2023 Green River Fly Fishing Reports
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January 17th, 2023
The flows on the Green River are currently fluctuating between 1,200cfs and 2,850 cfs daily. Please be careful when wade fishing! The streamer action on the Green River has been pretty good on all 3 river sections. Retrieve your streamers slowly and cover lots of water to get the most action. Due to the inconsistent flow schedule, the midge hatch has been sparse and the dry fly fishing very spotty. The midges tend to be thicker on the upper stretches of the river. Calm days will fish best on the dry flies - if you find trout rising stay there as you may not find other fish looking up. For nymph fishing, focus on the middle and tail-outs of runs at about 9 feet deep. An orange scud is a solid fly choice with the flows changing daily.
Current snow pack for the Green River is at about 112% of normal in the upper Green River Drainage and 162% of normal in the lower valley. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is at about 69% capacity. While the snowpack currently looks great we are sending twice as much out as is coming in to put a Band-Aid on Lake Powell - Pray for more snow!
1,760 CFS average
1,200 - 2,850 daily
CLEAR - can change daily
Fluctuating Flows
A Section: The lower half of A has been pretty consistent with streamers. The Midge hatch begins in the mornings around 10am. On calm days there are pods of trout up on these tiny bugs. The fish are holding in their winter runs, nymph rigs around 9 feet deep have been best. The strikes are very subtle, so swing on any movement.
B Section: Nymph rigs and streamers have been the most effective method on the B Section. Commit to streamers on lower B.
C Section: The action has been decent on streamers. Fish dark flies on dark days and tan, ginger or white on bright days. Dry fly action is little to none. It is a sin to nymph on the C Section and you will receive years of bad fishing Karma for doing so.
Hatches: Midges
Dry Flies
Calm days have been best for small dry fly fishing. 6x tippet
Haslam's Midge Adult #22
Midge Cluster #18-20
Parachute Adams #22-24
Parachute Ant #16-22 black
Triple Double #14-18 purple, black
Streamers
Dark day dark fly. Bright day, bright fly. Retrieval speed - slow. 0X tippet
El Sculpito tan
Cheech Leech - articulated all colors
Complex Twist Bugger - all colors
Galloup's Dungeon - articulated all colors
Nymphs
There are a large variety of nymphs for the fish to choose from. Use 5x or 6x tippet
Grey Soft Hackle #22
Tungsten Zebra Midge #16-20 brown, wine, purple, black
Pheasant Tail #18 -22
Scuds #20-22 orange, grey, olive
Black Beauty #20-24
Yong Special #24
For the most recent updates please follow us on Facebook and Instagram . We are happy to answer any questions about the river and can be texted at 801-885-0573. Thanks!
February 10th, 2023
The flows on the Green River are fluctuating twice daily. The streamer bite has been good with warmer days typically seeing the best action. Sink tips and slow retrieves are recommended. The midge hatch is still unpredictable and inconsistent with calm weather a must for top action. Be sure to have a few size 16 BWO dries with you in case you are fortunate enough to see a few naturals. Nymph fishing has been decent - focus on the middle and tail-outs of runs (winter holding water) at about 9 feet deep, when you find active fish keep working them. The strikes will be subtle so swing on anything.
Current snow pack for the Green River is at about 100% of normal in the upper Green River basin and 134% of normal in the lower basin. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is at about 68% capacity. We need as much moisture as possible - Pray for more snow!
1,780 CFS average
1,110 - 2,850 fluctuations
CLEAR - can change daily
Fluctuating Flows
A Section: The lower half of A has been pretty consistent with streamers. The Midge hatch begins in the mornings around 10am. On calm days you might find pods of trout up on these tiny bugs. The fish are holding in their winter runs, nymph rigs around 9 feet deep have been best. The strikes are very subtle, so swing on any movement.
B Section: Nymph rigs and streamers have been the most effective method on the B Section. Commit to streamers on lower B.
