Gone fishing: cast away workplace stress on a Utah river.

• Author: Ryther-Francom, Sarah
• Position: Executive Getaways

"Fly fishing is my life," says Mike Navidomskis, owner of Kaysville-based Mickey Finn's Fly Box. "It's everything--it's artistic, it's athletic, it's aesthetic, it's poetic." Navidomskis, who also teaches fly fishing classes and hosts a KSL Radio fishing-focused show each Saturday morning, has fished across the world--from New Zealand to Belize--but says that some of his favorite fishing getaways are in Utah's great outdoors. "Utah is full of great places to fish and relax," he says.

Navidomskis' fly fishing passion for Utah's rivers isn't unique. Aaron Peterson, executive vice president of sales at Prosper, Inc. and writer of the popular fishing blog, www.flyfishingfrenzy.com, is another avid angler whose favorite spots include the state's many majestic waters. He says fly fishing is the best way he's found to escape the workday stress. "Whatever I do, work is almost always on my mind, except when I'm out fly fishing," he says. "Because fly fishing requires so much attention, you're constantly thinking about what fly to use, what depth, how much weight--fly fishing is something that constantly keeps your mind going and really allows you to get away and forget the office."

Utah is home to numerous fly fishing spots just a few hours drive from downtown Salt Lake. Ranging from the Provo to the Weber rivers, to Seven-mile Creek to Strawberry Reservoir, to the hundreds of streams tucked away in the Uinta Mountains, Utah has numerous one-of-a-kind fishing holes that will help you cast away the everyday stress.

Weber River

"The Weber River is the most underrated river in Utah," says Navidomskis. "It is a world-class fishery that contains rainbow, brown brook and cutthroat trout. It's stocked with catchable fish all summer long, so it's also a great place to take kids or beginners. And, it's full of campgrounds, picnic areas and motels and cafes. It's really a great river for just about anyone looking for a good day of fishing." Beginning in the Uinta Mountains and emptying into the Great Salt Lake, fly fishing experts cast their lines on this 125-mile river when they need a quick escape from the office--just a short drive through Weber Canyon and you're ready for prime fishing.

Provo River

Only a 15-minute drive from Provo or an hour-and-a-half drive from Salt Lake City, the Provo River is considered to be one of the state's premier blue-ribbon trout spots. "I think the Provo is one of the best fisheries in all of Utah," says Peterson. "It's a...