Provo 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.

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

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 327 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 251 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 663 CFS.  The Lower Provo River is running pretty high so be mindful when wading if you choose to fish the Lower. River temperatures are currently around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 69 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours.

Look for midge and Baetis activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 5 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge and Baetis hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), Baetis nymphs (18-22), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker in gray or black (20-24) and some Baetis dry flies (18-22).

Provo 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. Wasatch County has issued the same stay at home order as the rest of the state, BUT recreational visitors may not come and recreate in Wasatch County, including for outdoor recreation and camping. This order is to remain in effect until April 14, 2020.

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 145 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 167 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 268 CFS.  FYI, the Provo River Water Users Association will be increasing flows from Deer Creek dam to test a new valve on the dam. Testing of the valve will begin on April 6 and last until April 12. Each morning, flows downstream of the dam will begin increasing slowly at 5% increments throughout each day and will not be increased more than 100 cfs (cubic feet per second) per hour. River flows are currently at around 250 cfs and will increase up to 850 cfs each afternoon. Please use caution during this period. River temperatures are currently around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 103 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours.

Look for midge and Baetis activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 5 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge and Baetis hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), Baetis nymphs (18-22), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker in gray or black (20-24) and some Baetis dry flies (18-22).

Provo River Fishing Report

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 148 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 174 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 292 CFS. River temperatures are around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 98 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours. Even though it is March and we are seeing daytime temperatures in the 60’s, Winter conditions still remain so look for fish in the deeper pockets, pools, and riffles. However, with the Baetis hatch beginning to come into play, fish will quickly hone in on the hatch and transition to shallower water any day now.

Look for midge activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 3 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), Baetis nymphs (18-22), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker in gray or black (20-24) and some Baetis dry flies (18-22).

Provo River Fishing Report

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 147 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 188 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 307 CFS. River temperatures are around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though it is March and we are seeing daytime temperatures in the 60’s, Winter conditions still remain so look for fish in the deeper pockets, pools, and riffles. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 103 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours.

Look for midge activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 3 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), 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).