Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of March 7, 2022, Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6018.03 feet, which amounts to 78 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of February is approximately 30,000 acre-feet (af), which is 66 percent of the average February unregulated inflow volume.

The winter base flow period ended on February 28, a +/-25 percent base flow period. The daily average release of approximately 850 cfs is planned to be maintained through March.

The March forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects below average conditions. March, April, and May forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 75,000 af (71 percent of average), 85,000 af (68 percent of average), and 125,000 af (50 percent of average), respectively.

The March water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 540,000 acre-feet (56% of average). Current snowpack is 80% of median for the Upper Green Basin.”

What this means:

Current daytime releases out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir are at 867 CFS. River temperatures are approximately 38.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 79 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 87 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 a 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 March 6, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6478.84 feet, which amounts to 46 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of February totaled 23,000 acre-feet (af) or 80 percent of average. 

Fontenelle’s releases will be maintained at 825 cfs through the winter base flow period. These releases will be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.   

The March final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. March, April, and May inflow volumes amount to 40,000 af (70 percent of average), 55,000 af (65 percent of average), and 95,000 af (54 percent of average), respectively. For Water Year 2022, the unregulated inflow is forecasted to be 726,000 af or 68% of average..”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 787 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 79 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 87 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 February 4, 2022, Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6017.75 feet, which amounts to 77 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of January is approximately 33,000 acre-feet (af), which is 82 percent of the average January unregulated inflow volume.

The winter base flow period started on December 1, a +/-25 percent base flow period. Winter average daily releases are planned to meet dry hydrologic condition targets in Reach 2 (900 cfs to 1,100 cfs includes flows from the Yampa River). The daily average release of approximately 850 cfs is planned to be maintained through February.

The February forecast for unregulated inflows into Flaming Gorge for the next three months projects below average conditions. February, March, and April forecasted unregulated inflow volumes amount to 31,000 af (68 percent of average), 77,000 af (73 percent of average), and 95,000 af (76 percent of average), respectively..”

What this means:

Current daytime releases out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir are at 867 CFS. River temperatures are approximately 38.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 83 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 88 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 a 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 February 2, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6483.59 feet, which amounts to 53 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of January totaled 29,000 acre-feet (af) or 95 percent of average. 

Fontenelle’s releases will be maintained at 825 cfs through the winter base flow period. These releases will be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.   

The February final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. February, March, and April inflow volumes amount to 22,000 af (77 percent of average), 40,000 af (70 percent of average), and 60,000 af (71 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 787 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 83 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 88 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.