Green River Utah Hatch Chart

Northeastern Utah, below Flaming Gorge Dam near Dutch John. The Green River is one of the premier tailwater fisheries in the American West - a cold, clear, nutrient-rich river flowing through the high desert canyon country of the Uinta Mountains before crossing into Colorado. Flaming Gorge Dam creates ideal year-round trout habitat with stable temperatures and exceptional water clarity. The result is trophy-class brown and rainbow trout in extraordinary numbers, with fish averaging 15-20 inches and specimens over 24 inches present throughout the system.

Check current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regulations before you go. The Green River below Flaming Gorge has special regulations including catch-and-release-only sections, artificial lures and flies only restrictions, and slot limits that vary by section. The river flows through the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area - verify current rules before fishing.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.

The three sections

Section A - Little Hole to the dam (7 miles)

The premier section. From the base of Flaming Gorge Dam downstream 7 miles to Little Hole, Section A flows through a narrow, spectacular canyon accessible only by foot trail or drift boat. The coldest, clearest water on the river - temperatures rarely exceed 55 degrees even in August. The highest density of large fish on the Green River, with browns and rainbows averaging 16-20 inches. Catch-and-release, artificial flies and lures only. The trail from the dam to Little Hole provides wade access throughout - the hike in pays dividends in fish-to-angler ratios on busy weekends. Section A is at its best early morning before day-use foot traffic arrives.

Section B - Little Hole to Indian Crossing (9 miles)

Below Little Hole the canyon opens and the character changes - more riffles, gravel bars, and wading access than Section A. Wild browns and rainbows continue in strong numbers. Harvest is allowed with slot limit restrictions - check current regulations. Less pressure than Section A on weekdays and a good option when the upper section is crowded. The Green River Lodge and several outfitters run drift trips through Section B. Hoppers and caddis are particularly productive here in summer due to the more open, grassy character.

Section C - Indian Crossing downstream

Below Indian Crossing the river transitions to a warmer, more braided character as it moves toward the Colorado border. Brown trout dominate over rainbows. Less pressure, different character, and good streamer and hopper fishing for larger browns in fall. A float trip through Section C provides access to water rarely seen by wading anglers.

Year at a glance - Sections A and B

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges Small nymphs 20-26
Feb Midges, BWO Small nymphs 18-24
Mar BWO, midges Early caddis BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Apr BWO, caddis PMD start late month BWO 16-20, caddis 14-16
May PMD, caddis, BWO Pale evening dun PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jun PMD, caddis, pale evening dun Yellow sally, hoppers start PMD 16-18, PED 16-18
Jul Caddis, hoppers, PMD Yellow sally, ants Hopper 8-12, caddis 14-16
Aug Caddis, hoppers, trico Ants, beetles, pale evening dun Hopper 8-12, trico 20-24
Sep BWO, caddis, hoppers Mahogany dun, trico BWO 16-20, hopper 8-12
Oct BWO, midges October caddis, mahogany dun BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Nov Midges, BWO Small nymphs 20-24
Dec Midges Small nymphs 20-26

January

Section A is one of the finest winter midge fisheries in the West. Stable dam-release temperatures keep fish active year-round and January crowds are minimal. Focus on the slow, deep runs in the upper canyon - fish hold in the seams adjacent to the main current. Midge clusters and larvae fished on a tight line are the primary winter approach. Look for dimpling fish in flat tailouts on mild afternoons.

  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and small Euro nymphs subsurface. Midge cluster dry in size 18-20 when fish are dimpling.
  • Small nymphs 18-22 on a tight-line rig through the deeper slots.

February

BWO begin appearing on overcast afternoons in February - the Green's tailwater character and clear water make it one of the earlier BWO rivers in Utah. Midges continue throughout the day. February can produce outstanding dry-fly fishing on the right gray afternoon in the canyon - fish rising to midges and early olives with very few other anglers present.

  • BWO - 18-22 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO when fish are rising.
  • Midges - 20-24 throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.

March

BWO hatches strengthen in March and become the primary dry-fly opportunity. Gray canyon days trigger dense afternoon hatches - the high canyon walls create overcast conditions even on partially sunny days, which suits BWO emergence. Early caddis begin by late month on the warmer Section B water. Midges continue as the subsurface anchor throughout.

  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.
  • Midges - 20-24 through the day. Red zebra midge.
  • Late March: first caddis - 14-16 on warm Section B afternoons.

April

April is a transition month on the Green - BWO continue strongly and caddis build through the month. The Green does not experience significant runoff due to dam regulation, making April reliably fishable when nearby freestone streams are blown out. PMDs can begin by late April in warm years. One of the best months to visit for dry-fly fishing with lighter pressure than the summer peak.

