The winter flow pattern for the Green has begun. Releases from the dam will increase to 3,000 CFS at 7 AM, decrease to 1,100 CFS by 1 PM, increase again to 3,000 CFS at 7 PM, and then decrease to 1,100 CFS at 1 AM. Current water temperatures are around 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

What does this mean? Put on early, ride the wave, and throw streamers. Once the flow drops back down to 1,100 the fishing usually slows down as the fish are adjusting to the changing conditions. The rule I tend to follow when throwing streamers is bright days, bright colors, dark days, dark colors. I have been proven wrong on more than a few occasions with this mindset so don’t be afraid to change it up. Some of my favorite streamers in the winter are a gold woolly bugger, articulated goldie, the peanut envy in olive, ginger, or black, the dungeon in black, cream, natural, olive or white, or a black or white sculpzilla.

If you aren’t fishing streamers there still are some midge and baetis around. I usually like to target the picky fish feeding during this hatch with a dry dropper rig. If the fish are feeding higher up in the feeding lane or on the surface, use a smaller cluster midge to hold up either a zebra midge or a gray soft hackle. If the fish are deeper, use a chubby Chernobyl ant with a heavier and longer dropper to get down to them.

Nymphing throughout the winter will remain productive. Usually getting down deep with an egg pattern, San Juan worm, zebra midges, or scuds will do the trick throughout the next few months.

The spawn is starting to slow down, but be mindful of spawning activity and respect any redds that you see to protect the future generations of trout.