Green River Fishing Report

The winter flow pattern on the Green remains the same as last month, but fish have moved into their post spawn routines. This means that they are a little bit lazier and are hanging out in the slower runs and deeper pools. Snowpack in the Upper Green River and Lower Green River Drainages are sitting at 80 and 86 percent respectively. Releases from the dam will increase to 3,000 CFS at 7 AM, decrease to 1,100 CFS by 1 PM, increase again to 3,000 CFS at 7 PM, and then decrease to 1,100 CFS at 1 AM. Current water temperatures are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

What does this mean? Put on early, ride the wave, and throw streamers. Once the flow drops back down to 1,100 the fishing usually slows down as the fish are adjusting to the changing conditions. The rule I tend to follow when throwing streamers is bright days, bright colors, dark days, dark colors. I have been proven wrong on more than a few occasions with this mindset so don’t be afraid to change it up. Some of my favorite streamers in the winter are a gold woolly bugger, articulated goldie, the peanut envy in olive, ginger, or black, the dungeon in black, cream, natural, olive or white, or a black or white sculpzilla.

If you aren’t fishing streamers there still are some midge around. I usually like to target the picky fish feeding during this hatch with a dry dropper rig. If the fish are feeding higher up in the feeding lane or on the surface, use a smaller cluster midge to hold up either a zebra midge or a gray soft hackle. If the fish are deeper, use a chubby Chernobyl ant with a heavier and longer dropper to get down to them.

Nymphing throughout the winter will remain productive. Usually getting down deep with an egg pattern, San Juan worm, zebra midges, or scuds will do the trick throughout the next few months.

Provo River Fishing Report

The brown trout spawn on the Provo River is now over. However, January tends to be one of the slowest months for fishing due to lack of hatches, cold temperatures, and lethargic fish. Does that mean don’t fish? No, but pick and choose your days. The sunnier and warmer the day, the better the fishing. Snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is sitting at 93 percent. This is a good thing coming off of the worst water year ever in Utah’s history and more snow is on the way this weekend.

The release from Jordanelle Reservoir is at 150 CFS. River flows in Charleston are at 165 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the release from the dam is at 99 CFS.

There are some midges around so depending on the day, you can find some decent dry fly fishing. Fish a mother shucker, cluster midge, or other smaller midge patterns on 6 or 7x tippet and you will be rewarded if fish are rising.

Nymph or streamer fishing on the Provo can be productive as well in the winter months. Fish usually move into the deeper pools when the water temperatures drop so target slower, deeper water. If you are nymphing sow bugs or scuds will work throughout the winter. Also try smaller, flashy midges, think size 24 in red or purple. Fish will also eat a smaller zebra midge or a baetis emerger if a hatch comes off. Don’t be afraid to throw a larger prince nymph throughout the winter months as an attractor.

When streamer fishing the Provo, I tend to fish a non articulated streamer. I like small leech, baitfish, or sculpin patterns in olive/copper, natural, black, white/gold, or plain white. If you choose to fish streamers, keep moving, but be mindful of other anglers. The more water you cover, the better the chance you have of hooking up.

Small Stream Fishing Report

The spawn is over, but the cold weather and cold water of early January always leads to some lethargic fish. At this point last month we had been having one of the best starts to winter that we have seen in a long time. The snow has slowed down a little bit, but things are still looking good for next summer with snowpacks around the state sitting between 80 to 100 percent. More snow is on the way this weekend. This is great news for next summer, but not so great for access to many of Utah’s smaller streams. Depending on where you are and if you can gain access to the river, fishing could be okay. As with the Provo River you will find some midge activity throughout January. Most of these streams have sow bugs or scuds in them as well. If you are trying to get after it, definitely focus on tailwater fisheries because most mountain streams are frozen over at this point in the year.