Most of Utah’s small streams are inaccessible due to snow. Current snowpacks around the state sit between 150 and 196 percent of normal. We are off to a fantastic water year. Let’s keep it going!
Green River Fishing Report
From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of December 7, 2022, Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6009.87 feet, which amounts to 70 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of November is approximately 40,000 acre-feet (af), which is 80 percent of the average November unregulated inflow volume. The current average daily release is 1,760 cfs.
Pursuant to the 2022 Plan, which was just approved by the Upper Division States, the Upper Colorado River Commission, and the Department of the Interior, an additional 500 thousand acre-feet (kaf) will be delivered from Flaming Gorge Reservoir from May 2022 through April 2023 to Lake Powell. This volume will be added to the spring periods by increasing the Larval Trigger Study Plan (LTSP) releases to 8600 cfs for 7 days, a 3-day smallmouth bass flow spike (mid-late July, possibly earlier), as well as the summer-winter base flow period. Under a Drought Contingency Plan adopted in 2022, the total release volume to date is ~310 kaf (12/7). The total release volume under this same plan in WY2022 is 194 kaf.
The observed April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 552,000 acre-feet (57 percent of average), a moderately dry hydrologic classification. Due to spring flows being greater than 14,000 cfs for more than 4 days in Reach 2, per the 2022 Plan, an average hydrologic operation was conducted for summer, autumn, and winter base flow.
The December forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 28,000 af (85 percent of average), 34,000 af (84 percent of average), and 35,000 af (77 percent of average), respectively.”
What this means:
The Bureau of Reclamation is currently operating a double peak flow throughout the day. The flow is fluctuating between 1,200 CFS and 3,000 CFS. River temperatures are approximately 41.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 98 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 141 percent of normal.
You might see some midge activity at some point in the day, but Winter on the Green is all about the streamer game especially with the double peak in flows. The streamer bite can be fantastic while the flows are up. Depending on the day, colors will change. Generally speaking on dark or cloudy days throw dark colors and bright and sunny days throw bright colors.
Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report
From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of December 4, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6490.26 feet, which amounts to 66 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled approximately 33,250 acre-feet (af) or 80 percent of average.
Winter release has been set at 950 cfs to meet spring elevation targets and are forecasted to remain at this level through winter, subject to hydrology. The winter release is planned to be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.
The December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 27,000 af (84 percent of average), 25,000 af (83 percent of average), and 24,000 af (86 percent of average) respectively.”
What this means:
Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 973 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 98 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 141 percent of normal.
As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the Winter, you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to spring colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.
Fishing is closed from the Dam to the cable above Weeping Rock Campground until January 1, 2023.
Provo River Fishing Report
The snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is currently sitting around 157 percent of normal.
Dam releases below Jordanelle Reservoir are at 149 CFS. Flows in Charleston are at 158 CFS. Flows below Deer Creek Reservoir are at 132 CFS. Current water temperatures are around 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
When fishing the Provo River during the winter, look for fish in the slower, deeper runs. The best time to fish is during the warmest part of the day (10 AM to 2 PM).
When fishing in the winter you will mainly be fishing subsurface with sow bugs and midges. Try a small tailwater sow bug or Ray Charles 18-22. For midges, think small. Have a decent selection of tiny midges in the 20-26 size range. When nymphing midges, I like bling midges, cardinal midges, blood midges, WD 40’s, etc. Gray, brown, and red have been my go to colors as of late. For midge dry flies, I’ll use small mother shuckers, Matt’s midge, or a cluster midge all in that size 20-24 range.
Don’t be afraid to try streamers. Try slow stripping a sculpzilla or woolly bugger in some of the deeper holes. You might be rewarded with a substantial fish.