Current snowpacks around the state sit between 196 and 353 percent of normal. We had a record snow year here in Utah. There are some smaller tailwaters that are fishing well, but runoff will be a factor for quite some time on all free stone fisheries around the state. Patience is key and be mindful when driving on any dirt road as it might still be quite muddy.
Green River Fishing Report
From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of March 8, 2023 (end of day), Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6005.73 feet, which amounts to 67 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of February is approximately 58,000 acre-feet (af), which is 73 percent of the average February unregulated inflow volume. The current average daily release is 1,175 cfs.
The 2022 Drought Response Operations Agreement (DROA) Plan for May 2022 through April 2023 has been amended to suspend 2022 DROA Plan releases for the remainder of March and April 2023. The suspension of 2022 DROA Plan releases occurred on March 6, 2023. A total DROA release of approximately 463 kaf occurred under the 2022 DROA Plan. The approved Amendment is posted at https://www.usbr.gov/dcp/droa.html pages. The 2023 DROA Plan is under discussion and proposals developed will be provided through processes outlined in the DROA Framework.
A new operation will be finalized in early May 2023, and this will contain an operation plan from May 2023 through April 2024.
The March forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects slightly below average. March, April, and May forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 105,000 af (99 percent of average), and 125,000 af (100 percent of average), and 210,000 af (84 percent of average), respectively.”
What this means:
Maintenance on the dam should have been completed by April 1 so we should see a consistent flow of 800 - 850 CFS for the foreseeable future. River temperatures are approximately 38.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 108 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 137 percent of normal.
It is Spring, but it definitely doesn’t feel like Spring yet this year. While fronts are passing through expect incredibly windy conditions. There are areas around Dutch John with a ton of snow still. The dirt stretch of road down to Brown’s Park will be incredibly muddy for quite some time as nighttime temperatures become close to or above freezing. Also expect Red Creek to be flowing for quite some time rendering the lower river unfishable. These are all good things for the long term, but a bummer for the short term. We needed the moisture.
Fishing has been good on the Upper River and it will just get better as the hatches get stronger. Baetis are moving and there is a thick midge hatch everyday. You can also still get the job done on the streamer, but as real bugs begin to take over trout’s diets the bite will no longer be as good as it was a few weeks ago.
For nymphs: Zebra midges size (18-20) in a variety of different colors, blue wing patterns size (16-18) in dark olive of black color ways. Purple usually works as well, but I haven’t had much luck on purple yet this season (it’s still very early). Scuds always produce on the stretches of water close to the dam size (18-20).
For dries: Blue wing cripples size (16-18), Cluster midges size 16, a variety of other smaller midge patterns will work as well, a Paracricket or chubby in a size 12 will cover the winter stone flies or will hold up a dry dropper rig.
For streamers: Usually this time of the year is all about olive, but white, gold, and black will also work.
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.