Green River Fly Fishing Report - August 8/23/2025
GREEN RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Flaming Gorge — Green River (UT/WY)
Report Date: August 23, 2025 | Next Update: August 30, 2025
Current River Conditions
Summer terrestrials and midge windows are the story right now. Flows are steady below Flaming Gorge, water remains clear and temperatures are warm but within a comfortable range for trout activity.
Flows & Clarity
Typical Float Flows: ~1,700 CFS (observed range ~900–2,640 CFS)
Water Clarity: Clear — sight fishing possible with 3–5 ft visibility
Typical Float Flows: ~1,700 CFS (observed range ~900–2,640 CFS)
Water Clarity: Clear — sight fishing possible with 3–5 ft visibility
Water Temperature
Current: ~55–58°F (13–15°C)
Daily Range: Generally stable; early mornings cooler
Current: ~55–58°F (13–15°C)
Daily Range: Generally stable; early mornings cooler
Weather
Forecast: Warm days, cool nights; light to moderate afternoon winds likely
Best fishing windows: early morning calm, late afternoon into evening
Forecast: Warm days, cool nights; light to moderate afternoon winds likely
Best fishing windows: early morning calm, late afternoon into evening
Access & Logistics
Major launch ramps open (Flaming Gorge reservoirs and Green River put-ins). Roads and ramps in good condition; expect higher crowds on weekends — midweek is quieter.
Major launch ramps open (Flaming Gorge reservoirs and Green River put-ins). Roads and ramps in good condition; expect higher crowds on weekends — midweek is quieter.
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity (Late August)
| Insect | Size | Activity Level | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrials (hoppers, beetles, ants, crickets) | #6–14 | Heavy ★★★★★ | Warm afternoons & evenings — along banks/foam lines |
| Midges | #18–24 | Very prolific ★★★★★ | Dawn to mid-morning and scattered pockets through the day |
| Blue‑Winged Olives (BWOs) | #18–22 | Moderate ★★★ | Late morning to afternoon |
| Caddis / PMD | #14–18 | Light ★★ | Evenings — look for skittering caddis in slower seams |
| Stoneflies | #10–16 | Occasional ★★ | Warm cobble and riffle edges in the afternoon |
Recommended Flies (matched to inventory)
Below are the top patterns to have in the box for the Green River right now — links go to available patterns that match the hatch and tactics described above.
-
Terrestrials & Attractors
- Taylor's Fat Albert — Black (Hi Vis) (hopper/cricket profile)
- Taylor's Fat Albert — Tan
- Green River PMX Crickets (sz 10) — perfect for shoreline takes
- Bionic Ant (Black) — use small ant patterns in pocket water and eddies
-
Dry Flies for Surface Activity
- Parachute Adams (#16–18) — universal dry when BWOs and mixed bugs show
- Antonio's Adult BWO — when blue‑winged olives are present
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC Olive) — skitter in evening seams
-
Midges & Emergers
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) (#18–22)
- Redneck Midge — try under an indicator or as a dropper
- Egan's Warrior Perdigon — tight, sinky perdigon for deep sipping fish
-
Nymphs (dry-dropper & indicator rigs)
- Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs (#6–10) — stonefly/nymph trigger
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten — reliable mayfly nymph in fast water
- Tungsten Split Case Nymph (PMD) — for PMD and general mayfly feeding lanes
- Juju Baetis Tungsten — great for Baetis-sized subsurface work
-
Streamers & Baitfish Imitations
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin (sz 4)
- Sculpzilla — Natural — sculpin profile for deeper runs
- Cheech Leech — Black — for slow water and deep holds
- Galloup's Dungeon — Olive — aggressive streamer for structure strikes
Tactics & Quick Tips
Top presentations right now:
- Fish terrestrials along foam lines and undercut banks in the warm afternoons. Big foam lines holding pods of trout will eat a hopper or Fat Albert all day.
- Use a dry‑dropper when you have surface activity but want to cover depth — parachute dry with a midge or nymph 18–30" below.
- For mornings and low-light windows, start tight with midge patterns (size 18–24) under an indicator — the midges are prolific and picky trout will be feeding shallow.
- Nymph heavy seams and the tails of pools with tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs, PTs, or Perdigons; try a light split shot or a short tungsten nymph to get bites in faster water.
- Streamer anglers: swing or strip sculpin/baitfish patterns through deep runs and off structure — cast upcurrent, let sink, then strips with occasional pauses.
- Fish terrestrials along foam lines and undercut banks in the warm afternoons. Big foam lines holding pods of trout will eat a hopper or Fat Albert all day.
- Use a dry‑dropper when you have surface activity but want to cover depth — parachute dry with a midge or nymph 18–30" below.
- For mornings and low-light windows, start tight with midge patterns (size 18–24) under an indicator — the midges are prolific and picky trout will be feeding shallow.
- Nymph heavy seams and the tails of pools with tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs, PTs, or Perdigons; try a light split shot or a short tungsten nymph to get bites in faster water.
- Streamer anglers: swing or strip sculpin/baitfish patterns through deep runs and off structure — cast upcurrent, let sink, then strips with occasional pauses.
Rigging & Gear Notes
Rods & Lines
5–7 wt rods: 5 wt for delicate dries & midges; 6–7 wt for streamers and windy afternoons.
Floating line for dries/dry-dropper; weight forward sink tips or intermediate for streamers.
5–7 wt rods: 5 wt for delicate dries & midges; 6–7 wt for streamers and windy afternoons.
Floating line for dries/dry-dropper; weight forward sink tips or intermediate for streamers.
Leaders & Tippet
Dry flies: 9–12' tapered leader; 4X–6X tippet for BWOs/midges.
Nymphing: 6–9' leaders with 1–3 ft of 0.018–0.012" tippet depending on nymph size.
Streamers: 3–6 lb fluorocarbon or 10–14 lb braided shock tippet for hooksets and abrasion.
Dry flies: 9–12' tapered leader; 4X–6X tippet for BWOs/midges.
Nymphing: 6–9' leaders with 1–3 ft of 0.018–0.012" tippet depending on nymph size.
Streamers: 3–6 lb fluorocarbon or 10–14 lb braided shock tippet for hooksets and abrasion.
Rig Examples
- Dry‑dropper: Parachute Adams (or PMX cricket) over a tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs (or Perdigon).
- Indicator rig: small strike indicator, split shot, tungsten perdigon or PT 18–24" below.
- Dry‑dropper: Parachute Adams (or PMX cricket) over a tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs (or Perdigon).
- Indicator rig: small strike indicator, split shot, tungsten perdigon or PT 18–24" below.
Where to Focus (Sections & Structure)
Target the classic Green River lies: foam lines, undercut banks, seams adjacent to faster water, tailouts of runs, and submerged boulders. If you're floating, work both banks on gentle glassy stretches and pick apart pocket water when you see rise rings or surface distortion.
Crowds, Permits & Notes
Crowds
Weekends remain busiest; aim for midweek floats for quieter water.
Weekends remain busiest; aim for midweek floats for quieter water.
Regulations
Follow state regs and posted limits. Carry your license, and practice careful fish handling — warm water stress can be an issue late summer.
Follow state regs and posted limits. Carry your license, and practice careful fish handling — warm water stress can be an issue late summer.
Local Shops & Reports
Local fly shops and guide services update daily hatches — check with them for on‑the‑water intel before you go.
Local fly shops and guide services update daily hatches — check with them for on‑the‑water intel before you go.
