Current Conditions
Generally speaking most of Utah’s small streams are inaccessible in the early spring months due to snow.
We currently are sitting on a statewide snowpack that is between 48 and 76 percent of normal. Therefore some areas are more accessible for spring angling opportunities than usual.
I have not ventured out to any small streams recently, but I’d expect to see some midge, baetis, and maybe even some skwala activity if you were to go searching for some solitude.
From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of March 7, 2022, Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6018.03 feet, which amounts to 78 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of February is approximately 30,000 acre-feet (af), which is 66 percent of the average February unregulated inflow volume.
The winter base flow period ended on February 28, a +/-25 percent base flow period. The daily average release of approximately 850 cfs is planned to be maintained through March.
The March forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects below average conditions. March, April, and May forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 75,000 af (71 percent of average), 85,000 af (68 percent of average), and 125,000 af (50 percent of average), respectively.
The March water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 540,000 acre-feet (56% of average). Current snowpack is 80% of median for the Upper Green Basin.”
What this means:
Current daytime releases out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir are at 867 CFS. River temperatures are approximately 38.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 79 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 87 percent of normal.
There is some midge and some mayfly activity, but winter on the Green is all about the streamer fishing. With the lower flows I have been using lighter sink tips or you can even get away with a floating line. Black, gray, and ginger have been my go to colors lately. Winter streamer patterns that I like are the peanut envy, gonga, dungeons, and sculpzillas.
From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of March 6, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6478.84 feet, which amounts to 46 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of February totaled 23,000 acre-feet (af) or 80 percent of average.
Fontenelle’s releases will be maintained at 825 cfs through the winter base flow period. These releases will be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.
The March final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. March, April, and May inflow volumes amount to 40,000 af (70 percent of average), 55,000 af (65 percent of average), and 95,000 af (54 percent of average), respectively. For Water Year 2022, the unregulated inflow is forecasted to be 726,000 af or 68% of average..”
What this means:
Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 787 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 79 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 87 percent of normal.
As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the winter you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to winter colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.
The snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is currently sitting between 79 and 96 percent of normal.
Dam releases below Jordanelle Reservoir are at 147 CFS. Flows in Charleston are at 168 CFS. Flows below Deer Creek Reservoir are at 107 CFS.
When fishing the Provo River during the winter months look for fish in the slower, deeper runs. The best time to fish is during the warmest part of the day (10 AM to 2:30 PM). Depending on the day you can see decent midge activity and may find some rising fish. Some beatis activity is occurring in the early afternoon.
Think small. Have a decent selection of small midges in the 20-26 size range. When nymphing, I like bling midges, cardinal midges, blood midges, WD 40’s, etc. Gray, brown, and red have been my go to colors. Expect very light takes when nymphing. For dry flies, I’ll use small mother shuckers, Matt’s midge, or a cluster midge all in that size 20-24 range.
Don’t be afraid to try streamers. Try slow stripping a sculpzilla or woolly bugger in some of the deeper holes. You might be rewarded with a substantial fish.
