A setting even Ansel Adams would drool over has a problem. One of northern Utah’s greatest tributaries has unwanted attractions along its shores and riverbeds.

Trash.

That’s where Jeff Wagner and the High Country Fly Fishers come into the picture.

The local fly fishing club, in association with Trout Unlimited, is given a choice every year to select a river or stream in the state to focus on, clean and conserve.

The club handpicked the stunning Provo River.

Trout Unlimited is an organization that consists of nearly 140,000 registered fly fishermen dedicated to keeping the rivers and streams of North America clean and safe for people, and most importantly, wildlife.

Wagner is the president of High Country Fly Fishers and is in his fourth year as part of the organization. Wagner was adamant to address the issue that is the nuisance of rubbish which poisons the middle-to-lower Provo that the club will focus on.

“(The Provo) is the main river in our area that many members of our community use to fish and just enjoy,” Wagner said. “We’re going to cover the river as much as possible.”

Saturday, the club will be strapping on waders to trudge up river looking to rid the area of trash and other harmful pieces of garbage.

The meeting will be at the first River Road stream access exit off U.S. 40 in Midway starting at 9 a.m. Participants will be club members, volunteers and school children from Summit and Wasatch counties.

As part of this state-wide initiative, participants will be equipped with large garbage bags and will try and eradicate as much of the pollution as possible.

“Just from our own perspective, we want to have a clean environment,” Wagner said. “We’re very conservation-oriented. Most of us take garbage bags when we go fishing regularly, too.”

Wagner mentioned that the club has been part of this cleanup initiative since he’s been with High Country Fly Fishers. Following the effort that will go till about 1 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a cookout at the Four Seasons Fly Shop in Heber.

Wagner reiterated that the cleanup is a positive activity for more than just fly fishermen or members of the club; he wants anyone interested in helping the cause to know they’re more than welcome.

“We’re trying to get the community involved,” Wagner said. “It’s about trying to provide a service. We want to keep the river looking nice. We want to do the right thing.”

For more info contact Jeff Wagner at (716) 208-6354.