Green River in Utah Fly Fishing Report - August 8/23/2025
GREEN RIVER (UT) FLY FISHING REPORT
Below Flaming Gorge — Tailwater Tactics & Late‑Summer Terrestrial Fishing
Report Date: August 23, 2025 | Next Update: August 30, 2025
Current River Conditions
Late‑August sweet spot: steady dam releases, very clear water, and strong terrestrial activity. Expect topwater eats on most warm afternoons.
Flows & Clarity
Typical daytime flows: ~1,700 CFS (observed range: 900–2,640 CFS)
Water Clarity: Crystal clear — commonly 3–5 ft visibility
Release Source: Flaming Gorge Dam
Typical daytime flows: ~1,700 CFS (observed range: 900–2,640 CFS)
Water Clarity: Crystal clear — commonly 3–5 ft visibility
Release Source: Flaming Gorge Dam
Water Temperature
Current: mid‑50s°F (approx. 55–58°F in lower stretches)
Trend: warmest part of the day, cooling slightly overnight
Current: mid‑50s°F (approx. 55–58°F in lower stretches)
Trend: warmest part of the day, cooling slightly overnight
Weather & Wind
Forecast: warm, mostly sunny with light to moderate afternoon breeze
Fishing windows: calm mornings and late afternoons often produce best dry fly action
Forecast: warm, mostly sunny with light to moderate afternoon breeze
Fishing windows: calm mornings and late afternoons often produce best dry fly action
Access & Logistics
Main put‑ins and boat ramps open; roads in good shape. Popular floats and wade sections can be busy on weekends — midweek is quieter.
Main put‑ins and boat ramps open; roads in good shape. Popular floats and wade sections can be busy on weekends — midweek is quieter.
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers) | #6–14 (varied) | Heavy — fish key to banks and foam lines | Warm afternoons & into evening |
| Midges | #18–24 | Very prolific — mornings and overcast periods | Dawn–midday, pockets through the day |
| Blue‑Winged Olives / Baetis | #18–22 | Moderate — opportunistic rises | Late morning to early afternoon |
| Caddis & PMDs | #14–18 | Light — evening caddis windows possible | Evening |
| Stoneflies | #10–16 | Occasional — check riffles | Afternoons on warmer cobbles |
Recommended Flies (with links)
Cover the big late‑summer opportunities with a mix of terrestrials, small midges/BWO patterns, productive nymphs, and a few sculpin/baitfish streamers for structure work.
-
Terrestrials & Dry Attractors
- Bionic Ant — Black — bank‑side ants and beetles
- Bionic Hopper — Tan — high‑visibility hopper for foam lines
- Green River PMX Cricket (Limited Edition) — perfect when fish key on crickets
-
Midges & Small Dries / Emergers
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — tiny midge work, indicator rigs
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive — reliable BWO imitation for picky risers
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — Olive — evening/edge caddis activity
-
Nymphs & Euro / Indicator Flies
- Tungsten Pat’s Rubber Legs — stonefly nymphs for heavier tendency pockets
- Pheasant Tail — Tungsten — universal mayfly/nymph profile
- Egan’s Warrior Perdigon — Rainbow — tight, high‑sink nymph for clear water
- Juju Baetis — Tungsten — euro/indicator setups for Baetis and small mayfly nymphs
-
Streamers & Baitfish Imitations
- Coffey’s Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin #4 — prime for deep runs and structure
- Sculpzilla — Olive — classic sculpin profile for aggressive eats
- Balanced Leech — Olive — pulls fish off slow, deep seams
Tactics & Quick Tips
- Rig up a dry‑dropper with a buoyant terrestrial or foam hopper on top and a heavy tungsten nymph 18–36" below for clear, fast water.
- On very clear days use smaller, realistic nymphs (Perdigons, Pheasant Tail) and add split shot or tungsten to get to the fish quickly.
- Euro/indicator nymphing with single heavy flies or micro‑perdigons works exceptionally well in seams and current breaks.
- When fish are keyed to the bank or foam lines, present terrestrials on slack water and near eddies; short, accurate casts win here.
- Use streamers (sculpin/mini‑baitfish) in deeper runs, tails of pools, and along undercut banks — slow strips with pauses often trigger large fish.
- On very clear days use smaller, realistic nymphs (Perdigons, Pheasant Tail) and add split shot or tungsten to get to the fish quickly.
- Euro/indicator nymphing with single heavy flies or micro‑perdigons works exceptionally well in seams and current breaks.
- When fish are keyed to the bank or foam lines, present terrestrials on slack water and near eddies; short, accurate casts win here.
- Use streamers (sculpin/mini‑baitfish) in deeper runs, tails of pools, and along undercut banks — slow strips with pauses often trigger large fish.
Where to Focus
Morning
Midge activity in shallow flats and pockets — indicator rigs and tiny midges or bwo emerger patterns.
Midge activity in shallow flats and pockets — indicator rigs and tiny midges or bwo emerger patterns.
Midday
Nymph rigs in seams and faster water; euro tactics in deeper runs. Watch for rising fish behind rocks.
Nymph rigs in seams and faster water; euro tactics in deeper runs. Watch for rising fish behind rocks.
Afternoon–Evening
Terrestrial action heats up — foam lines, banks, and eddies. Transition to dries and hopper/dropper rigs.
Terrestrial action heats up — foam lines, banks, and eddies. Transition to dries and hopper/dropper rigs.
Structure & Streamers
Work logs, undercuts, and seams with sculpin/baitfish streamers; concentrate where big fish ambush.
Work logs, undercuts, and seams with sculpin/baitfish streamers; concentrate where big fish ambush.
Safety & Etiquette
- Flows can change with dam operations — check local release updates before launching.
- High visibility water rewards stealth: short casts, low profile wading, and long leaders help.
- Leave no trace — pack out all line and trash. Be considerate of private access and guided parties.
- Use barbless hooks or pinch barbs to speed safe release of wild trout.
