Winter has made its way into Utah and most of our high elevation lakes have iced over. Ice fishing season is here if you are into that sort of thing. Access to a lot of our smaller streams is limited due to snow. There are some areas in Northern, Central, 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. The snowfall has calmed down a little, but most of the state is still sitting well about 100 percent of our normal snowpack.
Green River Fishing Report
Winter has settled in on the Green River. Snowpack is currently sitting at 106 percent of average in the Upper Green River drainage and 143 percent of average in the Lower Green River drainage. The Daily average release out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir is currently at 2,150 CFS. The current flow pattern is a double peak in flows. At 6 AM the flows are increased to 2,700 CFS and then they drop around 1 PM to around 1,300 CFS. The flow increases again to around 2,700 CFS around 5 PM then drops back to 1,300 CFS at midnight. It is expected to remain there until the end of February. The water currently being released from the dam is around 42 degrees Fahrenheit.
The streamer fishing has been heating up. My best colors have been gray, white and gold, ginger, olive and copper, and black and peacock. There is a small midge hatch during the warmest part of the day in the slower water. 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), zebra midge (18-20), Frenchie (16), Prince Nymph (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 a little bit of moss in the river, but not enough to be of much concern. Flows below Fontenelle Reservoir are currently around 901 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River drainage is currently sitting at 106 percent of average and 143 percent in the Lower Green River drainage.
It is winter time so think scuds and midges. Streamer fishing has been decent. 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 147 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 173 CFS. Below Deer Creek the flows are at 149 CFS. River temperatures are around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter conditions have settled in so begin to start looking for fish in the deeper pockets, pools, and riffles. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 141 percent of average.
Look for midge activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions, the dry fly fishing has been pretty good between 12 and 3. With the cooler temperatures and the spawn beginning to wind down the streamer fishing should be decent.
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), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker (20-24).
Brown trout are spawning. Please be mindful of spawning fish and their redds.