From the Bureau of Reclamation:
“As of April 5, 2022, Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6018.73 feet, which amounts to 78 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of March is approximately 75,000 acre-feet (af), which is 71 percent of the average March unregulated inflow volume. The daily average release of approximately 850 cfs is planned to be maintained through April.
The April forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects below average conditions. April, May, and July forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 105,000 af (84 percent of average), 120,000 af (48 percent of average), and 205,000 af (53 percent of average), respectively.
The April water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 520,000 acre-feet (54% of average). Current snowpack is 73% of median for the Upper Green Basin.”
What this means:
Current daytime releases out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir are at 888 CFS. River temperatures are approximately 40.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 72 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 76 percent of normal.
Even though we have been seeing some snow the past few days, springtime hatches and conditions have started to show up on the Green River. Early in the morning and in the evening there is a decent midge hatch. Around 11:30 the baetis start to move subsurface and begin to hatch soon afterwards. In the morning, look for fish in the deeper, slower water like you would during the winter. Once the baetis start to show up, look for fish in the heads of pools, shallow riffles, and sipping in the back eddies. Depending on the day, Red Creek might be running dirty due to fresh rain or runoff so be mindful of that if you are planning on fishing the lower river.
Fish will still hone in on streamers early in the morning or later in the day, but during the baetis hatch the fish will be heavily keyed in on them.
While nymphing, I have been fishing various zebra midges in the 18-22 size range and smaller trailing shuck midges in the 22-24 size range if the fish are super techy in the morning. Once the baetis start to move any size 16-18 baetis pattern will work. For dries, I have been fishing a size 18 crippled blue wing pattern. If there are still some winter stones on the water, fish will eat a larger cricket in the fast water. While streamer fishing, my go to spring colors are olive and copper, ginger, and black and purple if the water is off color.