As the crisp autumn air sweeps across the high plateaus of Utah, a hush falls over the wild country, broken only by the whisper of aspen leaves and the distant call of migratory birds. It is in this golden season that Six Lakes Preserve emerges as a sanctuary for anglers and hunters alike—a place where artistry and tradition converge amid fiery foliage and mirror-bright waters.

Nestled in the foothills of the Uinta Mountains, Six Lakes Preserve is a tapestry of lakes, streams, and meadows stitched together by red rock landscape. The preserve’s name is a literal one: six distinct lakes, their surfaces rippling with the breeze, each lake connected by winding creeks and shaded by stands of pinyon pine and juniper trees. In autumn, this landscape is transformed; the mountains are dusted with the season’s first snow, while the valleys glow with the colors of turning leaves. The air is brisk, tinged with woodsmoke and the promise of adventure.

Fall is, without question, the crown jewel of the fly fishing calendar at Six Lakes. The cooling waters awaken the trout, spurring them to feed with vigor in anticipation of the lean winter months ahead. Brown trout, rainbow trout, tiger, and brook trout glide beneath the surface, their colors deepening with the changing season.

Each of the six lakes offers its own unique challenges and rewards for anglers. Meadow Lake, shaded by a fringe of willows, is renowned for its elusive large rainbows and browns that rise for midges on still mornings. Totem Lake and Duck Lake, ringed by golden foliage, is a favorite haunt for rainbows and offers exceptional dry fly action. 

In fall, terrestrial patterns—ants, beetles, grasshoppers—are especially effective, as the insect world makes its last flourish before frost. Streamers fished along the drop-offs entice aggressive strikes from pre-spawn browns, while nymphs drifted below indicators draw in the more cautious. The mornings are cool and misty, and the afternoon sun often coaxes a hatch of midges, inviting precise casts and delicate presentations.

A gentle cast, a ripple on the water, and the sudden electric tug of a trout—these are the moments that define fall fly fishing at Six Lakes. Anglers wade quietly through shallows brushed with fallen leaves, their breath rising in the chill, every sense attuned to the rhythms of water and wind.

While the lakes teem with fish, the uplands and marshes that surround them come alive with the flutter and rush of wings. Autumn at Six Lakes marks the beginning of upland game hunting, a tradition steeped in both skill and stewardship.  Six Lakes guests can hunt in the Duchesne River wetlands south of the Six Lakes property at the beautiful Pleasant Valley Hunting Preserve.  

Bird hunters at Six Lakes favor the classic walk-up method, working fields and coverts with well-trained pointing or flushing dogs. The early mornings are punctuated by the eager wagging of tails and the sharp scent of frost on the grass. Hunters move in silence, their boots dampened by dew, eyes scanning for the sudden burst of wings.

Autumn at Six Lakes is more than sport; it is an immersion in the wild. The croak of a raven, the chill in the air, the distant bugle of an elk—these are the sounds that soundtrack each day. Hunters and anglers share tales at dusk around lodge fires, their faces alight with the glow of achievement and camaraderie.

Six Lakes Preserve is a private property, and access is by reservation only. The season typically runs from mid-September through late November, with peak colors and activity in October. Guides are available for both fishing and hunting, offering local expertise, well-trained dogs, and a deep knowledge of the preserve’s ecology.

Lodging ranges from small cabins tucked among the trees to a comfortable main lodge overlooking the water. Gear rentals are available, and the preserve is family-friendly—making it an ideal destination for both seasoned outdoorspeople and those new to the field and stream.

In the end, what draws people to Six Lakes in the fall is not simply the prospect of catching a fish or a heavy game bag, but the rare chance to lose oneself in the rhythm of wild things. It is the laughter echoing off the water, the silent nod between hunting partners, the glint of gold on a trout’s flank, the thunderous flush of birds from golden grass.

For those who come seeking both challenge and solace, Six Lakes Preserve in autumn offers a celebration of all that is best in the outdoor life—a place where the pulse of the season can be felt in every cast and every flight.