May

The prime dry-fly season opens in May. PMDs begin in earnest and are the Green's signature summer hatch - morning hatches with large fish rising across the flats in Section A and the riffles of Section B. Caddis continue into the evenings. Pale evening duns begin by mid-month on the flatter water. May is one of the best months on the river - excellent hatches, good weather, and lighter crowds than June and July.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings. Add a PMD nymph dropper on a two-fly rig.
  • Caddis - 14-16 afternoons and evenings. Elk hair.
  • BWO on overcast days. Parachute BWO.
  • Pale evening dun - 16-18 in the evening on flat water.

June

Peak season. PMDs continue strong and are often the primary morning hatch through June. Pale evening duns add an evening dry-fly option distinct from caddis. Yellow sallies begin in the riffles of Section B. Hoppers can start by late June along the grassy canyon margins. The Green sees its heaviest pressure of the year in June and July - fish Section A early morning for the best fish-to-angler experience, or book a midweek trip.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings. One of the Green's defining hatches.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Pale evening dun - 16-18 evenings on flat water. See dry flies.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in Section B riffles on warm afternoons.
  • Late June: first hoppers - hoppers and terrestrials along the canyon margins.

July

Hopper season arrives in July and the Green is one of Utah's premier hopper rivers - the canyon walls concentrate grasshoppers along the banks and fish take them aggressively. Caddis evenings remain strong. PMDs linger on Section A's cold water into July. Ants and beetles fill the midday window. July is the busiest month on the river - an early start on Section A before the day-use hikers arrive makes a significant difference.

  • Hoppers - 8-12. Hoppers and terrestrials hard against the canyon walls. Hopper-dropper with a small nymph.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • PMD - 16-18 on Section A mornings. Pale Morning Dun.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in Section B riffles.
  • Ants and beetles midday from hoppers and terrestrials.

August

Hopper fishing peaks in August - one of the best hopper months of any Utah river. Fish them tight to the canyon walls and undercut banks. Trico spinner falls begin on the flatter sections of Section A and B by mid-month - early morning, size 20-24, fine tippet. Caddis evenings continue. Pale evening duns linger on calm evenings. Monitor water temperatures in Section B and C in August - Section A stays cold due to dam proximity.

  • Hoppers - 8-12. Hoppers and terrestrials along the canyon walls. Hopper-dropper with a nymph dropper.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Trico - 20-24 early morning on flat sections. Fine tippet essential.
  • Ants and beetles midday. Hoppers and terrestrials.

September

September is the finest month on the Green River. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, BWO return with the cooling temperatures, hoppers continue through mid-month, and the canyon is spectacular in early fall color. The fall BWO hatch on the Green is outstanding - dense afternoon hatches in the canyon with selective but catchable fish. Mahogany duns add an afternoon option on overcast days. One of the most rewarding months to visit anywhere in the Intermountain West.

  • Hoppers through mid-September. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • Trico through mid-September on flat sections. Early morning spinner falls.

October

Fall BWO fishing strengthens through October - the best dry-fly hatches of the fall season on the Green. Midges begin reasserting themselves as temperatures drop. October caddis add a large dry-fly option on warmer afternoons in Section B and C. Streamers produce the largest fish of the year as brown trout begin pre-spawn aggression - fish the deeper canyon runs and undercut walls with articulated patterns.

  • BWO - 16-20. The dominant hatch. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 20-24 picking back up. Red zebra midge.
  • October caddis - 8-10 in Sections B and C on warmer afternoons.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast days.
  • Streamers for pre-spawn browns - streamers in the deep canyon runs and undercut walls.

November

BWO and midges dominate as the season winds down. November on the Green is exceptional for the angler who makes the trip - very few anglers, stable tailwater temperatures, and fish that are completely unpressured. The midge and BWO dry-fly fishing on mild afternoons in the canyon can be outstanding. One of the most underrated late-season destinations in the West.

  • BWO - 16-20 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and small nymphs. Midge cluster dry when fish are dimpling.
  • Small nymphs on a tight-line rig through the deeper slots.

December

Back to the winter midge program. Section A fishes reliably year-round - the dam-release temperatures keep conditions stable even in December. Focus on the slower runs and deep pools adjacent to the main channel seams. December on the Green offers some of the finest winter tailwater fishing available in the region with minimal competition.

  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and Euro nymphs subsurface. Midge cluster or Griffith's Gnat dry when fish are dimpling.
  • BWO on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Small nymphs 18-22 on a tight-line rig.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season. Add a dedicated midge selection for winter and early spring, and a hopper box for July through September. The Green rewards early risers and midweek visitors - Section A before 8am in summer is some of the finest trophy tailwater dry-fly fishing in North America.