C Section: The action has been decent on streamers. Fish dark flies on dark days and tan, ginger or white on bright days. Dry fly action is little to none. It is a sin to nymph on the C Section and you will receive years of bad fishing Karma for doing so.
Hatches: Midges
Dry Flies
Calm days have been best for small dry fly fishing. 6x tippet
Haslam's Midge Adult #22
Midge Cluster #18-20
Parachute Adams #22-24
Parachute Ant #16-22 black
Triple Double #14-18 purple, black
Streamers
Dark day dark fly. Bright day, bright fly. Retrieval speed - slow. 0X tippet
El Sculpito tan
Cheech Leech - articulated all colors
Complex Twist Bugger - all colors
Galloup's Dungeon - articulated all colors
Nymphs
There are a large variety of nymphs for the fish to choose from. Use 5x or 6x tippet
Grey Soft Hackle #22
Tungsten Zebra Midge #16-20 brown, wine, purple, black
Pheasant Tail #18 -22
Scuds #20-22 grey, olive
Black Beauty #20-24
Yong Special #24
For the most recent updates please follow us on Facebook and Instagram . We are happy to answer any questions about the river and can be texted at 801-885-0573. Thanks!
March 1st, 2023
Just announced - Flaming Gorge Reservoir will end the extra water releases to Lake Powell. This is amazing news for the long term future of the Green River Fishery and Flaming Gorge Reservoir!
The flows will be dropping to a single peak release averaging 1,430cfs. Currently the reservoir is at 66% capacity. Historically it is around 80% this time of year. Hopefully the solid snowpack in Utah and Southern Wyoming will help fill her back up.
Flows dropping to 925cfs on March 16th
The fishing has been good with streamers and the new flow release schedule should improve the dry fly and nymph fishing. We will likely start to see a few scattered Blue Wing Olives (not the peak of the hatch) with the bugs ramping up as the water temperatures increase. Midge action will likely increase as well.
1,175 CFS average
Daily Fluctuations
CLEAR - can change daily
Fluctuating Flows
A Section: With the new flow schedule the fishing should start to be more consistent. The fish will be able to hold in runs and be more comfortable in their winter lies. The water is still cold so strikes will be subtle.
B Section: Nymph rigs at about 9 feet deep and streamers on upper B - commit to streamers on lower B.
C Section: The action has been decent on streamers. Fish dark flies on dark days and tan, ginger or white on bright days. Dry fly action is little to none. Dry dropper will produce some nice fish.
Hatches: Midges, a few BWO's
Dry Flies
Calm days have been best for small dry fly fishing. 6x tippet
Haslam's Midge Adult #22
Midge Cluster #18-20
Parachute Adams #22-24
Parachute Ant #16-22 black
Triple Double #14-18 purple, black
Streamers
Dark day dark fly. Bright day, bright fly. Retrieval speed - slow. 0X tippet
El Sculpito tan
Cheech Leech - articulated all colors
Complex Twist Bugger - all colors
Galloup's Dungeon - articulated all colors
Nymphs
There are a large variety of nymphs for the fish to choose from. Use 5x or 6x tippet
Grey Soft Hackle #22
Tungsten Zebra Midge #16-20 brown, wine, purple, black
Pheasant Tail #18 -22
Scuds #20-22 grey, olive
Black Beauty #20-24
Yong Special #24
For the most recent updates please follow us on Facebook and Instagram . We are happy to answer any questions about the river and can be texted at 801-885-0573. Thanks!
April 1st, 2023
The snowpack in the Green River Basin in Wyoming is currently at about 120% of normal with more snow on the way! This snowpack coupled with 160% of normal snowpack in the Eastern Uinta Mountains in Utah should go a long ways toward filling Flaming Gorge Reservoir back up! We are hoping for summer flows of 1,200cfs which would be within the ideal range for the Green River and still allow the reservoir to retain water for the future. Currently the Green River is running at minimum flows of 800cfs (it's been even lower over the past few days for dam maintenance).
