Provo River Fishing Report

Winter has made its way to the Provo River.

Dam releases below Jordanelle Reservoir are at 151.53 CFS. Flows in Charleston are at 164.12 CFS. Flows below Deer Creek Reservoir are at 97.5 CFS

Current snowpack in the Provo River Drainage is at 64 percent of normal.

When fishing the Provo River during the winter months look for fish in the slower, deeper runs. The best time to fish is during the warmest part of the day (10 AM to 2:30 PM). Depending on the day you can see decent midge activity and may find some rising fish.

Think small. Have a decent selection of small midges in the 20-26 size range. When nymphing, I like bling midges, cardinal midges, blood midges, WD 40’s, etc. Gray, brown, and red have been my go to colors. Expect very light takes when nymphing. For dry flies, I’ll use small mother shuckers, Matt’s midge, or a cluster midge all in that size 20-24 range.

Don’t be afraid to try streamers. Try slow stripping a sculpzilla or woolly bugger in some of the deeper holes. You might be rewarded with a substantial fish.

Provo 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/

Summit, Wasatch, and Utah County have all moved to the same Low Risk Guidelines that the Governor has put into effect.

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 1,000 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 969 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 809 CFS.  The entire Provo River is running pretty high so be mindful when wading if you choose to fish the Provo. River temperatures are currently around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 52 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours.

Look for midge and Baetis activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 5 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge and Baetis hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), Baetis nymphs (18-22), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker in gray or black (20-24) and some Baetis dry flies (18-22).

Provo 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.

Summit, Wasatch, and Utah County have all moved to the same Moderate Risk Guidelines that the Governor has put into effect.

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 327 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 251 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 663 CFS.  The Lower Provo River is running pretty high so be mindful when wading if you choose to fish the Lower. River temperatures are currently around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 69 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours.

Look for midge and Baetis activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 5 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge and Baetis hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), Baetis nymphs (18-22), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker in gray or black (20-24) and some Baetis dry flies (18-22).

Provo River Fishing Report

Due to COVID-19, Utahns are expected to stay home whenever possible. The directive includes specific instructions for all individuals, as well as high-risk individuals (60 years and older and those with serious underlying medical conditions), and children. The directives regarding hygiene, gatherings, travel, and outdoor recreation are effective immediately.

According to the State of Utah, traveling to engage in recreational and outdoor activities is considered essential travel, therefore I am updating our fishing reports. Wasatch County has issued the same stay at home order as the rest of the state, BUT recreational visitors may not come and recreate in Wasatch County, including for outdoor recreation and camping. This order is to remain in effect until April 14, 2020.

Releases from Jordanelle Reservoir are at 145 CFS. At Charleston the river is flowing at 167 CFS. Below Deer Creek Reservoir the flows are at 268 CFS.  FYI, the Provo River Water Users Association will be increasing flows from Deer Creek dam to test a new valve on the dam. Testing of the valve will begin on April 6 and last until April 12. Each morning, flows downstream of the dam will begin increasing slowly at 5% increments throughout each day and will not be increased more than 100 cfs (cubic feet per second) per hour. River flows are currently at around 250 cfs and will increase up to 850 cfs each afternoon. Please use caution during this period. River temperatures are currently around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowpack in the Provo River drainage is currently sitting at 103 percent of average.

Due to warming temperatures the Upper Provo and parts of the Middle and Lower Provo can turn cloudy with runoff throughout the late morning and into the afternoon hours.

Look for midge and Baetis activity during the middle of the day. Depending on the conditions and hatch that day, the dry fly fishing can be great between 9 AM and 5 PM. High pressure days or storm days have produced the best fishing. Days with a dropping barometric pressure have produced the most difficult fishing conditions. The nymphing has started to heat up considerably. When the midge and Baetis hatch goes off the fish will be very active. If there is no hatch, the streamer fishing can be decent this time of the year.

When fishing the Provo, have small sow bugs (18-20), bling midge (22-26), cardinal midge (22-26), zebra midge (18-22), buckskin caddis (18), prince nymph (18), Baetis nymphs (18-22), and pheasant tail (18-22). For dries, have a few small midges like the Mother Shucker in gray or black (20-24) and some Baetis dry flies (18-22).