April is here, but it is still snowing. The Provo River Drainage is looking at a snowpack that is 144 percent of average. This is great news, given the past few years. Check the weather and layer accordingly. It could be 60 degrees or it could be 20 degrees on the river. On the Middle Provo, releases out of the Jordanelle Reservoir are at 143 CFS and the flows at Charleston are at 203 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 107 CFS. The river temperature is around 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

The midge hatch is still around, but not as intense as it was a couple of weeks ago. That’s okay though. The baetis are here. Mayflies love riffles so if you see any sign of baetis (bugs that look like sailboats on the water) you should get to a riffle tail out as soon as possible. In that water you can fish dry flies, swing soft hackles, or nymph.

Flies I like this time of year:

Dries: Cluster midge, Matt’s midge, CDC baetis dun, and Baetis cripple.

Nymphs: Juju Baetis, zebra midge, cardinal midge, and a sow bug.

If you are fishing streamers, I always go small on the Provo. Sculpzillas and Zonkers in white, black, or olive are my spring time favorites.