Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of March 5, 2023, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6475.61 feet, which amounts to 41 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of February totaled approximately 27,760 acre-feet (af) or 97 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 March final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. March, April, and May Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 45,000 af (79 percent of average), 70,000 af (83 percent of average), and 125,000 af (71 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 952 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 108 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 137 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.

It has been incredibly cold and windy on the Upper Green this winter so there is a lot more ice build up along the river and deeper snow drifts on roads then in years past. Make sure you have the appropriate gear and long tow straps to launch and load a boat.

Provo River Fishing Report

The snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is currently sitting around 203 percent of normal.

Dam releases below Jordanelle Reservoir are at 201 CFS. Flows in Charleston are at 165 CFS. Flows below Deer Creek Reservoir are at 212 CFS. Current water temperatures are around 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

When fishing the Provo River during the Spring, look for fish in the slower, deeper runs until the hatch begins. Once the hatch begins expect the majority of the fish to move to the heads of the pools to capitalize on the bugs moving through the riffles. The best time to fish is during the warmest part of the day (10 AM to 5PM). There has been a decent midge hatch and the Baetis are moving.

When fishing in the Spring, you will be able to target fish using all tactics of fly fishing. This is my favorite time of the year to fish the Provo. Before the hatch begins you can cover water with streamers and try to move a big one. Olive and copper is my favorite color in the Spring. You can also nymph fish up before or after the hatch gets going. Sow bugs, midges, and baetis are the patterns that you will be fishing. I like a sow bug in a size 18-22, zebra midges, kf flashers, and bling midges in sizes 20-24, and baetis nymphs like the slim shady, juju baetis, and quill bomb in sizes 16-20. Once the hatch gets going you can fish with a dry dropper set up or a single point dry fly. I like a peacock cluster midge in a size 16, mother shuckers in a size 18-22, and crippled baetis patterns in a size 18. For tippet sizes this time of the year I am using either 5 or 6 x.

Weber River Fishing Report

Current snowpack in the Weber River Drainage is sitting at 192 percent of normal.

Releases out of Rockport Reservoir are currently at 304 CFS

Releases out of Echo Reservoir are currently at 521 CFS.

River flows by Mountain Green are at approximately 912 CFS.

We are finally seeing decent flows on the Weber River. The Rockport to Echo stretch along I-80 is running a little high, but is very fishable. Be very mindful of where you are wading on the I-84 stretch of the Weber because flows are very high for this time of the year, especially from Mountain Green downstream to Ogden. Expect to see similar conditions to what you would find on the Provo. The most midge activity and therefore the best fishing will be during the warmest part of the day (11 AM - 5PM). Plan on having some sow bugs, midges, and some baetis patterns for nymphing. For dries, be prepared with a variety of your favorite midges. It’s still Winter so light tippet (at least 6X) and long leaders are keys to success, both dry fly and nymph eats are fairly subtle during this time of the year. With the higher flows, the streamer fishing could be decent. I like to fish non articulated streamers like zonkers and buggers on smaller rivers like the Weber. Try them in a variety of different colors. Think dark colors on dark days and bright colors on bright days and be prepared to cover water for success while streamer fishing.

Small Stream Fishing Report

A lot of Utah’s small streams are inaccessible due to snow. Current snowpacks around the state sit between 161 and 317 percent of normal. We are having a record snow year here in Utah with the possibility of a few more weeks until it peaks for the season. Runoff will be a factor for quite some time once it begins. Patience is key and be mindful when driving on any dirt road as it will be quite muddy.