Weber River Fishing Report

As of May 1, the Governor of the State of Utah has moved from the State’s risk management from the High Risk Category of COVID-19 response to a Moderate Risk Category. There are still A LOT of restrictions in place, but we are allowed to move about a little bit more freely. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/Health/Phased%20Health%20Guidelines%20V4.0.1.pdf

Certain areas are on a stricter lockdown than others and out of state travel is strongly discouraged.

Morgan, Weber, and Summit County have all moved to the same Moderate Risk Guidelines that the Governor has put into effect.

Spring is here and the days are much warmer than they have been.

Above Rockport Reservoir, the Weber is beginning to open up and flows are around 437 CFS, but be mindful that the daytime heat can cause snow to melt and the river to become cloudy with runoff as the day progresses. Water releases from Rockport Reservoir are at 25.1 CFS. By Coalville the river is flowing at 68.5 CFS. Unfortunately, the current release is a little low for quality angling. Below Echo Reservoir the Weber is flowing at 68.9 CFS. The river is flowing at 901 CFS along I 84 near Mountain Green and at 702 CFS once it gets to Ogden. These flows are a little high for quality angling. Current snowpack in the Weber River Drainage is sitting at 65 percent of normal.

Unfortunately, the current flows on the Weber are not ideal for angling. With that being said, Mother’s Day Caddis are right around the corner. Once flows are more ideal, be ready for some great fishing on the Weber.

If you are going to try and fish the Weber, bring sow bugs (16-18), zebra midges (18-22), other assorted midges (18-24), Baetis nymphs (18-20), caddis larva (16-18), and some small streamers like a Zonker or Sculpzilla in white, olive, or black.

Small Stream Fishing Report

As of May 1, the Governor of the State of Utah has moved from the State’s risk management from the High Risk Category of COVID-19 response to a Moderate Risk Category. There are still A LOT of restrictions in place, but we are allowed to move about a little bit more freely. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/Health/Phased%20Health%20Guidelines%20V4.0.1.pdf

Certain areas are on a stricter lockdown than others and out of state travel is strongly discouraged. Some National Parks and National Monuments are still shut down. Check with current county and federal restrictions before heading out to a fishery.

With Spring making its way into Utah, it is time to test out some of our smaller fisheries. With the warming temperatures, expect runoff to make freestone streams cloudy and unfishable as the day progresses. If you are headed to a freestone, plan to go early or on a colder day. Access to a lot our smaller tailwater and freestone rivers will also be limited because of snow. With that being said, there are some areas in Northern, Central, and Southern Utah that are accessible to fish. Look for fisheries with paved access if you are planning on venturing out and let someone know where you are planning on going incase you are headed somewhere without cell service

The high pressure has broken and storms have been making their way through. Check the weather before venturing out into remote areas. Snow is rapidly melting, but our snowpack is still sitting between 60 and 100 percent of normal across the state.

When venturing out on Utah’s small streams in the early season, it is good to have a variety of flies in your arsenal. Depending on where you are at you might find midges, blue wings, Skwalla Stones, or even an early caddis hatch. Being runoff season, fish will also be willing to eat a San Juan Worm. If you aren’t productive with any of those flies, try to swing a streamer through some of the deeper runs.

Green River Fishing Report

Due to COVID-19, Utahns are expected to stay home whenever possible. The directive includes specific instructions for all individuals, as well as high-risk individuals (60 years and older and those with serious underlying medical conditions), and children. The directives regarding hygiene, gatherings, travel, and outdoor recreation are effective immediately.

According to the State of Utah, traveling to engage in recreational and outdoor activities is considered essential travel, therefore I am updating our fishing reports. The TriCounty Health Department has instituted the same proclamation as the State of Utah for Duchesne, Uintah, and Daggett Counties.

Signs of Spring are starting to show up on the Green River in Utah. We are seeing highs in the 40’s and low 50’s with the occasional Spring storm passing through. Snowpack is currently sitting at 105 percent of average in the Upper Green River drainage and 115 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 March. The water currently being released from the dam is around 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

The streamer fishing continues to be decent, but there has been a bit more pressure on the river than a few weeks ago. My best colors have been ginger, white and gold, olive and copper, gray, and black. A decent midge hatch is happening during the warmest part of the day. Look for fish to be rising in the slower seams and eddies. We have also seen a few blue wings starting to show up, but don’t expect a great Beatis hatch for another week or so. 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.

With the warming temperatures, Red Creek has been running off color. On most days, the lower river is still fishable. Especially with darker colored streamers. Below Indian Crossing there has been quite a bit of moss floating in the river. This has made the streamer fishing down on C a little difficult, but still manageable.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, The Wyoming Department of Health finds it necessary to protect the health of the public by implementing emergency measures to close all restaurants, bars, theaters, gymnasiums, child care facilities, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools, in the State of Wyoming, through April 17, 2020.

There are some signs of Spring making their way into Southwestern Wyoming. Some of these signs include melting snow, mud, and run off on the warmer days. If you are going to head this way, dress warm and expect to still find frozen guides throughout the early morning hours. If you are wade fishing be mindful of where you are driving. Icy and snowy roads in the morning can become mud pits in the afternoon. Flows below Fontenelle Reservoir are around 1,030 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River drainage is currently sitting at 105 percent of normal and 114 percent of normal in the Lower Green River drainage.

With the warming temperatures, expect the Green River to start turning off color from Slate Creek down. River temperatures are still quite cold so think scuds and midges if you are nymphing. Expect fish to be holding in drop offs and deep seams. Some Baetis are starting to show up, but they won’t be of much significance for a few more weeks. Streamer fishing has been decent. White and gold, ginger, olive and copper, and black have been my go to colors up North.