NORTHERN UTAH REPORTS
Updated: July 25th, 2024
By: Nick Teynor
Hello All,
In the immortal words of Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, it's "GAME ON"! The local Summer hatches of Caddis, Yellow Sally stones, leftover Green Drakes, and Pale Morning Dun mayflies are popping off in earnest, and all of the special regulation Cutthroat streams are open for the remainder of the year. If you're heading out, I'd recommend stopping by the shop to pick up the nymphs and dry fly patterns for the Pale Morning Dun (P.M.D.) mayflies, Golden and Yellow Stoneflies, and Caddis. We just got our Summer shipment of flies in, so we'll have you covered for what you'll need to fish Utah and across the west.
Summer is here, and that means there will be more and more river traffic out there. 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 320 CFS out of Jordanelle Reservoir, and 144 CFS at River Road. At these flows the fish will be spread out and 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. Fishing with P.M.D. dries and nymphs (#16-#18), Drake dries and nymphs (#12), Caddis dries and nymphs (#12-#16), Stonefly dries and nymphs(#10-#16), Midge nymphs (#18-#22), attractor dries and nymphs, or streamers could potentially move fish. All our Summer hatches are popping off in earnest, and the fish are looking up and willing to take a dry fly. If there is nothing obvious hatching, nor fish rising consistently, fishing a caddis or stonefly dry along the rivers edges and softer water, and/or dropping a PMD nymph 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 when the hatches slow down, and in the mornings and evenings.
Lower Provo:
The Lower's flow is currently 515 CFS out of Deer Creek. At these flows the fish will be in tight to the banks, and in softer and slower currents. River structure such as rocks, log jams, foam and bubble lines, etc.- are what I'd focus on fishing. Fishing with Caddis dries and nymphs, (#12-#16), P.M.D. dries and nymphs (#16-#18), Stonefly dries and nymphs (#12-#16), Midge nymphs, attractor dries and nymphs, Sow Bugs, or streamers could potentially move fish. Swinging a Soft Hackle on a slow controlled swing down-and across 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 190 CFS at Wanship, and 229 CFS at Coalville. This flow is very fishable for the Middle Weber, and I'd come prepared with Pale Morning Dun (P.M.D.) mayfly dries and nymphs (#16), Yellow Stonefly dries and nymphs (#12-#16), and nymphs such as sow bugs, Hare's Ears, Copper Johns, etc. Flows out of Echo Reservoir to Henefer are now currently at 535 CFS, which is also a fishable flow for this stretch of river, but a very pushy one, and not something I would attempt to cross. Flies I'd recommend for the lower Weber area are virtually identical to the Middle Weber. 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 1,700 CFS from roughly 9 AM - 7 PM. Time to go fish!!! If you're heading to the Green I'd make sure to bring Mormon Crickets (#2-#6), Black Flying Ant patterns (#14-#18), Yellow Sally dries and nymphs (#14-#16), attractor dry fly patterns like a Para. Cricket (#14-#16), Peacock PMX (#14-#16), Parachute Adams (#12-#20), Purple Rooster/Purple Hazes (#14-#18), and Chubby Chernobyls in Purple, Gold, and Peacock (#10-#16). There have been Pale Morning Dun mayflies popping off (#16-#18), and tan and olive Caddis (#14-#16) around too, so I'd recommend you plan accordingly for those bugs. Nymphing and/or Dry-Dropper fishing with attractor nymphs like "Frenchies", Perdigons, olive or tan scuds, 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:
If you want to chase after some sunfish, bass, or carp on a fly rod, Summer is the time to do so. The fish will look to hang around in the shallows in the mornings and evenings, and fishing from the shore can be good. Fishing for trout in our local lakes and reservoirs continues to be good, but as things heat up, the better fishing will be in the mornings, evenings, and on cloudy days. Taking a drive to check out the Uinta reservoirs wouldn't be a bad idea, or head south to see what streams, lakes, and reservoirs are fishing in Southern Utah. It's always a good idea to be willing to explore and get creative with your fishing options, and after this week, all of the higher elevations creeks and streams should be in prime shape to fish.
Fishing Tip(s):
To grossly summarize what hatches to be prepared to fish based on the weather conditions, I adhere to the following: Cloudy, cooler days usually lead to really good mayfly hatches, while sunny and warm days usually cause mayflies to hatch a little earlier or later in the day. Caddis and Stoneflies are good options to fish during the warmer, sunny parts of the day, but Caddis will hatch later in the day on those hot days, and come back earlier in the morning to lay their eggs. 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:
Purple Rooster (#14-#18)
Para. Adams (#12-#18, #22-#26)
Green Drake Cripple (#12)
Green Drake Dun (#12)
PMD Cripple (#16-#18)
PMD Dun (#16-#18)
Adult Golden Stonefly (#10-#12)
Yellow Sally/Isoperla Stonefly (#12-#16)
Golden, Purple, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl (#12-#14)
Missing Links in Tan (#14), Olive (#14-#16), PMD (#16-#18)
Caddis Emerger/Cripples: Tan (#12-#16), Olive (#16-#18)
Caddis Adults: Tan (#12-#16), Olive (#16-#18)
Buckskin Nymph (#20-#22)
Zebra Midges (#16-#22)
Split Case PMD Nymph (#16-#18)
Barr's PMD Emerger (#16-#18)
Pheasant Tail Nymphs (#16-#20)
Hare's Ear Nymphs (#12-#18)
Cased / Un-Cased Caddis Larva (#16-#18)
Green Drake Nymph (#12)
Prince Nymphs (#12-#16)
Copper Johns (#12-#16)
BH 20 Incher (#12)
Blowtorch (#16)
Leeches (#8#-#10)
Sow Bugs (#16,#18)
Soft Hackle Sow Bugs (#16, #20)
San Juan Worms (#12-#16)