NORTHERN UTAH REPORTS
Updated: May 4th, 2025
By: Nick Teynor
*FLOW UPDATE: The Lower Provo jumped from 370 CFS to 430 CFS over the weekend according to the CUWCD gauge. This may put the fishing off for a moment, but once the fish and bugs adjust, it will still be worth fishing. The Upper Provo (above Jordanelle) is flowing at 921 CFS, which, means Spring run-off has started. It's getting to that time where flows will start to bump on all of our local creeks and rivers, so checking the river gauges before heading out can save you time and gas money!*
*FYI: Rainbows and Cutthroat will be starting to get the spawning itch here soon, so it's still important to be aware of where we are fishing and stepping so we don't crush their eggs. If you're not sure what a spawning redd is, and why it's important to leave them be, we've written articles on why it's important to leave any spawning trout alone, which you can read here. The folks over at Redington also made a little video on the why leaving spawning trout alone is so important to the long-term health of any fishery. You can view that here.*
Hello All,
May the 4th be with you! The local Blue Wing Olive mayflies are still hatching well on cloudy days, Skwala Stoneflies are buzzing aroung on our local tailwaters on the warmer days, and Mother's Day Caddis are next on the hatch chart. With warmer air temps on the way, however, our Spring run-off isn't too far off either, so check the flow gauges before you head out. Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs are wide open, Strawberry Reservoir is iced-off, and prospecting with streamers, balanced leeches, and chironomids are moving fish. 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.
If you're heading out to fish Ice Off on the local reservoirs, check out our new:
[WR]F.A.Q - Western Rivers Frequent Angling Questions feature on Ice Off.
This new blog post seeks to break down and de-mystify some of our favorite local angling opportunites throughout the season.
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 310 CFS out of Jordanelle, and 249 CFS at River Road. This is a good fishing flow, and should keep fishing well as long as flows stay stable. At these flows, and especially on sunny days, the fish will hang in deeper water, or around river structure such as rocks, drop-offs and shelfs, and foam and bubble lines next to faster water. As we get into May you'll want to make sure you have your Midge nymphs and dries (#18-#28), Midge Soft Hackles (#18-#22), Baetis (B.W.O.) nymphs, soft hackles, cripples, and dry flies (#18-#22), and Skwala stonefly nymphs and dries (#12). If air temperatures stay warm, and the water flows don't go crazy, Mother's Day Caddis could become part of the discussion, so having cased caddis larva (#16), olive caddis pupa (#16-#18), and Mother's Day Caddis adults (#16-#18) wouldn't be a bad idea. If there is nothing obvious hatching nor fish rising consistently, nymphing with worm patterns (#12-#18), a variety of midge larva and pupa patterns, sow bugs, Baetis (B.W.O.) nymphs, or attractor nymphs have been proven to motivate a fish or two to eat. Swinging a Soft Hackle on a slow, controlled, down-and across swing has been effective prior to and after the daily hatches, and fishing streamers during the low-light periods of the day can potentially move a fish or two.
Lower Provo:
The Lower's flow is around 430 CFS out of Deer Creek. At these flows the fish will seek out structure along the rivers edge, and structure such as drop-offs, pools, rocks, and foam / bubble lines are still what I'd focus on fishing. Midges (#18-#26) are still very important to both anglers and fish for the rest of the Spring season, but the Baetis (Blue Winged Olive) mayflies are still hatching, and there are Skwala Stoneflies buzzing around too. Nymphing in the deeper holes with a variety of midge larva and pupa patterns, small sow bugs, B.W.O. nymphs, and small attractor nymphs can be effective. Dry fly-fishing with Blue Winged Olive mayflies (#18-#22) has been most productive during the warmer parts of the day, and the hatch should only get stronger as we get farther into April. If you don't want to look at a bobber, 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 fishing streamers can move fish too.
