity to share these rivers with people. We truly love what we do and that passion shows when we are on the water. We want to take people fishing just to give them a glimpse of how incredible this sport is.
We’ll see you on the water.
How to be a Great Fly Fishing Client
By Mayfly Guide Service
Just Relax and Enjoy the Day
Our motto at Mayfly Guide Service is simple:
“All you have to do is show up — we’ll take care of the rest.”
There’s no reason to stress. We’re going to have a great day on the water.
We can’t control the weather, river conditions, or exactly how the fish will behave. What we can control is our attitude and the experience we create together. A positive mindset goes a long way in fly fishing.
Catching Fish Is the Bonus
Don’t get us wrong — catching fish is awesome. But sometimes the best part of the day has nothing to do with the trout.
Standing in a river surrounded by snow-capped peaks, red rock canyons, massive bluffs, open plains, or even spotting a curious moose along the bank is one of the most immersive outdoor experiences you can have.
Fly fishing has a way of slowing everything down.
Take a few minutes to sit on the bank. Watch the current. Look for bugs. Take in the mountains. Enjoy a drink and the quiet around you.
Very few things shut your brain off from the rest of the world like a day on the river.
Of course, our guides are working hard to put you on fish — and more often than not, we’ll find them. But even on slower days, remember how lucky we are just to be out there.
Arrive Ready to Learn
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced angler, there is always something to learn.
Our guides spend hundreds of days on these rivers every year. They understand the water, insect hatches, seasonal patterns, and trout behavior better than almost anyone. That’s why you hired a guide in the first place.
The best clients are the ones who:
- Ask questions
- Stay curious
- Take instruction well
- Want to improve
At Mayfly Guide Service, teaching is one of the most important parts of what we do. There are no secrets we’re trying to keep from you. If you leave the river having learned nothing, then we missed the point.
And don’t worry — there are no dumb questions out here.
Have Patience
Fly fishing is hard.
Even experienced anglers tangle rods, lose fish, break flies off, and make bad casts. It happens to everyone.
When I first started fly fishing as a kid, it took me nearly a full year to catch my first trout on a fly rod with no help. As guides, we’re trying to help clients learn the basics in about 30 minutes.
You’re going to make mistakes. You might fall in the river. You’ll probably tangle something.
We’ve seen it all — many times over.
Your guide will have patience with you, so remember to have patience with yourself too. Slow down, ask questions, and trust the process.
That’s how improvement happens.
Be Prepared
Before every trip, your guide will contact you with all the important details:
- Meeting location
- Start time
- River conditions
- Weather forecast
- What to wear
- What to bring
- Fishing licenses
- Waivers
- Expectations for the day
If we’re providing waders and boots, please be honest about your sizes. We truly don’t care what size you are — we just want you comfortable and safe on the water.
If you have:
- Mobility limitations
- Bad balance
- Recent injuries
- Concerns about hiking
- Concerns about getting wet
We carefully choose fishing locations based on your comfort level, physical ability, and overall goals for the day.
Arrive on Time
This one matters more than people realize.
Your guide is often at the meeting spot long before you arrive preparing gear, rigging rods, organizing equipment, checking river conditions, and planning the day.
Showing up extremely early can interrupt that preparation time. Showing up late simply means less time fishing — and sometimes missing the best water or ideal fishing windows.
Your guide chooses meeting times carefully to give you the best experience possible.
That said, life happens. Traffic happens. We get it.
At the end of the day:
- Flies will be cast
- Fish will be caught
- Fun will be had
Gratuity
Tipping is always your choice. But if your guide worked hard, helped you learn, created a memorable experience, or gave you one of the best days you’ve ever had on the water, gratuity is greatly appreciated. A guided trip involves far more than just the hours spent fishing.
Before your trip, guides are:
- Gathering gear
- Preparing waders and boots
- Tying flies
- Monitoring river conditions
- Planning locations
- Coordinating with other guides
- Rigging rods
- Preparing lunches
- Communicating trip details
Industry standard gratuity for fly fishing guides is generally 20–30%, though we often tell clients that around $100 per guide is considered a standard and appreciated tip.
If your guide gave you an unforgettable experience, let them know. It truly means a lot to us.
Final Thoughts
The best guided trips happen when everyone relaxes, communicates, and enjoys the experience together.
Fly fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about learning, exploring beautiful places, spending time outdoors, and creating memories that stick with you long after the trip is over.
At Mayfly Guide Service, we’re grateful every day for the opportunity to share these rivers with people. We truly love what we do and that passion shows when we are on the water. We want to take people fishing just to give them a glimpse of how incredible this sport is.
We’ll see you on the water.
