Weber River Fishing Report

As of May 21, the Governor of the State of Utah has moved from the State’s risk management from the Moderate Risk Category of COVID-19 response to a Low Risk Category. There are still certain areas that are in the Moderate Risk Category. Please practice social distancing while recreating and traveling around outdoors. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utahs-health-guidance-system/

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

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

Above Rockport Reservoir, flows are around 177 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 185 CFS. By Coalville the river is flowing at 98.3 CFS. Below Echo Reservoir the Weber is flowing at 409 CFS. The river is flowing at 197 CFS along I 84 near Mountain Green and at 106 CFS once it gets to Ogden. These flows are pretty good for some quality angling. Current snowpack in the Weber River Drainage is sitting at 24 percent of normal.

Midge, Caddis, and a few remaining Baetis are around, Yellow Sallies and PMD’s are just around the corner.

If you are going to try and fish the Weber, bring some Peacock Caddis (16-18), X Caddis (16-18), 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 21, the Governor of the State of Utah has moved from the State’s risk management from the Moderate Risk Category of COVID-19 response to a Low Risk Category. There are still certain areas that are in the Moderate Risk Category. Please practice social distancing while recreating and traveling around outdoors. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utahs-health-guidance-system/

Certain areas are on a stricter lockdown than others, be mindful of this. Some National Parks and National Monuments are still shut down. Check with current county, state, and federal restrictions before heading out to a fishery.

With Spring in full bloom here in Utah, it is time to test out some of our smaller fisheries. Certain fisheries are closed until the second Saturday in July for the Cutthroat spawn. Check the Utah fisheries proclamation before heading out. 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

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

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.

The Tri County Region has moved to the same Moderate Risk Guidelines that the Governor has put into effect.

Spring is here on the Green River in Utah. We are seeing highs in the 60’s and low 70’s with the occasional Spring storm passing through. Snowpack is currently sitting at 104 percent of average in the Upper Green River drainage and 93 percent of average in the Lower Green River drainage. The release out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir is currently at 950 CFS. The water currently being released from the dam is around 42.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lower flows have made the fish suspend and look towards Baetis and midges on the surface. Look for fish to be rising in the slower seams and eddies. There has been a steady midge hatch everyday. On cloudy days the Baetis hatch has been very thick. My go to dry flies have been a Trailing Shuck Baetis and a Cluster Midge. 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), Baetis nymphs (16-18), Prince Nymph (16) and a variety of San Juan Worms from Secret Riffle down.

With the warming temperatures and low flows, Red Creek has been running off color. The streamer bite is okay below Red Creek, but river clarity is not very ideal.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

The following is copied from https://www.sweetwaternow.com/no-fishing-for-non-residents-in-wyoming-until-may-8/

“The sale of non-resident daily and five-day fishing licenses were suspended a few weeks ago, and that suspension will be extended through May 8.

The suspension of sale is being done to align with Governor Mark Gordon’s directive to have non-resident visitors self quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state through May 8.

Brian Nesvik, Wyoming Game and Fish Director, said the suspension of the sale of these licenses is intended to protect the health of Wyoming residents. With non-residents coming into the state, they present the risk of bringing the COVID-19 Coronavirus with them.

On May 8, the Wyoming Game and Fish plans to resume the sale of the non-resident fishing licenses immediately.”

I will update my fishing reports accordingly once this restriction has been lifted.