Fly Fishing the Green River Flaming Gorge, Utah

The Green River Tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam is one of the top tailwater fly fishing destinations in the West. The Green River is located in a remote area of Northeastern Utah but it is fairly close to Salt Lake City. The Green River is best known for its river-run brown, cutthroats and rainbows.

There is an eleven mile long well maintained trail that follows along one side of the river in the Red Rock Canyon. You can fish along the bank the entire way but wading is very limited even during periods of low water. Crossing the Green River even in low water conditions is very difficult. For that reason, most anglers prefer to fish this section from a drift boat.

There are three main drift areas with put in and take outs with the most popular one being just below the dam. The stretch from the dam, down 7 ½ miles to Little Hole is the most famous portion of the Green River. As you might guess, this portion of water is also favored by rafters, tubers and kayaks during the summer months. The water near the dam is generally very clear, flat and deep with mostly a smooth surface, although it does contain some areas of class 11 rapids. A little further down, the Green River has some of the better wading water with some pocket water, shallow riffles as well as a few rapids. If you can get near the banks and fish you will be rewarded with browns and rainbows in the 15” size and occasionally a few over that size.

The second section from Little Hole to Brown Park is perhaps the next favorite section among anglers as it can be waded. The canyon widens out and the water tends to slow down somewhat but there still some rapids. It may hold fewer trout but they can be quite large. This section is subjected from some colored water from the Red Creek whenever there is a cloudburst, but for the most part it is clear.

The last section which goes from Browns Park 13 miles to the Swallow Canyon may hold the largest fish but the fishing is considered inconsistent. The Green River becomes less of a canyon and the surrounding terrain levels out. This section is more easily waded and it also makes for a comfortable float with less traffic. This stretch is not as popular with anglers so there is usually less pressure.

Fly Fishing the Green River Flaming Gorge:

The Green River consistently runs between 2,500 and 3,000 cfs during the winter with a larger flow up to 4,000 cfs or more in May and early June, then slows down to 2,000cfs or below through the remaining summer and into fall. Fly fishing with a 6 wt. equipment will be adequate for the most part.

Spring:

Springtime is an excellent time to fish the Green River. The Blue Winged Olives hatch will start in March with the peak occurring in April and May. These BWOs are bi-brooded meaning that they again will hatch in the fall starting in September. The Little Black Caddis hatches start in April and will be followed up by the Stonefly hatches.

Summer:

Summertime can be crowded with non-anglers especially on weekends but the fishing can be acceptable along the banks. Expect there to be considerable angling pressure especially on the weekends. Pale Evening Duns will start to hatch in June and continue thru mid August, and in the lower portion, Tricos will hatch in July, August and September. Due to the surrounding vegetation, terrestrials will work well, including Mormon Crickets.

Fall:

The autumn season is an excellent time to fish the Green River. Be prepared for the second hatch of the Blue Winged Olives in September through early Novembe. The Tricos will be hatching from late July through September in the lower sections of the Green River.

Winter:

Winter fishing can be good since there are good populations of scuds and sowbugs as well as minnows and bait fish. Streamers are especially effective during the fall brown trout spawn which peaks in November. Midge nymphs are always a good old stand by as well. Terrestrials such as crickets, beetles and grasshoppers will be effective even into early October.