Small Stream Fishing Report

Winter has made its way into Utah and most of our high elevation lakes have started to ice over. Access to a lot of our smaller streams is also becoming limited do to snow. There are some areas in Central Utah and Southern Utah that are available to fish, but again access is limited, it is Winter. Look for tailwater fisheries with paved access if you are thinking of venturing out. We have had one of the snowiest early Decembers that I have ever seen and snowpacks around the state are sitting well about average.

Brown trout are spawning. Please be mindful of spawning fish and their redds.

Green River Fishing Report

The high pressure has broken and wet and colder weather has made its way back to the Green River. We are currently in an increasing flow pattern that began on November 14 and will continue until December 4. Daily releases are being increased by 50 CFS per day to bring the flows from a daily average of 1,100 CFS to 2,150 CFS. Once the daily average is at 2,150 CFS, it is expected to remain there until the end of February. The water currently being released from the dam is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The streamer fishing has been heating up. My best colors have been white and gold, olive and copper, and black and peacock. Terrestrial fishing has started to slow down, but is still good on the lower river. Hoppers, beetles, and crickets have been working. If they are not eating the big bug, try trailing a smaller ant behind the hopper. Midges are around first thing in the morning, as the day progresses you will see some Psuedocloeon and Baetis coming out and some October caddis making an appearance. Expect to see more and more Baetis in the coming days. From the boat, I like to target the Baetis sipping fish with a dry dropper rig. These fish are very spooky so if you are targeting them, a stealthy approach is key. I’ll use a hopper that I can see trailed by a small Baetis or gray midge. I have found Mercer’s missing link fly to be doing the trick when targeting the risers from the bank. 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) radiation Baetis (18-20), zebra midge (18-20), Frenchie (16), and a variety of San Juan Worms from Secret Riffle down.

Brown trout are spawning. Please be mindful of spawning fish and their redds.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

The cold, snow, and wind have returned to Southwestern Wyoming. If you are going to head here, dress warm. There is still quite a bit of moss in the river, but not nearly as bad as it was this time last year. Flows below Fontenelle Reservoir are currently around 984 CFS.

The terrestrial activity has become non existent, but you will see midge activity early in the morning and a good amount of Baetis activity later in the day. Streamer fishing has been heating up. White and gold, ginger, olive and copper, and black and peacock have been my go to colors up north.

Some brown trout are still spawning. Please be mindful of spawning fish and their redds.

Provo River Fishing Report

Releases from Jordanelle are at 145 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 167 CFS. Below Deer Creek the flows are at 279 CFS. River temperatures are around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Flows on the river are lower than what they have been so start looking for fish in the deeper pockets, pools, and riffles.

As with all of our other streams and rivers, look for midge activity earlier in the day and as the day progresses expect to see a good amount of Baetis activity and a few October caddis. The dry fly fishing has been pretty good between 12 and 3. Some ants and terrestrials are still around so if you want to fish a hopper, move around and fish these flies in the faster pocket water. With the cooler temperatures the streamer fishing should be starting to pick up.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22), cardinal midge (22-24), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), pheasant tail (18-22), Barr’s BWO emerger (20-22). For dries, have a few Winger BWO (20-22), Mother Shucker (24), some assorted terrestrials, and a few large caddis.

Brown trout are spawning. Please be mindful of spawning fish and their redds.