Winter has made its way into Utah and most of our high elevation lakes have iced over. Ice fishing season is here if you are into that sort of thing. Access to a lot of our smaller streams is limited due to snow. There are some areas in Northern, Central, and Southern Utah that are available to fish, but again access is limited. It is Winter. Look for tailwater fisheries with paved access if you are thinking of venturing out. The snowfall has calmed down a little, but all of the state is sitting well above 100 percent of our normal snowpack.
Green River Fishing Report
Winter has settled in on the Green River. Snowpack is currently sitting at 101 percent of average in the Upper Green River drainage and 126 percent of average in the Lower Green River drainage. The daily average release out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir is currently at 2,150 CFS. The current flow pattern is a double peak in flows. At 6 AM the flows are increased to 2,700 CFS and then they drop around 1 PM to around 1,300 CFS. The flow increases again to around 2,700 CFS around 5 PM then drops back to 1,300 CFS at midnight. It is expected to remain there until the end of February. The water currently being released from the dam is around 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
The streamer fishing continues to be good My best colors have been gray, white and gold, ginger, olive and copper, and black and peacock. There is a small midge hatch during the warmest part of the day in the slower water. For nymphs this time of the year you will want to have small gray scuds (18-20), small gray and brown WD 40’s (20-24), gray soft hackle (18-20), zebra midge (18-20), Frenchie (16), Prince Nymph (16) and a variety of San Juan Worms from Secret Riffle down.
Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report
The cold, snow, and wind are here to stay for a while in Southwestern Wyoming. If you are going to head here, dress warm. Flows below Fontenelle Reservoir are around 973 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River drainage is currently sitting at 101 percent of normal and 126 percent of normal in the Lower Green River drainage.
It is winter time so think scuds and midges. Streamer fishing has been decent. White and gold, ginger, olive and copper, and black and peacock have been my go to colors up north.
Provo River Fishing Report
Releases from Jordanelle are at 144 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 166 CFS. Below Deer Creek the flows are at 145 CFS. River temperatures are around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter conditions have settled in so begin to start looking for fish in the deeper pockets, pools, and riffles. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 117 percent of average.
Look for midge activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions, the dry fly fishing can be okay between 12 and 3. The nymphing has been consistently inconsistent as well. If the midge hatch goes off the fish will be active. We are almost through the lull of January though so the fishing should be starting to pick up again. If there is no hatch the streamer fishing could be decent.
When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22), cardinal midge (22-24), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker (20-24).