Current Conditions Report

18 Feb 2010

Provo River

Finally, after a long cold winter in which the fish have been grouped together in the deeper pools and slower water, the fishing is improving. Not that there hasn’t been some good fishing available throughout the winter, because there has, but the fish are now dispersing slightly in response to the many insects that are rapidly becoming more and more active. We are now seeing multiple species of midges hatching on all sections of the Provo River, and we are fishing the dries, emergers, larva and pupa. Some of the best flies have been different color variations of the nemo, in particular, the light olive nemo tied with olive silk thread and the gray nemo which uses a jasper underbody and a gray silk overlay.

We have been seeing random baetis hatching over the past few weeks. The first few blue winged olives of the year seem to provoke rumors surrounding the idea that the “hatch is on”. Yes, there are baetis around, and yes we have been catching a few fish on them but it is still in the early stages. The hatch will continue to progress and if this year is anything like the past few years on the Provo River, we are in for a good hatch. Look for it to be quite strong within a couple of weeks. I am speculating of course based on what I have seen, but bear in mind that Mother Nature usually doesn’t like to make fisherman look good when they forecast hatches.

With all of the activity, it is best to be well armed with the midge imitations that are present now as well as a couple of blue winged olive nymphs and dries. Additionally, we have done well on two colors of sow bugs. We have needed to tie a rainbow sow bug with a fluorescent red head, and a tan sow bug that is a size smaller than we normally use. Both are working well when fished in combination with the above mentioned nymphs.

Green River

The temperatures on the Green are becoming tolerable and the midge hatches have been fantastic mid day. Some days are producing multiple hatches of midges. Usually morning and mid-day and occasionally again in the evening. Midge dries as well as cluster midges are working well, but a midge emerger with a trailing shuck is one of my favorites.