GREEN RIVER GUIDE FLY FISHING & FLAMING GORGE WATER RELEASE REPORT
Coverage: May 4 – May 10
Prepared For: Dutch John Resort – Guide & Operations Staff
Status: VERY HIGH FLOWS – Hydropower + Larval Study Releases
1. FLAMING GORGE DAM – VERIFIED WATER RELEASES (CFS)
- May 4: Up to ~8,600 CFS (4,600 CFS powerplant + 4,000 CFS bypass)
- May 5–10: Sustained very high flows expected (similar release range)
Operational Impact:
Very high flows all week. Wading nearly impossible. Drift-boat fishing only.
Trout tight to banks and soft edges.
2. HYDROLOGY SUMMARY (VERY HIGH FLOWS)
- Morning: Cold, fast, high water; clarity improves slowly
- Midday: Peak flows; strongest push; drift-boat only
- Late Afternoon: Slight stabilization; best clarity window; improved streamer and emerger activity
Water Temps: 42–46°F below the dam
3. SECTION-BY-SECTION CONDITIONS
SECTION A — Dam to Little Hole
- Condition: Fast, cold, pushy; trout pinned to banks and structure
- Clarity: 3–5 ft
Best Tactics:
Heavy nymph rigs, deep streamers, long leaders (10–12 ft), bank-tight drifts
Nymphs:
Scuds (olive, tan, orange) #12–16
Sow bugs #14–16
Midge larva/pupa (black, red, cream) #18–20
PMD/BWO nymphs #16–18
Worms (red, wine, pink)
Dries:
Griffith’s Gnat #18–20
BWO emergers/cripples #18–20
Midge clusters #18–20
Streamers:
Sparkle Minnow, Goldie, white/olive articulated patterns
SECTION B — Little Hole to Browns Park
- Condition: Broad fast lanes; isolated soft pockets
- Clarity: 2–4 ft
Best Tactics:
Eddies, inside bends, backwaters; PMD/BWO emergers late week; streamers in afternoon clarity
Nymphs:
Scuds (orange/olive) #12–14
Sow bugs #14–16
PMD nymphs #16
BWO nymphs #18
Worms (red, wine)
Dries:
BWO emergers #18–20
PMD emergers #16–18
Midge clusters
Streamers:
Olive/black articulated patterns; sculpin patterns
SECTION C — Browns Park to Colorado Line
- Condition: Very high, off-color; fish spread out
- Clarity: 1–3 ft
Best Tactics:
Structure, ledges, slow water pockets; big nymphs & streamers; early terrestrials
Nymphs:
Stoneflies #8–10
Scuds #12–14
Worms (red, wine, pink)
Prince/Hare’s Ear #12–14
Dries / Terrestrials:
Ants #14–16
Beetles #12–14
Small attractor dries in slack water
Streamers:
Large dark streamers; articulated patterns with strong profile
4. HATCHES & SURFACE ACTIVITY
- Midges: All week; best in protected pockets
- BWOs: Cloudy afternoons; #18–20 emergers & cripples
- PMDs: Increasing late week; #16–18 emergers
- Terrestrials: Ants & beetles in Section C on warm afternoons
5. RECOMMENDED RIGS
Nymph Rigs:
10–12 ft leaders, 3X–5X, heavy weight, indicators 1.5–2× depth
Streamer Rigs:
6–7 wt rods, intermediate or sink-tip lines, 0X–2X, 4–6 ft leaders
Dry/Dropper:
9 ft leaders, 4X–5X, small indicators or bushy sighters
6. RAFTING CONDITIONS
- Section A: Fast Class II–III feel; strong eddy lines
- Section B: Amplified wave trains; technical corners
- Section C: Powerful lateral pushes; debris; scout blind corners
Recommendation:
Experienced oarsmen only; shorter float times
7. GUIDE STRATEGY NOTES
Fish within 12–18 inches of the bank.
Use heavy weight and long leaders.
Streamers tight to structure.
Best windows: Afternoons
Expect strong, well-oxygenated trout
8. WEEK-AHEAD OUTLOOK
Very high flows persist through the week.
Fishing remains strong for skilled anglers.
Dry-fly potential increases slightly by Saturday.
Rafting remains fast and technical.
