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Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam

Prepared for: Dutch John Resort
Report Date: April 27, 2026

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Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam

Report Overview

This week delivers some of the best conditions of the season on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. This Green River fishing report covers conditions, water temp, hatches, and section by section intel so you can plan your trip with confidence. Levels below Flaming Gorge Dam remain stable, the water is cold, and wild trout are feeding hard subsurface. One big change is on the horizon. The Bureau of Reclamation has announced a large water release that could reshape Green River flows in the coming weeks.

The Trout Creek Flies staff compile the on the water intel behind this weekly river report, and the Dutch John Resort team pairs it with lodging, guided fishing, and rafting so you can plan your fly fishing on the Green River the moment conditions line up. Bookmark this Green River fishing report and check back each week before you head out.

Hydrology and Dam Operations

Flaming Gorge Reservoir data from the Bureau of Reclamation shows a stable system heading into a planned release. Here is where the numbers sit for the current water year.

Metric

Reading

Reservoir Elevation

6,022.77 ft, 17 ft below full pool

Storage Capacity

82 percent, about 3.0M acre feet

Current Flows

about 850 to 870 CFS, stable

Inflow Range

187 to 1,630 CFS

Water Year Inflows

74 percent of average

Green River flows are stable right now, but increases are expected soon as Flaming Gorge Dam ramps up output.

Critical Advisory on the Upcoming Flow Increase

The Bureau of Reclamation plans to move a large volume of water out of Flaming Gorge Reservoir through Flaming Gorge Dam over the next year.

Detail

Outlook

Planned Release

660,000 to 1,000,000 acre feet over 12 months

Projected Flow

up to about 1,600 CFS by early May

Timing

changes could begin in late April

Early Impact

initial increases may slow fishing due to debris and moss

This release is tied to conditions across the broader Colorado River Basin, where downstream reservoirs like Lake Powell influence how much water moves through the Green River drainage each season.

Water Temp Readings

Cold water is keeping the subsurface bite strong. Water temperature across the tailwater is holding in the low to mid 40s.

Section

Water Temp

Section A near the Dam

44 to 46 F

Mid River

42 to 46 F

Section C

46 to 48 F

Cold water temp means a strong subsurface bite. The best fishing window runs 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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Section Breakdown

Section A from the Dam to Little Hole

Seven miles of the most productive fishing spots on the river. Conditions are excellent with trout density up to 20,000 trout per mile, a big reason this stretch draws fly fishing traffic from across the region for its wild trout.

Best tactics for this section.

  • Deep nymphing is the most productive approach
  • BWO emergers in the afternoon
  • Light streamer work early and late

Hatches to watch. Midges in the morning, BWOs from midday into the afternoon.

Section B from Little Hole to Indian Crossing

Conditions are good to excellent with slightly faster water and more structure. Rainbow trout and brown trout hold tight to the seams here, and trout numbers stay high through this stretch.

Best tactics for this section.

  • Indicator nymphing
  • Soft hackles in the riffles
  • Dry flies during the BWO hatch

Hazard to know. Red Creek Rapid is a Class III, and Red Creek can push silt in during runoff, so scout before running.

Section C from Indian Crossing to Swallow Canyon

Conditions are fair to good. This is wide, slower water with spooky fish, and streamer fishing shines early and late.

Best tactics for this section.

  • Streamers as the primary play
  • Dry dropper setups
  • Fish early morning and evening

Take out at Swallow Canyon. Longer floats past this point yield diminishing returns.

Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam
Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam

Rafting Conditions

At around 850 CFS the river makes for an ideal float.

Factor

Status

Difficulty

mostly Class I to II

Water Temp

very cold, 42 to 46 F

Currents

slightly stronger if releases increase

Safety tips. Wear a PFD, dress for cold water immersion, and expect stronger current if the Flaming Gorge Dam release ramps up.

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Recommended Fly Patterns

These are the fishing patterns producing right now.

Dry flies. BWO Cripples #18, CDC Emergers #18, Griffith’s Gnat #20, ants and terrestrials #14 to 22.

Nymphs. Zebra Midge #18 to 24, Pheasant Tail #16 to 20, Frenchie #16 to 18, Pat’s Rubber Legs #8 to 10.

Streamers. Woolly Bugger #6 to 8, sculpin patterns, articulated leeches.

Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam
Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam

Gear Recommendations

Item

Recommendation

Rod

9 ft 5 weight as the primary

Tippet

4X to 7X, 6X ideal for clear water

Leaders

9 to 12 ft for nymphing, 12 ft plus for dry flies

Streamer Setup

6 to 8 weight with sink tip line

Tactical Tips

Morning. Deep nymphing with midge patterns.

Midday. Watch for rising fish and switch to emergers and dry flies.

Afternoon. Prime BWO hatch window.

Evening. Streamer fishing along the banks.

Pro tips. Mend constantly, use long leaders, and stay stealthy because these trout are easily spooked. When you spot rising fish, slow down and match the hatch before you cast.

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Snowpack and Water Outlook

Low snowpack is the driver behind the coming dam releases. Here is how the current water year is shaping up.

Measure

Reading

Upper Basin Snowpack

51 percent of normal

Lower Basin Snowpack

31 percent of normal

System Storage

36 percent capacity

The upper Green River drainage and the lower Green River drainage are both running below average, and upstream at Fontenelle Reservoir the same trend holds. Lower snowpack is driving the need for more water moving through Flaming Gorge Dam.

Regional Context and Resources

For anglers tracking the wider region, the Green River sits within the Colorado River Basin alongside other Utah fisheries. If you are planning a longer trip, our lake reports and notes on nearby waters like the Weber River help round out your options. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources publishes the current fish list, recent fish plants, and state freshwater records, and the Forest Service manages much of the access and campgrounds around Dutch John.

River Intel Weekly is our fly fishing report for the tailwater, and this River Intel summary is refreshed every week so your plans track live conditions.

Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam
Green River Fishing Report for Flaming Gorge Dam

Week Ahead Forecast

Category

Outlook

Flows

stable now, possible increase late week

Water Temp

42 to 46 F

Fishing

excellent

Weather

cool mornings, mild afternoons

Rafting

ideal

Bottom Line

This is one of the best weeks of the season to fish the Green River before flows increase. Stable water, strong nymphing, and an active BWO hatch all line up right now. Get on the water before conditions change.

To lock in a guide, contact Trout Creek Flies or book guided fishing and lodging with the Dutch John Resort front desk. Full weekly reports live at troutcreekflies.com.

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