Provo River Utah Hatch Chart

North-central Utah, from the Uinta Mountains above Heber City through Provo Canyon to Utah Lake. The Provo River is Utah's premier trout fishery - a productive and accessible river that flows through two distinct character zones divided by Jordanelle Reservoir. Both sections offer excellent fishing and the river is within easy reach of Salt Lake City, making it one of the most heavily fished tailwaters in the Intermountain West.

Check current Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regulations before you go. The Provo has special regulations including catch-and-release-only sections, artificial lures and flies only restrictions, and slot limits that vary by section and year. Verify current rules for your target water.

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

The two sections

Upper Provo - Woodland to Jordanelle Reservoir

The upper river from Woodland downstream to Jordanelle is a freestone stream flowing through open meadows and willowed banks in the Heber Valley. Smaller water than the middle section - wading is easy and the river is intimate in character. Wild brown trout dominate with some rainbows. The upper Provo is less pressured than the middle section and rewards the angler willing to explore. Hatches are typical of a high-elevation freestone stream - caddis, PMDs, hoppers, and BWO. The upper river is susceptible to runoff in May and June - check conditions before planning a spring trip.

Middle Provo - Jordanelle Dam to Deer Creek Reservoir

The middle Provo below Jordanelle Dam through Provo Canyon is the signature section - a cold, clear tailwater flowing through a dramatic limestone canyon accessible from US-189. Wild brown and rainbow trout averaging 14-18 inches with larger fish throughout. The tailwater character keeps temperatures stable year-round and produces consistent hatches. PMDs, caddis, and BWO are the primary dry-fly hatches. The middle Provo sees heavy pressure from the Wasatch Front population center - fish early morning, weekdays, and the less-accessible canyon stretches for the best experience. Catch-and-release, artificial only through much of the prime water.

Year at a glance - middle Provo (tailwater)

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges Small nymphs 20-26
Feb Midges, BWO Small nymphs 18-22
Mar BWO, midges Early caddis 16-22
Apr BWO, caddis PMD start late month BWO 16-20, caddis 14-16
May PMD, caddis, BWO March Brown PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jun PMD, caddis, yellow sally Golden stone, hoppers start PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jul PMD, caddis, hoppers Yellow sally, ants PMD 16-18, hopper 8-12
Aug Caddis, hoppers, PMD Ants, beetles, trico Hopper 8-12, caddis 14-16
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 18-24
Dec Midges Small nymphs 20-26

January

The middle Provo tailwater fishes year-round and January is midge season. Cold, clear water and fish concentrated in the slower runs and deeper pools. Focus on the flatter sections in the canyon - present midges slowly on a tight drift. The upper river is largely dormant in January.

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

February

BWO begin on overcast afternoons on the middle Provo - the tailwater's stable temperatures mean hatches can start earlier than nearby freestone streams. Midges continue throughout the day. One of the better winter dry-fly options along the Wasatch Front.

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

March

BWO hatches strengthen through March on the middle Provo. Gray days in Provo Canyon can trigger outstanding afternoon hatches with rising fish along the entire canyon run. Early caddis begin by late month. The upper river starts to come alive in March on mild days.

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

April

Caddis season opens in earnest in April on both sections. BWO continue on overcast days. The upper Provo is subject to runoff in April - check flows before visiting. The middle canyon section is more protected from runoff effects due to Jordanelle regulation. PMDs can begin by late April in warm years.

May

The prime season opens on the middle Provo in May. PMDs begin in earnest and caddis continue into the evenings. BWO on overcast days. The upper river may still be affected by runoff in May - the middle section fishes reliably throughout. This is one of the best months on the middle Provo before summer crowds and heat arrive.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings with a PMD nymph dropper.
  • Caddis - 14-16 afternoons and evenings. Elk hair.
  • BWO on overcast days. Parachute BWO.

June

PMDs peak in June on the middle Provo - morning hatches with rising fish throughout the canyon. Caddis evenings are strong. Yellow sallies begin in the riffles. Golden stones are present in the upper river and lower canyon. The upper Provo clears from runoff by mid-June in most years and comes into prime condition. Pressure builds significantly on weekends - fish early.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings. One of the Provo's signature hatches.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in the riffles. See dry flies.
  • Golden stone - 6-10 in the upper river and lower canyon sections.

July

PMDs continue into July on the middle Provo - a longer PMD window than most Utah rivers. Hoppers begin along the willowed banks of the upper river and the grassy canyon margins. Caddis evenings remain strong. Ants and beetles fill the midday window. July is the busiest month on the Provo - fish early morning or late evening to avoid crowds.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Early hoppers along the banks - hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in the riffles.

August

Hopper fishing peaks in August on both sections. The upper Provo fishes exceptionally well in August - the willowed meadow banks concentrate hopper-eating fish and the pressure is less than the canyon. Caddis evenings continue on the middle section. Trico spinner falls begin on the flatter sections of the upper river by mid-month. Monitor water temperatures on the middle Provo in August - the canyon can warm and fish may seek deeper, cooler water.

  • Hoppers - 8-12. Hoppers and terrestrials along the banks. Hopper-dropper with a small nymph.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Ants and beetles midday. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Trico - 20-24 on flat upper river sections in the morning.

September

September is the best month on the Provo. Crowds thin after Labor Day, BWO return with the cooling temperatures, hoppers continue through mid-month, and the canyon is at its most beautiful. The fall BWO hatch on the middle Provo can be outstanding - dense afternoon hatches in the canyon with fish rising in every seam. Mahogany duns add an afternoon option.

  • 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.

October

Fall BWO fishing is excellent through October - the middle Provo canyon comes alive on gray afternoons. October caddis add a large dry-fly option on warmer days. Midges reassert themselves as the primary food source by late month. Brown trout begin pre-spawn movement and streamers produce the largest fish of the year in the canyon runs.

  • BWO - 16-20. The dominant hatch. Parachute BWO.
  • October caddis - 8-10 on warmer afternoons.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast days.
  • Streamers for pre-spawn browns - streamers in the deeper canyon runs.

November

BWO and midges on the middle section. The upper river slows significantly in November. The canyon fishes well on mild days with very few other anglers - November is one of the most underrated months on the Provo for those willing to make the drive.

  • BWO - 16-20 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 20-24. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Small nymphs on a tight-line rig through the deeper slots.

December

Back to the winter midge program on the middle section. The tailwater character keeps the canyon fishable year-round - December on the Provo is a quiet, productive experience for the prepared angler. Focus on the slower runs adjacent to the main channel seams.

  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and small nymphs subsurface. Midge cluster dry when fish are dimpling.
  • BWO on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season on both sections. Add a dedicated midge selection for winter and early spring, and a hopper box for July through September. The Provo rewards early risers - the best dry-fly fishing on the middle section happens in the first two hours of daylight before other anglers arrive.