WWFG Fishing Reports

The Flows are Coming Down

September 9, 2007

Middle Provo (499CFS)

There is some great news to report on the conditions of the Middle Provo. The water conditions on the Lower Provo coming out of Deer Creek are improving with flows dropping to around 400 CFS. Although the latest water temperature readings are in the low 60's, as anglers, we all need to rest the trout from the stress of hooking and releasing until the temperature drops to the mid 50's.

With the lower flows released from Deer Creek Dam, the Middle Provo flows are dropping consistently now. The Central Utah Water Conservancy District is reporting that the Middle has dropped to around 500 CFS and will continue to drop to more traditional flows. We can expect optimum flows for the duration of September and October. Expect the late PMD hatches we’ve been experiencing to continue, also fall Blue Wing Olives are starting to hatch on the cooler days. The combination of Caddis,PMDs,and Blue Wings should make for a fall to remember. Nymphing mayfly patterns will continue to be the “go to” technique for a while longer.

We are experiencing great hatches of Caddis and Pale Morning Duns everyday between 2:00 and 5:00 pm.This will make great dry fly fishing every afternoon. The presence of BWO’s as a new food source is driving the trout crazy. We can expect the fish to start rising to Blue Wings anytime now. The autumn season on the Provo is just beginning. It is also time to start watching for the bad attitudes of pre-spawn from the Brown's.

Make sure that you are carrying several streamer patterns to get in on this action. All signs on the river are suggesting that this fall is going to be some of the best fishing we’ve seen in quite a while. Take some time to read the water and determine which of these great hatches is going on. Be prepared for all three and get out there and catch some fish.

Lower Provo: (443cfs)

The water temperature on the Lower is beginning to drop a little bit. The water is becoming clearer and some of the weeds and algae are beginning to disappear.The fish are coming out to feed on Caddis which are hatching throughout the later part of the day. Murky water is limiting the amount of dry fly action, so concentrate on nymphing. Bright green Caddis emergers are a good bet for this stretch. You still can't go wrong with Scuds, Sowbugs, and San Juan Worms. Keep them on the small side and use several shot to get them down there. Sows and Scuds with a little flash will trigger strikes. Another option to consider on the Lower is a Mayfly nymph. There is a Blue Wing Olive hatch right around the corner so the nymphs are out and fish can't wait to eat them. It is important to note that warm water makes it tough for trout to recover when caught so keep them in the water and don't handle them too much.

Weber River (368 cfs)

Good Caddis and PMD hatches are making the Weber River between Rockport Reservoir and Echo Reservoir a popular alternative to the Provo. Rainbow Warriors and WD-40's are producing well. The browns are stacking up on the insides of bends between the white fish and the fast current. While dry fly fishing on the Weber is not the preferred method, dry and dropper setups will produce numbers of aggressive browns. Focus your time on the Weber in tailouts of big runs and in deep water on the insides of the bends.The Weber is famous for its number of Whitefish. They tend to feed on flies that create some sparkle in the water. Most trout on the Weber can be caught by sticking to natural colors like olive, brown, or black. Try bead heads on patterns like Killer Mayflies or Pheasant tails.

Cory Bastian of Four Seasons Guide Service contributes our fishing reports.