Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 3, 2020 Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6025.29 feet, which amounts to 85 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflows for the month of November is approximately 35,600 acre-feet (af), which is 70% of the average November unregulated inflow volume.

The winter base flow period started on December 1. Winter average daily releases will meet moderately dry hydrologic condition lower targets in Reach 2 (1,100 cfs to 1,500 cfs, includes flows from the Yampa River). The daily average release of 1,000 cfs is planned to be maintained through December, which is near +25% of the winter base flow.

The December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 28,000 af (80 percent of average), 34,000 af (84 percent of average) and 35,000 af (79 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

Current daytime releases out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir are at 917 CFS. In the evening flows are increased to 2,100 CFS around 7 PM and drawn back down to 917 CFS around 10 PM. River temperatures are approximately 40.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 81 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 85 percent of normal.

There is some midge activity, but winter on the Green is all about the streamer fishing. With the lower flows I have been using lighter sink tips or you can even get away with floating line. Black, gray, and ginger have been my go to colors lately. Winter streamer patterns that I like are the peanut envy, gonga, dungeons, and sculpzillas.

Green River Fishing Report

As of May 21, the Governor of the State of Utah has moved from the State’s risk management from the Moderate Risk Category of COVID-19 response to a Low Risk Category. There are still certain areas that are in the Moderate Risk Category. Please practice social distancing while recreating and traveling around outdoors. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utahs-health-guidance-system/

The Tri County Region has moved to the same Low Risk Guidelines that the Governor has put into effect.

The easiest way for me to describe the flow pattern is to just repost the Bureau of Reclamation’s notice:

“The Bureau of Reclamation will increase flows from Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River in Northern Utah beginning Tuesday, May 26. Higher release flows are based on current reservoir and river conditions, snowmelt projections, recent storm activity and current weather forecasts, as well as input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Area Power Administration and Flaming Gorge Working Group. Reclamation urges rafters, fishermen and anybody recreating or working along the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam to exercise increased caution as the river will run high, swift and cold—conditions that can quickly overcome even the strongest swimmer. 

Reclamation will increase flows gradually beginning on May 26 to reach an initial peak on May 27 of approximately 8,100 cubic feet per second (4,600 cfs through its hydroelectric powerplant, which will allow full capacity power generation at about 150 megawatts, and another 3,500 cfs through the dam’s two bypass tubes). Flows will most likely be taken down to 6,600 (4,600 cfs powerplant capacity and 2,000 cfs partial bypass) on May 28 and continue to until the next peak later the following week. Based on current weather forecasts, flows may increase an additional 1,000 cfs on Tuesday, June 2, to a peak flow of 7,600 cfs. 

The planned flow ramp-up schedule is as follows (all times are in Mountain Daylight Time): 

• Tuesday, May 26, at 4:00 pm – Flows will begin increasing from 950 cfs and should reach full powerplant capacity of 4,600 cfs at or around 10:00 pm. 

• Wednesday, May 27, at 8:00 am – Bypass tube opens and flows gradually rise to reach approximately 8,100 cfs at or around 2:00 pm. 

• Thursday, May 28, at 8:00 am – Bypass tube opens and flows gradually reduced to reach approximately 6,600 cfs at or around 10:00 am. 

• Tuesday, June 2, at 8:00 am – Second bypass tube opens and flows gradually rise to reach approximately 7,600 cfs at or around 10:00 am. 

This release plan is subject to change depending on evolving forecasts. 

Combined with forecasted flows from the Yampa River, which is unregulated and joins the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam in Dinosaur National Monument, flows near Jensen, Utah, are expected to be at or below 18,600 cfs. Flood stage capacity at Jensen is approximately 24,000 cfs. Reclamation will closely monitor actual and forecast flows and will reduce Flaming Gorge Dam release rates if the Yampa River is projected to considerably exceed current forecasts. 

Those recreating on, working around or traveling to the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam should monitor river conditions by checking Reclamation’s website (https://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/fgd.html) and all posted signs at river access points.”

There are quite a few cicadas on the A and B sections of the river. Within a couple of days some fish will hone in on them again. However, fishing San Juan worms and scuds in the slower water will be the best bet for catching fish until the flows come back down.

Green River Fishing Report

As of May 1, the Governor of the State of Utah has moved from the State’s risk management from the High Risk Category of COVID-19 response to a Moderate Risk Category. There are still A LOT of restrictions in place, but we are allowed to move about a little bit more freely. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus-download.utah.gov/Health/Phased%20Health%20Guidelines%20V4.0.1.pdf

Certain areas are on a stricter lockdown than others and out of state travel is strongly discouraged.

The Tri County Region has moved to the same Moderate Risk Guidelines that the Governor has put into effect.

Spring is here on the Green River in Utah. We are seeing highs in the 60’s and low 70’s with the occasional Spring storm passing through. Snowpack is currently sitting at 104 percent of average in the Upper Green River drainage and 93 percent of average in the Lower Green River drainage. The release out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir is currently at 950 CFS. The water currently being released from the dam is around 42.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lower flows have made the fish suspend and look towards Baetis and midges on the surface. Look for fish to be rising in the slower seams and eddies. There has been a steady midge hatch everyday. On cloudy days the Baetis hatch has been very thick. My go to dry flies have been a Trailing Shuck Baetis and a Cluster Midge. For nymphs this time of the year, you will want to have small gray scuds (18-20), small gray and brown WD 40’s (20-24), gray soft hackle (18-20), zebra midge (18-20), Frenchie (16), Baetis nymphs (16-18), Prince Nymph (16) and a variety of San Juan Worms from Secret Riffle down.

With the warming temperatures and low flows, Red Creek has been running off color. The streamer bite is okay below Red Creek, but river clarity is not very ideal.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

The following is copied from https://www.sweetwaternow.com/no-fishing-for-non-residents-in-wyoming-until-may-8/

“The sale of non-resident daily and five-day fishing licenses were suspended a few weeks ago, and that suspension will be extended through May 8.

The suspension of sale is being done to align with Governor Mark Gordon’s directive to have non-resident visitors self quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state through May 8.

Brian Nesvik, Wyoming Game and Fish Director, said the suspension of the sale of these licenses is intended to protect the health of Wyoming residents. With non-residents coming into the state, they present the risk of bringing the COVID-19 Coronavirus with them.

On May 8, the Wyoming Game and Fish plans to resume the sale of the non-resident fishing licenses immediately.”

I will update my fishing reports accordingly once this restriction has been lifted.