Green River Fly Fishing Guides at Dutch John Resort
Trophy trout adventures on the legendary Green River tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam. Wild fish, gin-clear water, and Dutch John fishing guides who know every run.
The Green River Gallery
Tap any photo to bring it front and center, or use the arrows to move through the collection of days on the water around Dutch John and the canyon. There is more to see in the full Dutch John Resort photo gallery.
Your Green River Fly Fishing Team
Welcome to the premier basecamp for Green River fly fishing guides and world-class fishing on the legendary Green River. This tailwater runs cold and clear below the dam, and it is known across the United States as one of the finest trout fisheries anywhere. Our team at Dutch John Resort puts you on wild trout, big rainbows, and the kind of day on the water that keeps guests coming back year after year.
We run trips across every section of the river:
- 1 day float trips
- 2 day float trips
- 3 day float trips
Fish from a drift boat or wade the banks, with expert instruction on casting, reading current, and landing fish. Whether you are driving up from Vernal, Salt Lake City, or beyond, this is a bucket list fishery and the kind of outdoor adventure that anglers plan a whole year around.
What Your Guided Trip Includes
Our team handles every detail so you can focus on the fly.
- Expert drift boat navigation through the best runs on the river
- Premium fly rod, reel, and floating line setup
- Proven fly selections including scud, midge, and hopper patterns
- All terminal tackle, leaders, and tippet
- Fresh lunch and drinks on the water, often served streamside at a shaded picnic table
- Help securing your Utah fishing license
- Instruction in casting, mending, and playing fish
Every trip is built to maximize your time on the Green River and put you on trophy trout, with the amenities at Dutch John Resort waiting for you at the takeout.
Year Round Green River Fishing
The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is one of the most consistent tailwaters in North America. Stable flows and water temperatures from the low 40s to around 60°F support thousands of wild fish across nearly every river mile.
Spring brings prime dry fly fishing as midge and cicada hatches fire. Summer adds hopper action along the banks. Fall means aggressive trout and low pressure, with October a favorite for chasing big fish through the canyon. Winter holds reliable midge hatches and technical fly fishing for anglers who want the river to themselves. Our notes on winter fly fishing on the Green River cover what changes once the cold sets in.
Unlike freestone streams that blow out with runoff, this tailwater holds steady all year, which is why Dutch John stays busy in every season. Check current conditions on our fishing reports and flow release page before you head out.
Green River Fishing Sections
Dam to Little Hole
Runs about seven miles from below the dam through Red Canyon. Highest density of trout on the river, with gin clear water ideal for sight fishing. Best for dry fly work and technical presentations, with rainbow, cutthroat, and wild trout in calm runs and riffles. Breathtaking views of the canyon walls come standard.
Little Hole to Browns Park
This boat access section offers varied structure and productive holding lies. Look to Indian Crossing, side channels, and deeper runs for nymphing and streamer fishing across quiet miles of canyon, with a few riverside campgrounds tucked along the way.
Down to Swallow Canyon
This remote stretch near Red Creek offers solitude and a shot at larger, more selective fish. Lower trout density but bigger average size, with slower, scenic floating.
Trophy Trout on the Green River
The Green River holds one of the most productive wild trout populations in North America. With no stocking since the 1960s, every fish you land is naturally reproducing. Over 100,000 wild fish live here, with strong numbers of brown trout and rainbows and rich insect life that feeds them all year. From the Flaming Gorge tailwater to the lower canyon, the river gives up trophy class fish mile after mile. If you are timing a fall trip, our article on when brown trout spawn explains what the fish are doing through October and November.
Methods and Regulations
Artificial flies and lures only
Barbless hooks required for safe handling of fish
Boat fishing is the preferred method
Dry fly and nymphing both produce all season
We walk you through everything from fly selection to presentation. Want to prep before your trip? Browse our fishing resources and articles.
Gear and Rentals
Fishing gear is available to buy or rent at our Orvis endorsed fly shop at Dutch John Resort. A 9 foot 5 weight rod with a floating line covers most days on the river. If you have a preferred pro, ask for them when you book, and if not we will pair you with someone who can dial in your cast and rig you for the conditions.
Not just here to fish? We also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys and gear so the whole crew can get out on the water. There is plenty here for every outdoor enthusiast in the group, and if the group wants a day off the fly rod, start with our tips on how to plan a Flaming Gorge rafting day.
Plan Your Days on the Water
Live Conditions
Fishing Reports & Flows
Read the report →
Learn & Prep
Fishing Resources & Articles
Explore guides →
Get on the Water
Water Toy Rentals
See rentals →Between float days, Dutch John is a hub for hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities across the surrounding canyon country.
Booking Your Trip
Call Dutch John Resort at (435) 848-8000 to book your Green River fishing and guide service at Flaming Gorge. For dates showing not available and groups of two or more, please call during daytime hours to lock in your guided fishing. Our team can take reservations for your trip and your room in the same call and answer any information you need before you leave home.
Your guide calls you the night before your first day of fishing to arrange the exact start and finish time.
Full day service, about 8 hours
Starts range from 7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Your guide calls you the night before your first day of fishing to set the exact start and finish time
At the allotted time for your half day or full day guide service
Included for easy transport
Advance payment secures your date
All fly fishing gear provided, including wading boots
Planning and Nearby Options
Guests comparing Green River outfitters often look at Provo River Guide Service, Spinner Fall Guide Service, and lodging like Flaming Gorge Resort or Red Canyon Lodge. Booking your guide and your room together at Dutch John Resort keeps you steps from the river and the fly shop, and our on-site amenities, which include cabins and motel rooms, an RV park with full hookup RV sites, a restaurant, a convenience store, a gas station, and an ice cream shop, mean you never have to drive for dinner or fuel. It is a location built for comfort after a long day in the boat, whether you are a solo traveler, a couple on a family vacation, or a crew of campers rolling in with trailers.
We sit in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, surrounded by national forest and close to the Gorge Reservoir, so campgrounds are everywhere you look. Firefighters Memorial Campground sits just up the road, and Forest Service campgrounds along the canyon offer rustic charm, a picnic table at every site, and quiet nights under the stars. If you would rather camp than book a room, pick a site nearby and still use the resort for gear, meals, and relaxation. Compared with hotels an hour away, staying here is the perfect place to wake up minutes from the boat ramp.
The Green River starts up in Wyoming and carves south through Utah toward Colorado, and the surrounding wildlife management area supports abundant wildlife beyond the trout. The Flaming Gorge visitors center is worth a stop for maps and current conditions, Dinosaur National Monument is an easy day trip south, and Vernal is the nearest hub for flights and supplies. Between float days there is hiking, boating, and enough lodging options in the area that every group finds the right fit. Anglers curious about the reservoir can also read up on kokanee salmon in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
Book Your Green River Fly Fishing Trip
Whether you are a seasoned angler or brand new to the sport, our guides deliver a premium day every time. Lots of first timers land the fish of a lifetime here. Book your trip at Dutch John Resort and make some lasting memories on the Green River.