The flows are high at 8600 CFS. But don’t let that scare you! The fishing is great and there is a nice BWO hatch on. Try setting up a nymph rig for the upper A section, and on the lower near Little Hole you should be able to get some dry fly action! Mark Wilson landed this beautiful rainbow last week.
The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam has higher than average flows this spring. Release flows jumped up to 8600 CFS today. There’s a nice BWO hatch on, and streamer fishing has been good. A heavy nymph rig typically does well in high water. Wading will be difficult and is not recommended; fishing from a drift should be good though! Get out there and stay safe!
Snowpack levels are above average and near 200% this year. Expect higher than average water flows through at least March 2017. See info from the Bureau of Reclamation below (to read the full article click the link here):
“(Last Updated:February 13, 2017)
Releases are currently 1,800 cfs and will be increasing within the allowable parameters of the Record of Decision, limiting increases to 50 cfs/day through the end of February. Releases will be increased to 3,000 cfs through March 2, 2017, according to the linked schedule. The February water supply forecast of the April through July unregulated inflow volume into Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 1.65 million acre-feet (169 percent of average). Additional storms throughout the basin increased the current projection to 2 maf (~200 percent of average). Current snowpack is 180 percent of median and we have received 124 percent of the seasonal peak for the Upper Green Basin with additional storm systems anticipated through February.
Flaming Gorge will be operated with the utmost caution to address the forecasted runoff. Extended bypass releases will be required to manage the runoff this year. Reclamation is advising all its stakeholders early of the extended bypass releases so that planning for the season may occur.
The Yampa River Basin has not seen commensurate snowpack accumulation to the Upper Green. The February final forecast for Yampa River flows during the April-July period is 1.4 maf (113 percent of average), with the most recent raw model guidance decreasing to 1.377 maf. Yampa River flows are largely uncontrolled, which means the current forecast provides potential relief to forecasted peak magnitude flows this spring as compared against 2011. There is always the potential of increased snow accumulation within the Yampa River Basin, so please plan accordingly.
The February final forecast for inflows for the next three months projects above average conditions: February, March and April forecasted inflow volumes at 50,000 af (112 percent of average), 135,000 af (132 percent of average), and 225,000 af (169 percent of average), respectively. “
See the full article here
If you’re willing to face the cold and wind on the river this holiday week and plan on fishing the Green River UT watch for fluctuating water levels. Release flows from Flaming Gorge Dam will have the fish discombobulated so your best bet is going to be during stabilization periods.
For dry fly fishing use a BWO or small midge in back eddies. Nymph fishing should be a safe bet overall- try midges, eggs, or pheasant tail. Streamer fishing should produce early or late in the day when the water flows are typically changing. Bundle up, stay safe, and MerryChristmas!
We had a great time with Mike and Kathy out on the Green River this fall. They landed several fish and did an awesome job casting and taking instruction. Here’s a look at a few of the fat Rainbows and Browns they landed!
We had a great time on the Green River the other day with Jeff and Steve. The Blue Wing Olive hatch is still going strong- the guys landed several fish with a nymph rig on the A section.