The fishing has been good with nymphs and streamers. After such a cold and wet winter it will likely be awhile until we get warmer water temperatures in the river. This cold, low water may delay the peak of the Blue Wing Olive Hatch, but that is just an educated guess.
800 CFS- Stable
CLEAR - can change daily
Low Flows until simulated runoff likely in late May
A Section: We should start to see more BWO action as the air temps warm up. Nymphing and streamer fishing have been consistent with dry fly opportunities on calm warmer days.
B Section: Nymph rigs at about 9 feet deep and streamers have been great on upper B - commit to streamers on lower B.
C Section: With ample snow ready to melt, and low flows, we anticipate the lower river will be muddy for much of the Spring.
Hatches: Midges, a few BWO's
Dry Flies
Calm days have been best for small dry fly fishing. 6x tippet
Haslam's Midge Adult #22
Midge Cluster #18-20
Parachute Ant #16-22 black
Triple Double #14-18 purple, black
Streamers
Dark day dark fly. Bright day, bright fly. Retrieval speed - slow. 0X tippet
El Sculpito tan
Cheech Leech - articulated all colors
Complex Twist Bugger - all colors
Galloup's Dungeon - articulated all colors
Nymphs
There are a large variety of nymphs for the fish to choose from. Use 5x or 6x tippet
Grey Soft Hackle #22
Tungsten Zebra Midge #16-20 brown, wine, purple, black
Pheasant Tail #18 -22
Scuds #20-22 grey, olive
Black Beauty #20-24
Yong Special #24
For the most recent updates please follow us on Facebook and Instagram . We are happy to answer any questions about the river and can be texted at 801-885-0573. Thanks!
April 25th, 2023
The snowpack from Wyoming that feeds Flaming Gorge Reservoir has recently increased. We are now at 127 % in the upper valley and 171% in the lower valley. Utah's snowpack is also at over 200% of normal. The water managers have wisely decided to fill Flaming Gorge back up and we are currently at base flows of 800cfs till high water sometime in late May. Hopefully this will make up for most of the water that was sent to Lake Powell last season.
The water in the Green River is about 3 degrees colder than normal and the fishing is about 3 degrees slower than normal as well. We are still catching plenty of fish, it's just not quite as easy as most years at this time of the season. The fish are hunkered down most mornings in their winter lies. The BWO hatch is going strong and we have had great hatches the past 2 days. There are also tons of midges in the mornings as well. Peak fishing has been from 1-4 pm. With warmer temps on the way, we will hopefully start to defrost and the fishing will get even better.
800 CFS- Stable
Dirty - can change daily
Low Flows until simulated runoff likely in late May
May 7th, 2023
With all of the snow still on the hillsides, we have been very fortunate to have slowly warmed up this Spring. Most of the small tributaries in the area are running high and blowing off color water into the crystal clear Green River staining her waters. The Green River is clear for the top 1.5 miles below the Dam, then gets a little dirty from Pipe Creek. Gorge Creek (just above Little Hole) and Jackson Creek ( 2 miles down the B Section) are both pumping in dirty water as well. Red Creek is running solid coffee color and the lower river is very dirty. The water is still very cold, 39 degrees, but fish are still eating. Brightly colored San Juan Worms and other attractors have helped get the trouts attention - especially on the B Section.
The water in the Green River is about 5 degrees colder than normal and the fishing is about 5 degrees slower than normal as well. We are still catching plenty of fish, it's just not quite as easy as most years at this time of the season. The fish are hunkered down most mornings in their winter lies. The BWO hatch is going strong and we have had great hatches the past weeks. There are also tons of midges in the mornings as well. Peak fishing has been from 1-4 pm. Everything is delayed a bit this season and the ground temps need to warm up a bunch before we have a chance at seeing cicadas. The river could definitely use a high water flush which will likely happen in late May. We will keep everyone post as information becomes available.
800 CFS- Stable
Dirty - can change daily
Low Flows until simulated runoff likely in late May
A Section: Thick Midge hatches in the am, with BWO's showing up around 1pm. Nymph fishing is good out there, with dry fly opportunities when the bugs are out and wind is down.