Weber River:
The Weber River between Rockport and Echo reservoirs is now flowing at 24 CFS at Wanship, and 51 CFS at Coalville. This is a barely fishable flow for the Middle Weber, so we'd recommend anglers move on from hole to hole after catching a couple of fish so as to not stress them out. We'd also recommend you come prepared with small midge nymphs and dries (#18-#24), Blue Winged Olive nymphs and dries (#18-#22), and Mother's Day Caddis nymphs and dries (#14-#18). Other nymphs such as san juan worms, sow bugs, Hare's Ears, Pheasant Tails, and Copper Johns are good option over there as well. Fishing a streamer low and slow through the deeper holes can also potentially move a fish or two, and isn't a bad option to try-especially if nothing else is working. Flows out of Echo Reservoir to Henefer are now currently at 115 CFS, which is a very fishable flow, and worth checking out before the Spring run-off occurs. Heading down towards Morgan and Ogden the flows are getting higher, and more tricky to fish and wade by the day. In short, use caution, and don't put yourself in danger!!! Flies to use for the Lower Weber will be identical to what we are fishing on the Weber between Rockport and Echo Reservoirs.
Green River Below Flaming Gorge:
As of right now, the flows on the Green below Flaming Gorge are flowing at/around 900 CFS from 12 AM - 6 PM, then bumping to 1,450 CFS during the night. Flows can change on a dime, so make sure to check the flows before you go. If you're heading to the Green I'd make sure to bring midge nymphs and dries (#18-#26), Blue Winged Olive mayfly nymphs and dries (#18-#22), attractor dry fly patterns like a Para. Cricket (#16), Parachute Adams (#14-#22), and Purple Rooster/Purple Hazes (#14-#18). Dry-Dropper fishing with attractor nymphs like "Frenchies", Perdigons, olive or tan sow bugs/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:
Many of the local community ponds/lakes and reservoirs are fishing, and can be good at times with a variety of streamers, chironomids, and balanced leeches as long as there is open water to fish. If you're stumped about what size and colors to fish, remember to keep it simple. Bright day, bright fly. Dark day, dark fly. Sunny and calm, sparser and/or smaller flies. Cloudy, stormy, or windy days-fish darker and/or larger flies. Warm-Water fish species such as carp, sunfish, and bass are great options to fish for during the Mid-Spring to Early Summer, and be a welcome change from fishing high water. If you fancy a road trip, heading down to check out some of the streams and reservoirs down in Southern Utah can potentially lead to good fishing opportunities, and less people.
Fishing Tip(s):
Spring season hatches are significantly impacted by the weather conditions on the day you go fishing. Blue Winged Olive mayflies usually hatch thickest on cloudier days, and the colder the weather is usually means the better the fishing conditions will be during the warmest and/or most comfortable parts of the day. Also, keep in mind that the warmer the weather conditions are, melting snow can negatively impact fishing by making water temperatures drop during the warmer parts of the day, which will negatively impact fishing the farther you are downstream of the source reservoir. For fishing streamers, I like to run a 7.5' 2X leader, and 2X-4X tippets. For fishing some Skwala stonefly dry-dropper rigs, I use 7.5'-9' 4X leaders, and I'm typically fishing 9' 5X leaders then tapering down to 6X tippets for midges and Blue Wing Olives.
FLY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Hi-Vis Griffiths Gnat (#18, #22)
Mother Shuckers (#20-#24)
Black Parachute Midge (#22, #26)
Morgan's Midge (#22, #24)
Befus BWO Emerger (#18, #22)
Mickey Mouse BWO Cripple (#18-#20)
Purple Rooster / Purple Haze (#14-#18)
Para. Adams (#12-#20, #22-#26)
Little Olive Skwala (#12)
Hemingway Caddis (#16)
Olive Graphic Caddis (#16)
Baetis Swinger (#18)
BWO Soft Hackle (#18)
Snipe and Purple (#16)
Olive Sparkle Soft Hackle (#16)
Red Hot Spot Spider Soft Hackle (#14)
Zebra Midges (#16-#22)
Juju Baetis (#20-#22)
Barr's BWO Emerger (#18-#22)
Pheasant Tail Nymphs (#18-#22)
Hare's Ear Nymphs (#18)
Cased / Un-Cased Caddis Larva (#14-#18)
Copper John Midge (#22)
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)