Utah Fly Fishing Reports

[oceanwp_library id="10138"]

Green River Fishing Report 08/11/2018

Location

Green River Below Flaming Gorge Dam

Overview

The summer hatches are winding down, but there are still great days to be had. There has been some water clarity issues on the lower river as we are now in monsoon season. Make sure to have a raincoat on the boat as some of these storms can produce strong winds, rain, and hail in the mid to late afternoons. Make sure to ask around when in town to get an up to date report on the water clarity below Red Creek Rapid. With that being said, fishing on the upper river has remained excellent. The dry fly fishing is getting a little tougher as the hatch has slowed down, but make sure to try throwing big terrestrial patterns as the fish are starting to key in on these more than the smaller hatch bugs. There is still some great fishing with caddis in the evenings and a couple PMDs flying around mid-day so make sure to still have some of these patterns to cast to those tricky risers. The nymphing has remained solid all over the river with scuds, midges, and worms ruling the fishes diet. Don’t forget about streamer fishing! Change colors until you can get the fish to commit. Always a great option on the overcast days or when the afternoon thunderstorms come through. That change in the weather can produce some great fishing with streamers! Water releases from the dam have been holding steady between 57 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Latest Flows

2200 – 2400 CFS.

Releases from Flaming Gorge Dam have been fluctuating daily between approximately 1,200 cfs to 2,200 cfs for power production. However, due to a fire occurring near Strawberry Reservoir, Western Area Power Administration has encountered an emergency condition in which a critical transmission line has been restricted since Thursday, August 8th. The transmission restriction has required Reclamation to reduce generation and release at Flaming Gorge Dam below previously scheduled levels in order to manage the situation. This emergency condition will likely continue for the next several days.

Fishing

Good

Current Hatches

Ants, Crickets, Hoppers (Terrestrials)

Midges, some Caddis, and some PMD’s

Best Techniques

Streamer fishing, Nymphing, and dry fly fishing

Flies

Streamers:  Articulated Goldie, Circus Peanut, Dungeon, Zonker, Wooly Bugger, Sculpin Leech, Cheech Leech.

Dries:

Chubby Chernobyl Ant 8-14

Para Cricket 10-12

Black or Cinnamon Ant 14-16

Last Chance Cripple 16-18

Elk Hair Caddis Tan 14

Morrish Hopper 12

Parahopper 10-12

Nymphs

16-20

Flashback Scud, Black Zebra Midge, Purple Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail, Gray Soft Hackle, San Juan Worm, Rainbow Warrior, Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, UV Midge

Best Time Of Day

8 AM – 8 PM

Middle Provo River Fishing Report 07/30/2018

Guide Dan Mcrudden and Client with a nice Provo River brown trout.

Location

Middle Provo River

Overview

The water is still high, but the fishing is good. I just spoke to a local fishing guru who said that it could be until mid-September when the flows drop to the 300 CFS mark. High water is better than low water, or no water… The river is still crossable in many places but make sure to use caution when stepping off the bank. A wading stick is never a bad option when the flows are a little high.

The dry fly fishing on the Middle has been consistent with Caddis coming off early in the mornings and PMDs starting around mid-morning. The classic evening caddis hatches on the Provo are well underway with some great dry fly fishing occurring right at dusk. Knowing how to recognize different patterns is key to success on the Middle when dry fly fishing right now. The ability to distinguish between different types of eating behavior on the surface is crucial in determining what fly to throw. If the fish are energetically splashing the water when taking bugs off the top, they are most likely eating caddis. If the fish are slowly sipping on the surface and not moving around too much in the water column, they are eating PMDs. Time on the water is very helpful in developing this skill, a guide is too. We have availability in August! We are more than happy to cater your guide day to improving your techniques and developing new ones. Hiring a guide is a great way to learn while also having a super productive day of fishing on the water!

Cripple is king when they are eating PMDs…

Nymph fishing remains productive on the Provo, as always. The fish are really keyed in on the PMDs throughout the day with the usual suspects producing as well (sow bugs, midges). It’s getting to the point where they are getting a little more educated resulting in the need to use lighter tippet and smaller flies. If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to go down to 6X and a size 22 midge. Some days those Provo River fish are pricks…

Click here to request your guide for this summer: https://www.troutbum2.com/guide-request/

Days are filling up quickly!

Latest Flows

Dam: 525 CFS

Charleston: 380 CFS

Fishing

Great

Current Hatches

PMDs and Caddis

Best Patterns

Nymphs 18-22

Sow Bug, Ray Charles, Zebra Midges in black or purple, Bling Midge in tan or gray, Cardinal Midge,WD40, prince nymph, birds nest, Splitcase PMD, Tungsten Teaser.

Dries 18-22

Last Chance Cripple PMD, Film Critic PMD, CDC PMD, Para Adams, Peacock Caddis, X Caddis, Cutter Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis.

Best Time Of Day

9 AM – 9 PM.

View archived provo river fishing reports here.

