Green River Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 7, 2022, Flaming Gorge Reservoir pool elevation is 6009.87 feet, which amounts to 70 percent of live storage capacity. Unregulated inflow volume for the month of November is approximately 40,000 acre-feet (af), which is 80 percent of the average November unregulated inflow volume. The current average daily release is 1,760 cfs.

Pursuant to the 2022 Plan, which was just approved by the Upper Division States, the Upper Colorado River Commission, and the Department of the Interior, an additional 500 thousand acre-feet (kaf) will be delivered from Flaming Gorge Reservoir from May 2022 through April 2023 to Lake Powell. This volume will be added to the spring periods by increasing the Larval Trigger Study Plan (LTSP) releases to 8600 cfs for 7 days, a 3-day smallmouth bass flow spike (mid-late July, possibly earlier), as well as the summer-winter base flow period. Under a Drought Contingency Plan adopted in 2022, the total release volume to date is ~310 kaf (12/7). The total release volume under this same plan in WY2022 is 194 kaf.

The observed April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 552,000 acre-feet (57 percent of average), a moderately dry hydrologic classification. Due to spring flows being greater than 14,000 cfs for more than 4 days in Reach 2, per the 2022 Plan, an average hydrologic operation was conducted for summer, autumn, and winter base flow.

The December 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 (85 percent of average), 34,000 af (84 percent of average), and 35,000 af (77 percent of average), respectively.”

What this means:

The Bureau of Reclamation is currently operating a double peak flow throughout the day. The flow is fluctuating between 1,200 CFS and 3,000 CFS. River temperatures are approximately 41.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Current snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is sitting at 98 percent of normal. Current snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is sitting at 141 percent of normal.

You might see some midge activity at some point in the day, but Winter on the Green is all about the streamer game especially with the double peak in flows. The streamer bite can be fantastic while the flows are up. Depending on the day, colors will change. Generally speaking on dark or cloudy days throw dark colors and bright and sunny days throw bright colors.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of December 4, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6490.26 feet, which amounts to 66 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of November totaled approximately 33,250 acre-feet (af) or 80 percent of average.

Winter release has been set at 950 cfs to meet spring elevation targets and are forecasted to remain at this level through winter, subject to hydrology. The winter release is planned to be maintained until March or April when the ice along the Green River begins to melt.

The December final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. December, January, and February Most Probable inflow volumes amount to 27,000 af (84 percent of average), 25,000 af (83 percent of average), and 24,000 af (86 percent of average) respectively.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 973 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 98 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 141 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 spring colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.

Fishing is closed from the Dam to the cable above Weeping Rock Campground until January 1, 2023.

Green River Fishing Report

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.

Southwest Wyoming Fishing Report

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“As of April 5, 2022, the Fontenelle Reservoir pool elevation is 6479.32 feet, which amounts to 46 percent of live storage capacity. Inflows for the month of March totaled 46,000 acre-feet (af) or 81 percent of average. 

Fontenelle’s releases are currently maintained at 825 cfs   

The April final forecast for unregulated inflows into Fontenelle for the next three months projects below average conditions. April, May, and June inflow volumes amount to 70,000 af (83 percent of average), 95,000 af (54 percent of average), and 190,000 af (62 percent of average), respectively. The April-July 2022 unregulated inflow is forecasted to be 435,000 af or 59% of average.”

What this means:

Releases from Fontenelle Reservoir are currently at 825 CFS. Snowpack in the Upper Green River Drainage is currently at 72 percent of normal. Snowpack in the Lower Green River Drainage is currently at 76 percent of normal.

As with the Green below Flaming Gorge you will see midge and some baetis activity during the day. If you are nymphing plan on having a variety of scuds, midges, baetis, and blood midges. Although not as productive as the streamer bite is on the Utah Green in the Spring, 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 spring colors. Some of my favorite patterns are the peanut envy, dungeon, sculpin leech, and the sculpzilla.