B Section: Nymph rigs at about 9 feet deep have been great on upper B. Lower B is very dirty most days
C Section: Off color to un-fishable, depending on the recent weather.
Hatches: Thick Midges & BWO's
Dry Flies
Calm days have been best for small dry fly fishing. 5-6x tippet
Brook's Sprout Baetis #18
Haslam's Midge Adult #22
Midge Cluster #18-20
Griffiths Gnat #20
Parachute Adams #18-20
Parachute Ant #16-22 black
Bunny Midge #20-22
Triple Double #14-18 purple, black
Streamers
Dark day dark fly. Bright day, bright fly. Retrieval speed - slow. 0X tippet
Sloppy Seconds Tan
El Sculpito tan
Mena's Cousin It Jig Streamer
Cheech Leech - articulated all colors
Complex Twist Bugger - all colors
Galloup's Dungeon - articulated all colors
Nymphs
There are a large variety of nymphs for the fish to choose from. Use 5x tippet
Grey Soft Hackle #22
Neon Nightmare orange #8
Tungsten Zebra Midge #16-20 brown, wine, purple, black
Pheasant Tail #18 -22
Scuds #20-22 grey, olive
For the most recent updates please follow us on Facebook and Instagram . We are happy to answer any questions about the river and can be texted at 801-885-0573. Thanks!
June 1st, 2023
Green River Flows are going up about an inch today from 800cfs to 900cfs. No word yet on the bigger flush timeline. We will do our best to keep everyone posted as information becomes available. Flaming Gorge Reservoir has risen about 10 feet in the past month, but there is still plenty of room for all of the high flows pouring in. The Yampa River (a Green River Tributary) is raging right now, so the Bureau of Reclamation will likely wait until those flows subside before raising the Green River flows.
The fishing on the Green River is average right now (below average for this time of year). Average fishing on the Green River still provides lots of action. The water temps are still colder than normal - 43 degrees out of the dam. There are BWO's on cooler / wet days and the fish are starting to eat some terrestrial bugs as well. The river is fishable on the lower B and C Section with visibility varying between 2- 4 feet. The upper 11 miles below the dam are to slightly slightly off color. There have been a few cicada sightings but no hatch yet. Lots of Caddis, PMD and Yellow Sally Stonefly nymphs under the rocks - those hatches will likely occur after high water.
900 CFS- Stable
Dirty - changes daily
Low Flows until simulated runoff
A Section: BWO's showing up around 1pm on wet or cloudy days. Nymph fishing is good out there, with terrestrial dry fly opportunities when the sun is out. Most anglers are nymph fishing.
B Section: Nymph rigs at about 9 feet deep have been consistent on upper B. Lower B is dirty but fishable with dry dropper or streamers
C Section: Fishing below average - varies day to day
Hatches: Some BWO's, and some terrestrials
Dry Flies
Calm days have been best for small dry fly fishing. 5-6x tippet
Brook's Sprout Baetis #18
Parachute Cricket #10
Lovejoy Cicada #10
Parachute Adams #18-20
Parachute Ant #16-22 black
Triple Double #14-18 purple, black
Streamers
Dark day dark fly. Bright day, bright fly. Retrieval speed - slow. 0X tippet
Sloppy Seconds Tan
El Sculpito tan
Mena's Cousin It Jig Streamer
Cheech Leech - articulated all colors
Complex Twist Bugger - all colors
Galloup's Dungeon - articulated all colors
Nymphs
There are a large variety of nymphs for the fish to choose from. Use 5x tippet
Emerger Wet BWO #18-20
Grey Soft Hackle #22
Neon Nightmare orange #8
Tungsten Zebra Midge #16-20 brown, wine, purple, black
Pheasant Tail #18 -22
Scuds #20-22 grey, olive
For the most recent updates please follow us on Facebook and Instagram . We are happy to answer any questions about the river and can be texted at 801-885-0573. Thanks!
