Green River UT Fishing Report

Last update: 3/9/2024

Report Overview

Current fishing tips and conditions for the Green River A, B, and C sections.

  • Below Flaming Gorge Dam streamer fishing appears to be the most consistent producer regardless of flow. Streamers also work well when fish aren’t rising.
  • When flows are lower nymphing scud and small midge patterns produces bites.
  • Traditional midge and BWO nymphs and dry flies (#18-#22) are recommended this time of year.
  • If fish aren’t rising, nymphing with attractors (perdigons, scuds, Zebra midges, worm patterns) can be effective.

Recommended Fly Patterns

There are a ton of fly patterns that will catch trout on the Green River. However, anglers report best catch rates using the following fly patterns. If you’re looking for the must haves, here is your list.

Dry Flies
  • Triple Double #14-18 (purple, black, amber)
  • Chubby Chernobyl #6-12 (tan, black, royal)
  • Fat Albert #6-12 (black, tan)
  • Parachute Adams #16-18
  • Parachute Ant #18-22 (black)
  • Morrish Hopper #6-14 (tan, gold, pink)
  • Parachute Cricket #10-12
  • PMX Cricket #10
  • Yellow Sally CDC
Nymphs
  • Pheasant Tail #16-22
  • Tungsten Zebra Midge #14-20 (black, wine, purple)
  • Grey Soft Hackle #16-22
  • Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
  • Scuds #20-22 (grey, olive, orange)
  • San Juan Worm (orange, red, brown)
Streamers
  • Tungsten Woolly Bugger #4
  • Tungsten Jig Bugger
  • Sex Dungeon (articulated, black)
  • Galloup’s Dungeon
  • Articulated (all colors)
  • Cheech Leech

Monthly Fishing Reports

Monthly fishing reports and conditions for the Green River.

March ushers in spring on the Green River and with it some of the best fly fishing opportunities. Warm water is released upstream from Flaming Gorge Dam increasing the metabolism of trout and setting off Blue Wing Olive (BWO) hatches. However, midges are the hatch to focus on in early March.

Toward mid to late March hungry trout begin to actively feed on the BWOs. This feeding frenzy offers anglers the opportunity to target Brown and Rainbow trout using BWO mayfly and nymph patterns. Parachute Adams also produce bites. March is an excellent month for fish streamers and for shallow nymphing.

Dry fly fishing on the A Section and upper B Section of the Green River also takes off in may. Midge hatches along A and B sections provide anglers the opportunity to fish trout using midge imitations and patterns.

In addition to dry and nymph fishing, the lower section of the Green River provides excellent streamer fishing. The lower Green River provides consistent streamer fishing year round.

The best time of day to fish is between 11am and 3pm.

April on the Green River is considered “high” season. Hatches are abundant, as are anglers. If you’re looking for your own stretch of river to fish, B and C Sections will have the lowest fishing pressure during April.

April provides some of the best fly fishing of any river in the lower 48. Hatches are prolific and the water is clear. Unlike other rivers that are susceptible to cloudy water due to muddy snow runoff, as a tailwater fishery the upper sections of the Green River offer relatively clear water that allows anglers the ability to sight fish individual trout as they rise to the surface.

Water temperatures in April are ideal for fishing cutthroats and rainbows which are now feeding heavily on aquatic insects and flies.

Blue Wing Olive (baetis) hatches peak mid to late April. BWOs emerge between 11am and 2pm but timing may vary due to water conditions and weather. Fishing BWO hatches tend to be more productive on overcast days.

Fishing dry flies, nymphs and emergers is all productive. Fishing streamers below Red Creek drainage is especially productive. Midge patterns are productive until BWO hatches take off. Popular fly patterns for April include Zebra Midges, BWO emergers, scuds, Midge emergers, Beefus Emerger and Streamers (purple, white, black).

The most productive fishing hours are between 11am and 4pm.

High water on the Green River typically starts between the 20th and 25th of May and lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. Fishing is excellent before and after high water. Water levels are determined by weather, snowpack, and the amount of water being release from Flaming Gorge dam upstream.

High water initially displaces fish in the Green River. However, within a few days to a week of the first day of high water fishing picks up again and catch rates improve. Some years the fishing is even good during spring runoff. Anglers report having caught trophy trout on the Green River during high water. Typically, the best place to fish during high water is at least 4 miles below the dam.

BWO hatches remain strong through May. Terrestrials begin to take stage late May, including cicadas which emerge in early May. Some years cicadas are the mainstay of trouts’ diet. A few recommended flies include cicada patterns, woolly buggers, parachute adams, beefus BWO emerger, BWO Cripple Patterns, Parachute Cricket, Zebra midges, and other midge-type nymph patterns sizes 18 to 24.

The most productive techniques are nymphing and fishing dry flies. Streamers also produce.

The most productive fishing hours are between 10am and 3pm.

Cicada hatches are in full swing by early June. They emerge in early summer as ground temperatures warm. Eager trout feed on cicadas as they fall into the river. Long surface drifts with cicada patterns sizes #4-10 can generate explosive strikes from foraging trout.

