Utah ·
Provo River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
PROVO RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Utah — Middle & Lower Provo River
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter tailwater pattern in effect: low, stable flows and clear water. Nymphing is the reliable game now — think small, deep, and accurate.
Flows & Release
Middle Provo (Jordanelle release): ~149 CFS
Lower/Deer Creek reach: ~114–140 CFS (typical winter tailwater levels)
Water clarity: Generally clear — good sight nymphing conditions
Middle Provo (Jordanelle release): ~149 CFS
Lower/Deer Creek reach: ~114–140 CFS (typical winter tailwater levels)
Water clarity: Generally clear — good sight nymphing conditions
Water Temperature
Current: near 40°F (4–6°C)
Trend: cold-stable; expect slow fish metabolism and fish holding deeper or tight to cover
Current: near 40°F (4–6°C)
Trend: cold-stable; expect slow fish metabolism and fish holding deeper or tight to cover
Weather & Wind
Forecast: cold mornings with sun midday; periodic gusts in canyon stretches
Dress warm, watch wind-driven seams for feeding fish
Forecast: cold mornings with sun midday; periodic gusts in canyon stretches
Dress warm, watch wind-driven seams for feeding fish
Access & Safety
Public accesses open — parking near common put-ins is limited on busy days.
Ice near banks in the morning; use studded boots where needed and watch for slick rocks
Public accesses open — parking near common put-ins is limited on busy days.
Ice near banks in the morning; use studded boots where needed and watch for slick rocks
Hatch Chart & Insect Notes (early January)
| Insect | Sizes | Activity | Where to Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (adult/pupa/larva) | #18–24 | Primary winter food; steady, subtle surface/pupa activity | Slow flats, tailouts, behind foam lines; indicator rigs pay off |
| Baetis / BWO | #18–22 | Light and sporadic — watch midday warmer pockets | Shallow riffles and slow seams with visible rise-holds |
| Sowbugs & Scuds | nymph sizes #10–16 | Important subsurface winter staples | Deep seams, pocket water, tailouts — fish low and slow |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | #4–10 (not active) | Off-season — big stones not present in January | Not relevant now |
Recommended Flies — Built for Provo River Winter
Below are field-tested choices organized by technique. Each selection links to the tied pattern so you can inspect or order. I prioritized proven tailwater, Euro, and indicator-friendly flies from the reference inventory.
Dry Flies & Emergers (for sporadic BWO / midge activity)
- Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — a subtle, reliable silhouette for picky winter BWOs and small mayfly emerging activity.
- Stealth Link Mercer - PMD — low-profile emerger/dry for mid-winter PMD/baetis windows.
- No Mercy Para Midge - Black — para-midge for tight surface presentations on slick water.
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) - Tan — best-sized CDC for winter caddis spottings and as a general "soft" dry.
Nymphs (the bread-and-butter now — small, dense, and tungsten-weighted)
- Egan's Poacher - Olive — excellent as an anchor fly and in Euro-style dead-drift rigs; fishes like a heavy scud/mini-leech.
- Egan's Poacher - Black — same role in darker water or when a higher-contrast profile is needed.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive — jig nymph for indicator or tight Euro presentations; great as the point fly.
- Roza's World Spain Perdigon - Barbless — slim, sink-fast perdigon for picky winter trout keyed to baetis/midge nymphs.
Streamers & Big Imitations (short, slow drifts and strip-searches)
- Egan's Poacher - Olive — doubles as a compact streamer/jig; excellent in pocket water and near structure.
- Egan's Poacher - Black — darker, higher-contrast option to trigger reaction strikes in tannic or shadowed water.
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin — classic sculpin imitation for deeper runs and pool tailouts where trout expect baitfish.
- Sculpzilla - Olive — articulated-style sculpin for slow strip-work along edges and structure.
Midge / Micro Nymphs (downsize and detect the light takes)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — tungsten micro for deep, fast drift nymphing.
- Top Secret Midge — a go-to emerger/adult midge imitation for winter surface windows.
- Redneck Midge — slim, deadly for indicator rigs and Euro setups.
- Jujubee Midge - Olive — fine-profile midge for picky fish in ultra-clear water.
Sowbugs & Eggs (important winter/indicator flies)
- Tailwater Sowbug - Rainbow — staple indicator nymph; fish it near the bottom where trout feed in winter.
- Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug - Rainbow — faster-sinking sowbug for deep seams.
- CDC Soft Hackle Tailwater Sowbug Jig - Rainbow — soft-hackle motion can be very effective as a point fly.
- Slush Egg - Apricot — soft/dirty egg pattern for fish keying on egg pockets or pink/red attractors.
Tactics & Quick Tips
Nymphing is your primary tool:
Streamer work: slow strips in deep runs and along structure early or late in the day; short pulls and pauses are deadly.
- Fish deep seams, tailouts, and pocket water. Use a heavy anchor fly and a lighter trailer (midge/baetis) — aim for tight-to-the-bottom drifts.
- Downsize — winter fish prefer smaller profiles (sizes #16–24 on midges; #14–18 on baetis/emerger patterns).
- Indicator rigs: long leaders (6–10') and subtle, low-profile indicators. Shorten only if you need quicker connection to the flies.
Streamer work: slow strips in deep runs and along structure early or late in the day; short pulls and pauses are deadly.
Suggested Rigs (quick reference)
| Situation | Rig |
|---|---|
| General winter nymphing (indicator) | 8–10' leader, 6–8' tippet, heavy anchor nymph (tungsten), lighter dropper 18–36" behind; |
| Euro/High-stick | Short heavy leader, direct nymph connection, small perdigons/jigs, lift-rhythm to feel subtle takes; |
| Dry-dropper | Small para-midge or PMD dry with tiny midge/nymph trailer; fish calmer seams and foam lines; |
| Streamer | Sink-tip or full sink line, 6–8' leader, articulated/baitfish streamer; slow strips near structure; |
Where to Start (middle & lower Provo)
- Middle Provo (Jordanelle — Deer Creek): begin in long tailouts and deep runs; fish edges of current where fish stage.
- Lower Provo (in-town/Deer Creek release): concentrate on deep seams behind foam lines and rock clusters; indicator nymphing will outproduce dries most days.
- Wading & boats: both valid. In winter, stealth and short, accurate presentations win; avoid heavy foot traffic near productive lies.
