NORTHERN UTAH REPORTS
Updated: October 20th, 2024
By: Nick Teynor
Hello All,
*FYI: The Utah DWR is going to be electro-shocking the Middle Provo in three different spots. The fish survey will take place from October 21st-October 23rd, and will start at Legacy Bridge on October 21st, 2400 North on October 22nd, and at/around the Cottonwood Bridge October 23rd. This will most likely affect the fish and fishing for a day or two, so I'd recommend avoiding these areas on these days if you're heading up to the Middle Provo.*
Fall fishing weather has finally arrived! There have been fish up and feeding on Midges, and the Fall Blue Wing Olive mayflies have begun popping off, especially when we have cloudy or cool conditions. With the cooler mornings and evenings of Fall, prospecting with streamers can move some good quality fish-especially if there are no insect hatches bringing fish to the surface. As always, in order to avoid bad river etiquette, it's important to know the basic ins an outs of how to interact with each other on the water. The folks over at Redington Fly Gear have a nice little video on the subject.
Check these gauges for updates on water levels!
1) Central Utah Water Conservancy District
Fishing Conditions Summary
Middle Provo:
As of today the Middle Provo is currently 160 CFS out of Jordanelle Reservoir, and 126 CFS at River Road. At these flows, and especially on sunny days the fish will want to be in the deeper, faster oxygenated water, and river structure such as rocks, log jams, foam and bubble lines, etc. is what I'd focus fishing around. As we get into the latter end of October you'll want to make sure you have your Blue Wing Olive nymphs, cripples, and dry flies with you (#20-#24), Midge nymphs and dries (#18-#24), October Caddis (#10-#14), Blue Wing and Midge Soft Hackles (#18-#22), and a variety of streamers can move fish during the low-light periods. If there is nothing obvious hatching nor fish rising consistently, fishing an October Caddis, or large Parachute Adams along the rivers edges and softer water, and/or dropping a small mayfly, midge, or attractor nymph off the the back would be a good idea. Swinging a Soft Hackle on a slow controlled swing down-and across has been effective prior to and after the daily Fall insect hatches, and fishing streamers in the mornings and evenings would also be good to try.
Lower Provo:
The Lower's flow is around 147 CFS out of Deer Creek. At these flows the fish will seek out deeper water to winter over in, and the weed growth from Summer will make fishing tricky until the colder water temps break up the weeds. River structure such as rocks, log jams, and foam / bubble lines are still what I'd focus on fishing. Blue Wing Olive mayflies (#20-#24) and midges (#20-#24) will definitely be of importance to both anglers and fish for the rest of the season. The weeds will make nymphing a challenge, and streamer fishing will continue to get better through the end of the month. Swinging a Soft Hackle on a slow, controlled, down-and across swing has been effective at times when there is no obvious signs of bugs hatching, and in the mornings and evenings.
Weber River:
The Weber River between Rockport and Echo reservoirs is now flowing at 170 CFS at Wanship, and 238 CFS at Coalville. This flow is a great Fall fishing flow for the Middle Weber, and I'd come prepared with small Blue Wing Olive nymphs and dries (#20-#22), Caddis nymphs and dries (#14-#18), Hoppers (#10-#16), and nymphs such as sow bugs, Hare's Ears, Copper Johns, etc. Flows out of Echo Reservoir to Henefer are now currently at 1.1 CFS, which is a not fishable flow. If there are no bugs around and no fish rising, and nymphing isn't your thing, don't be afraid to fish a streamer-especially during the early mornings and late evenings.
Green River Below Flaming Gorge:
As of right now, the flows on the Green below Flaming Gorge are flowing at/around 820 CFS - 1,900 CFS from roughly 7 AM - 10PM. If you're heading to the Green I'd make sure to bring attractor dry fly patterns like a Para. Cricket (#14-#16), Peacock PMX (#14-#16), Parachute Adams (#14-#22), Purple Rooster/Purple Hazes (#14-#18), and Chubby Chernobyl's in Purple (#12-#16). When we get some cloudy, cooler weather, the Fall Blue-Wing Olives (#18-#22) should become more important to both angler and fish. Dry-Dropper fishing with attractor nymphs like "Frenchies", Perdigons, olive or tan scuds, Blue Wing Olive nymphs (i.e. Juju Baetis, Barr's BWO Emergers, etc.) and a variety of sizes and colors of Zebra Midges can work well if there are no signs of fish feeding off of the surface. If it is super windy, cloudy, not much surface activity, etc.-fishing a streamer can be effective.
Other Waters:
With the nights getting cooler, especially in the high country, fish in the local lakes and reservoirs will start to hang around in the shallows in the mornings, cool afternoons and evenings, and fishing from the shore can be good. Taking a drive up to the Uinta Mountains to take in the fall colors, and get some fishing in before Winter shows up is still great option, and could result in seeing a few less people.
Fishing Tip(s):
Now that we're officially in Fall, the hatches we fish will be determined based on the weather conditions for that day. Cloudy, cooler days usually lead to really good mayfly hatches. Leftover terrestrials and caddis are good options to fish during the warmer, sunny parts of the day, and the October Caddis will be active throughout the heat of the day and into the evening. Leader(s) I'd recommend for fishing the local waters during this time of year are 7.5' 2X leaders and tippet for fishing streamers and big dry flies, 7.5'-9' 4X leaders for fishing dries, dry-droppers, light nymph rigs, and 4X-6X tippets. My choice of tippet off of my leader is based on whatever size of fly I need to throw. This simple leader/tippet system allows me to adjust to whatever fishing conditions I encounter, and simplify what I need to take with me fishing. The only other tips I can offer are the following: Be prepared for dynamic weather changes, check the river flows before you head out, and make sure you respect each others space when out on the water!!!
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Befus BWO Emerger (#22)
Turkey Baetis Cripple (#20-#22)
Vis-A-Dun BWO (#18-#22)
Winger BWO (#22-#24)
Purple Rooster / Purple Haze(#14-#18)
Para. Adams (#12-#18, #22-#26)
October Caddis Adults: Orange (#10-#14), Cinnamon (#10-#14)
Purple, Duracell, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl (#12-#14)
Buckskin Nymph (#20-#22)
Zebra Midges (#16-#22)
Juju Baetis (#20-#22)
Split Case BWO Nymph (#20-#22)
Barr's BWO Emerger (#18-#22)
Pheasant Tail Nymphs (#18-#22)
Hare's Ear Nymphs (#18)
Cased / Un-Cased Caddis Larva (#16-#18)
Prince Nymphs (#14-#18)
Copper John Midge (#22)
Blowtorch (#16)
Leeches (#8#-#12)
Olive and Rusty Sculpin Patterns (#6-#12)
Platte River Spider (#4)
Sow Bugs (#16#20)
Soft Hackle Sow Bugs (#16, #20)
San Juan Worms (#12-#16)