Green River Fishing Report

Times of the peaks and drops have shifted a little bit, bu the winter flow pattern on the Green remains the same as the last couple of months. The fish are still hanging out in the slower runs and deeper pools. Snowpack in the Upper Green River and Lower Green River Drainages are sitting at 93 and 97 percent respectively. Releases from the dam will increase to 3,000 CFS at 8 AM, decrease to 1,100 CFS by 1 PM, increase again to 3,000 CFS at 6 PM, and then decrease to 1,100 CFS at 12 AM. Current water temperatures are around 38 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

February is here. The days are getting longer and the temperature is getting warmer. Fishing is on the up and up. Snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is sitting at 133 percent of normal. 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 145 CFS. River flows in Charleston are at 178 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the release from the dam is at 100 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

If you are trying to get after it on some of Utah’s smaller streams, definitely focus on tailwater fisheries with paved roads leading to them because most mountain streams are frozen over and the access roads are covered with several feet of snow. With most of the state sitting between 105 and 159 percent of normal snowpack, we should have a good amount of water this summer. This is great news because last year was the driest water year on record in Utah.

Winter small stream flies that I like are scuds, prince nymphs, midges, especially the blood midge this time of the year, and smaller streamers, especially sculpin or leech patterns that are slowly dredged through deeper holes.

Weber River Fishing Report

Water releases from Rockport Reservoir are at 26.6 CFS and the river is frozen over by Coalville. Even along Interstate 84 most of the Weber has frozen over or is very low. We do not recommend fishing the Weber at these flows. The good news is that the Weber River Drainage is looking at 121 percent of normal snowpack so water flows should be great this summer.