Green River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
GREEN RIVER (Below Flaming Gorge) FLY FISHING REPORT
Utah — Winter Tailwater Tactics
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter window — low, crystal-clear, technical fishing. The river is at base winter releases from Flaming Gorge; fish are keyed to midges, small Baetis/BWO activity in sun-warmed pockets, and opportunistic streamers in deeper runs.
Flows & Clarity
Flow Rate: ~800–900 CFS (stable winter base releases from Flaming Gorge Dam)
Water Clarity: Very clear (expect high visibility; fish are spooky)
Flow Rate: ~800–900 CFS (stable winter base releases from Flaming Gorge Dam)
Water Clarity: Very clear (expect high visibility; fish are spooky)
Water Temperature
Current: ~40–43°F (4–6°C)
Daily Trend: Cold mornings, slight warming midday in sunlit riffles
Current: ~40–43°F (4–6°C)
Daily Trend: Cold mornings, slight warming midday in sunlit riffles
Weather & Fishing Window
Forecast: Cold mornings, sunny breaks midday; high temps in the upper 30s–40s°F
Prime fishing: Midday through early afternoon when the sun warms seams
Forecast: Cold mornings, sunny breaks midday; high temps in the upper 30s–40s°F
Prime fishing: Midday through early afternoon when the sun warms seams
Access & Safety
River: Below Flaming Gorge (Sections A–C). Winter access is generally good; dress for ice & river spray.
Notes: Watch for icy banks, very selective fish, and spawning trout in late winter—give any redds a wide berth.
River: Below Flaming Gorge (Sections A–C). Winter access is generally good; dress for ice & river spray.
Notes: Watch for icy banks, very selective fish, and spawning trout in late winter—give any redds a wide berth.
Winter Hatch & Food Notes
| Insect / Food | Sizes | Activity | When to Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (dominant) | #18–26 | High — constant, selective feeding | Midday to afternoon; steady all day in calm pockets |
| Blue‑Winged Olives (Baetis) | #18–22 | Low–Moderate — on sunny afternoons | Warm mid‑day seams & shallows |
| PMDs / Small Mayfly Emergers | #18–20 | Sporadic — only on mild, sunny days | Late morning to midday |
| Black & Olive Nymphs / Larvae | #14–20 (nymphs), #20–24 (midges) | Reliable subsurface feed | All day — nymph rigs most productive early and late |
| Small Streamers / Sculpin Imitations | #4–8 | Effective on opportunistic predators (browns) | Overcast or low-light periods; deep runs and structure |
Tactics — What’s Working
Low, clear water demands finesse:
- Nymph heavy: Euro/indicator nymphing with small, dense bead/jig patterns and short droppers. Use thin profiles and tungsten to get down in the clear water column.
- Dry-dropper: If midges or BWOs are triggering surface sipping, pair a tiny parachute or BWO adult with a midge dropper under an indicator or off the rear of the dry.
- Streamers: Slow, deliberate strips through deep tails and pool heads—target winter-positioned browns on the shoulders and near structure.
- Presentation: Long leaders (12–16 ft) with 4–6X tippets for dries/emerger presentations; 3X–4X for heavy nymph rigs. Keep casts long and soft; trout see everything.
- Nymph heavy: Euro/indicator nymphing with small, dense bead/jig patterns and short droppers. Use thin profiles and tungsten to get down in the clear water column.
- Dry-dropper: If midges or BWOs are triggering surface sipping, pair a tiny parachute or BWO adult with a midge dropper under an indicator or off the rear of the dry.
- Streamers: Slow, deliberate strips through deep tails and pool heads—target winter-positioned browns on the shoulders and near structure.
- Presentation: Long leaders (12–16 ft) with 4–6X tippets for dries/emerger presentations; 3X–4X for heavy nymph rigs. Keep casts long and soft; trout see everything.
Recommended Patterns & Local Matches
Below are field‑tested, shop‑ready patterns that match the winter profile on the Green River. I selected proven Euro nymphs, tiny midge options, and streamer/sculpin imitations that excel when the water is low and clear. Click a fly to view and order.
Nymphs / Euro Nymphing (get deep, remain subtle)
- Egan's Poacher — Olive — excellent anchor/euro nymph; slim profile that fishes well in fast, clear seams.
- Egan's Poacher — Black — same silhouette in a darker shade for tannic/low‑light situations.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive — a compact tungsten jig that hangs in the strike zone and reads as mayfly/midge nymphs.
- Tungsten Dart — Red — flashy micro dart to trigger follows on picky trout.
- Tip: Fish these on a short leader off the indicator or single‑hand euro rig; small, precise drifts win.
Midges & Tiny Subsurface (the bread & butter)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — winter staple for the Green; try with a small tungsten bead.
- Top Secret Midge — a go‑to midge profile for indicator or dropper work.
- Pat's Midge — simple, effective; pairs well under a small dry or on a micro‑dropper rig.
- Jujubee Midge — Olive — a reliable midge for ultra‑clear water presentations.
- Rig idea: Micro nymph dropper(s) off a tungsten nymph or use a two‑fly indicator rig with 18–22" droppers.
Drys & Emergers (sunny pockets / selective sipping)
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive — excellent for sippers when BWOs surface in mid‑day sun.
- Stealth Link Mercer — PMD — a great emerger/dun for warmer spells.
- Antonio's Adult BWO — delicate, realistic profile for the picky riser.
- Parachute — March Brown — keeps you ready if a small mayfly window opens.
- Presentation: Use long, tapered leaders and 4X–6X tippets; cast beyond the rise and mend to achieve drag‑free drift.
Streamers & Baitfish / Sculpin Imitations (targeting browns)
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — go‑to sculpin profile for ambush fish in deep holes.
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin (articulated) — larger, lifelike action for big winter browns.
- Sculpzilla — Olive — compact, effective sculpin imitator for structure fishing.
- Near Nuff Sculpin — Olive — another excellent option for slow strips along heads & tails.
- How: Fish slowly—long pauses and short strips. Target run tails, boulder seams, and undercut banks at low light or when trout are keyed on larger meals.
Quick Tactics Summary
| Time | Suggested Approach |
|---|---|
| Early Morning | Nymph rigs deep—indicator or euro. Fish runs, seams and deep tails. |
| Midday (sunny) | Watch for BWO/midge activity; work dry‑droppers and precise dries in pockets warmed by sun. |
| Afternoon / Low Light | Streamer time—slow aggressive retrieves near structure; switch to larger baitfish/sculpin imitations. |
Conservation & Safety Notes
- Low, clear conditions mean fish are easily spooked — approach quietly and favor long casts from downstream without wading into visible lies.
- Be mindful of redds and spawning trout habitat as we move through late winter into spring; practice careful catch & release when required.
- Check local regulations (Flaming Gorge area rules) for closures, stocking or special size/season limits before you fish.
- Be mindful of redds and spawning trout habitat as we move through late winter into spring; practice careful catch & release when required.
- Check local regulations (Flaming Gorge area rules) for closures, stocking or special size/season limits before you fish.
