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Utah's Green River, below Flaming Gorge Reservoir, is
one of the finest trout waters in the United States.
The river consists of a trout population averaging 6000-8000
fish per mile. It flows through a deep beautiful canyon
which walls rise from the banks over three hundred feet
strait up in many areas. Large brown, rainbow, cutthroat
and hybrid trout all flourish in this big tail-water
fishery.
The Green River begins its journey at Flaming Gorge
Dam, which is a spectacular site in its self. The dam
is approximately three hundred feet high making the
parked cars below look like a view from an airplane.
Below the dam, the river flows through Red Canyon and
can be broken up into three sections. Flaming Gorge
Dam to Little Hole (section A), Little Hole to Indian
Crossings (section B), and Indian Crossings to Riverside
(section C).
"Section A" which is seven and a half miles from Flaming
Gorge Dam to Little Hole is the most popular stretch
of river. It is the easiest section to access and has
the best population of trout. Most people choose to
float this section in either a drift boat or raft because
of the access. |
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"Section B" is also a productive stretch of river with
more brown trout then any other. The browns also average
larger in size below Little Hole and get much less pressure
then the trout in "section A". The float from Little
Hole to Indian Crossings can be exceptional except after
hard rains. After these rains Red Creek, which flows
in about midway between the two access points, can make
the Green River very off color from dark colored sediment.
It may take a few days for the lower half of this stretch
to clear after hard rains. This area contains more slow
flat pools then the stretch above Little Hole although
a serious stretch of rapids makes for an interesting
float.
"Section C" is the last area people fish in the region.
This stretch, like "section B", can be off color after
hard rains because of Red Creek. It is a tremendous
stretch when the water is clear. Large browns hold
here and can offer excellent fishing when water conditions
allow. There are not as many fish in this area but
browns upwards of thirty inches have been caught here.
This area is difficult to access unless you choose
to float. The water in this lower stretch is much slower
then the water in the upper reaches below the dam.
Hatches on the Green River include Blue-winged Olives,
Tricos, Pale Morning Duns, caddis, and stoneflies.
There are also many other insects especially cicadas
and terrestrials like ants, beetles, and hoppers. Scuds
and nymphs are also very productive and what many people
fish religiously. Streamers and big woolly buggers
can work well especially in the two lower stretches
if the water is off color from Red Creek.
If you come to the Green River, make sure to stop
into one of the fly shops in the area. They will be
able to tell you what sections of river are fishing
the best. There a few Special
Regulations as well. If rains have not been a problem,
then the lower sections are nice to escape from the
crowds. During the summer weekends, the river is a
huge recreational attraction, but the trout do not
seem to mind the commotion.
Most people choose to fly into Salt Lake City and
rent a car. It is a beautiful ride from Salt Lake to
Flaming Gorge and the Green River. Make sure to bring
along a camera to take pictures of this beautiful river
and surrounding canyon. |
