Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of January 11, 2021 Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6024.85 feet, which amounts to 84 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflows for the month of December is approximately 24,103 acre-feet (af), which is 69% of the average December 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 January, which is near +25% of the winter base flow.

The January final forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects is below average conditions. January, February, and March forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 30,000 af (74 percent of average), 33,000 af (74 percent of average) and 76,000 af (74 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 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 75 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 79 percent of normal.

There is some midge and some mayfly 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.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 2, 2020, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6487.64 feet, which amounts to 61 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled 32,400 acre-feet (af) or 77 percent of average. 

Fontenelle’s releases are currently set at 825 cfs. This release is scheduled to be maintained through the Fall/Winter operation period, which typically ends in March when ice on the Green River begins to thaw.

The December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February inflow volumes amount to 27,000 af (84 percent of average), 26,000 af (86 percent of average), and 24,000 af (87 percent of average), respectively. “

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 751 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 81 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 85 percent of normal.

As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see some midge activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the winter you can still have some fantastic streamer fishing below Fontenelle as well. Look for fish in the slower, deeper water. Black, gray, olive, and ginger are my go to winter colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.

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.