Lower Provo River Fishing Report 07/30/2018

Woman fly fishing the Provo River with Mt. Timpanogos in the background
Location

Lower Provo River

Overview

Flows are really high on the lower right now. With flows above 700 CFS, wade fishing becomes extremely difficult. If you are going to try it, I would stick to the usual suspects…sow bugs, midges, scuds. There might be some PMDs flying around but we haven’t had recent reports of any dry fly fishing on the lower. The “tuber hatch” is in full swing now which makes the river super tough to fish. I would only recommend going to fish the lower to people with some sort of raft of way to float down the river.

Recent Flows

750 CFS

Fishing

Marginal

Current Hatches

PMDs, Midges

Best Techniques

Nymphs: Size 18-22

Sow bugs, bling midge, disco midge, juju midge, krystal flash PMD, split case PMD, mayhem emerger, San Juan Worm, Birds Nest, Buckskin Caddis, Kryptonite Caddis

Dry flies: Size 18-24

PMDs, Trailing Shuck PMD, Winger PMD, CDC biot comparadun, Hanging Midge, Silvey’s midge, cluster Midge, Para Adams (small sizes), Peacock Caddis, Pearl Caddis

Streamers : Size 4-12

Zonker, wooly bugger, sculpzilla, sparkle minnow, baby sex-dungeon, slump buster,

Best Time Of Day

For streamers early and late in the day

6 AM – 9 AM

5 PM – Dark

View archived lower Provo fishing reports here.

Weber River Fishing Report 07/30/2018

Underwater view of angler holding Brown Trout

Location

Weber River

Overview

Fishing on the Weber remains solid with PMD hatches throughout the day. Most anglers have reported the hatch starting mid-morning and lasting throughout the day. Look for fishing rising in the faster riffle water and on the banks for these bugs. It is also terrestrial time on the Weber. The fish are just starting to look for these bugs so don’t be afraid to work the banks with an ant, beetle, hopper, etc… Remember that it is essential to not stand in one place when fishing terrestrials. Constantly be working the banks and moving from spot to spot.

While the caddis fishing hasn’t been as good as usual, we have had some reports of anglers doing well with nymph larva and pupa which is an indicator that the dry fly fishing could get really good at any time. Caddis fishing in the evenings on the Weber can be some of the best local fishing all summer so make sure to keep checking for these bugs consistently.

NEVER forget about streamers on the Weber…

Latest Flows

200 CFS below Rockport Reservoir

Fishing

Good/Great

Current Hatches

PMD’s

Dries:

  • Last Chance Cripple
  • Tan Elk Hair Caddis
  • CDC PMD

Nymphs:

  • Rainbow Tailwater Sow Bug
  • Buckskin Caddis
  • Flashback PMD Emerger

Best Techniques

Nymphs, streamers, and dry flies

Best Time Of Day

8 AM – Dark

View archived Weber river fishing reports here.

Middle Provo River Fishing Report 07/30/2018

Location

Middle Provo River

Overview

Fishing the Middle Provo has been great-granted you get good water.  The flows are still high(sub 1000cfs), but at least they are no longer running at 1700cfs.  Crossing will still be a challenge and is not recommended at the moment. That being said, our guides have been doing well nymphing with caddis, pmds, sows, worms, and of course-midges.  Even with the high flows we have been seeing a few fish eating PMD’s on the surface so if Dry flies are your top priority don’t rule out this awesome stretch of river.  As it is nearing the end of June, we should see some Green Drakes popping any day, but the hatch will likely be delayed due to the colder water and higher flows.  The Drakes generally start lower on the river near Deer Creek and make their way up stream day by day.  If you fish closer to Deer Creek, it is not a bad idea to have some Drake nymphs and Stonefly nymphs in your box, but dont fully count on it quite yet.

With the higher flows target the slower moving water and look for risers in the back eddies and soft “pillows” of water where the current rises to the top.  If you are nyphing, target the inside seams wherever you can find them as well as any run with a lot of structure and a reasonable rate of flow. In addition to that, pocket water fishing should produce with heavy dropper rigs and traditional nymph rigs.

Latest Flows

At the dam 900 CFS

River Road: 718 CFS

Charleston 811 CFS

Fishing

Good

Current Hatches

PMD, Caddis, Midges

Best Techniques

Dry Flies: Size 16-22

CDC midges, PMD winger, Last Chance Cripple, rusty spinner, comparadun, sparkle dun, EZ caddis, henry’s fork caddis

Nymphs: Size 18-22

Sow bugs, bling midge, disco midge, KF flasher, juju midge, zebra midge, barrs PMD emerger, magic fly, mayhem pmd, green caddis, birds nest, san juan worms(multiple colors) and its probably about time to start at least throwing green drake nymphs.

Streamers: Big and heavy-white, beige, olive

Best Time Of Day

9 AM – 6 PM

View archived provo river fishing reports here.