The largest hatches that emerge in June include Cicada, PMD Mayfly, Caddis, and Yellow Stonefly. These hatches are typically more abundant on B Section and C Section. During mid to late June terrestrials, including grasshoppers, beetles and ants are prolific and become a mainstay for feeding trout.

The most productive fishing techniques reported by anglers are dry flies and nymphing. Fishing a dry fly dropper setup is especially productive. Recommend flies include Small foam cicadas and Chubby Chernobyl.

The most productive time of day to fish is between 10am and 3pm.

July is the driest month of the year on the Green River. With very little muddy runoff water entering the upper Green River, the water for nearly 30 miles below Flaming Gorge Dam is now very clear. Anglers can access several miles of crystal clear water by foot just below the dam where large Rainbows and Browns can be seen suspending just below the surface. Fishing pressure directly below the dam can be high for anglers casting from the bank.

B and C sections of the Green River fish very well throughout July. The cicada hatch dwindles during early July. Caddis, PMD Mayfly, and Yellow Sally Stonefly hatches remain strong throughout the month. PMD hatches are most prolific on cloudy days.

The most common techniques are dry fly fishing and nymphing. A few recomended fly patterns include Para Cricket, XCaddis, and Chubby Chernobyl. Streamers are also productive.

Best time of day to fish during July is from 7am to 5pm.

Fishing on the Green River slows a bit moving into the tail end of July and August then picks up again in September.

August along the Green River provides good dry fly fishing and nymphing opportunities for anglers. Fishing grasshopper, flying ant, and beetle terrestrial fly patterns provides consistent action from hungry trout.

Trico hatches along the lower sections of the river are prolific. Other August hatches include Caddis, PMDs, Flying Ant and Hoppers. Recommended fly patterns include Para Cricket, Chubby Chernobyl, Pheasant tail, and Prince Nymph.

Best time of day to fish is usually between 7am and 5pm.

With kids back in school, there is less traffic and fishing pressure on the river compared to early spring and summer.

Starting mid-September trout begin to gorge in preparation for winter. September fishes well with grasshopper, flying ant, and beetle patterns. Midge, caddis and scud patterns also produce well.

September hatches include Caddis, PMDs, Midges and some terrestrials. Dry fly fishing with a dry fly dropper rig and nymphing are the two most productive techniques.

Trout begin pre-spawn.

Best time of day to fish is between 7am and 4pm.

Brown trout are in full spawn and sporting vibrant spawning colors. During spawn they become aggressive. Nymphing and streamers work well during spawn.

The most prolific hatches during October are Midges, Caddis, and Pseudos.

Weather is unpredictable. It may be warm or cold during October. Snow is possible toward the end of the month. Dry flies are productive on warmer days. Nymphing is the most product fishing method, but trout will also take caddis, pseudo, and terrestrial dry flies in the afternoon and evening.

As weather cools toward the end of October, streamers become more productive. Anglers report black marabou buggers produce well.

Recommended streamers include Sculpins and Buggers. For dry fly terrestrials try hopper, ant, and beetle imitations; Peacock Caddis and Triple double. For nymphs anglers report success with scuds sizes #18-22, pheasant tails sizes #20-26, and WD40 sizes #20-24.

Fishing is equally productive throughout the day.

Brown trout are in full spawn and can be seen paired up. Streamers and nymph fishing continue to produce well throughout the November trout spawn. When wade fishing make every effort not to disturb spawning beds.

There are sporadic warm spells on the Green River throughout November. Dry fly fishing large terrestrial patterns will product strikes. One of the best presentations for fishing terrestrials is using a dry fly dropper rig with a terrestrial as point and trailing nymph fly.

Nymphing and streamers are probably the most effective fishing techniques during November. Recommended flies for nymphing include Scuds (#18-22) and Pheasant Tails (#22-26). For streamers, Buggers, Sculpins and Goldielocks are top choices.

Fishing pressure is low during November. Fishing is productive throughout the day.

Fishing pressure on the Green River during December is low. Fishing is peaceful and serene.

There are various midge hatches along the Green River during December. Midge dry flies, small nymph patterns, and streamers are all productive. Brown trout are especially fond of streamers this time of year.

Best time of day to fish durin December is between 10am and 3pm.

Water temperatures are in the mid to upper thirties. With water this cold trout tend to group together in deeper parts of the river. If you catch one trout, there are likely more in the same area.

During January trouts’ metabolism slows. When they hit your fly it will be soft. To catch trout be ready to set your hook at the smallest tug on our line or slightest movement of your indicator.

Dredging with streamers and nymphs is productive during January.

Rainbow trout spawn begins in February. Take care not to disturb spawn beds when wade fishing or anchoring your boat.

Midge hatches occur along the Green River on days when temperatures reach above 55 degrees. Fishing midge imitations and streamers on warmer days will produce catches. A heavier 6-7wt rod is ideal for fishing streamers.

Recommended streamer patterns include Sculpins, Mini-Dungeons, and Buggers.

Best time of day to fish the Green River during February is between 10am and 3pm.

Top Catches

The following are the most common catches on the Green River reported by anglers.

Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Cutthroat trout

Share this page