The Weekly Fishing Report

Here is the weekly fishing report for the Flaming Gorge as well as the river below the Dam.

Flaming Gorge

Surface Temp: 70

Kokanee Salmon- Fishing is fair to good. The reservoir has risen seven feet this spring and water temperatures have climbed to 70 degrees F. Kokanee have started moving down in the water column, preferring deeper, cooler water. The early morning bite is most consistent, but some anglers have done well later in the day along the shade of the main channel. Most of the fish caught this week came from 30 to 60 feet and 1.6 to 2.2 mph, but watch your fish finder and adjust your lure depth to where you’re marking fish. Smaller spoons (#1 Needlefish, Vipers), squids (pink, orange) and dodgers (silver/pink or orange) are working best. Tip lures with Gulp maggots, mealworms or corn.

Rainbow Trout– Fishing is fair. You might catch some cutthroat trout, too. Fishing is good in the canyon along the shore using bait or casting small jigs and spinners. Marabou jigs in earth tone colors are a good option in shallow or deep water. If you’re fishing from a boat, try casting jigs near creek inlets and shallow points, or trolling pop gear at 10 to 20 feet deep along the shoreline. Cicada patterns are also working well, especially in Hideout Bay. If you’re fishing from shore, cast parallel to the shoreline, let the bait sink some and slowly retrieve with occasional jigging strokes. When you catch one, there are likely more. Pinch down the barbs for quick release.

Lake Trout–  Fishing is fair to good. Anglers are catching smaller lake trout (pups) while trolling for kokanee salmon or jigging in 50 to 80 feet of water near main channel points and ridges. Fish can be found suspended above the bottom using a fish finder. Troll spoons like Williams Wablers, Northland Forage Minnows and Needlefish or crankbaits like Rapalas to target aggressive pups. Vertically jig a white or glow-n-the-dark tube jig or jigging spoon (Northland Buckshot), tipped with sucker/chub meat. Gulp minnows and blade baits (Sebile Vibrato) can also work well.

Smallmouth Bass- Fish have moved into their summer time homes.   Look for fish in 10-20 feet of water on rocky points and shelves.  For smaller fish, great for kids, fish shallow rock piles with curly tale jigs in crawdad colors.

Burbot- Fair Fishing.  No recent report.  The best activity will be found at night using glow-in-the-dark lures like Yamamoto grubs, Radical Glow tubes,  Maniac Cutterbugs, and Northland Buckshot spoons.  Tip the lure with sucker/chub meat, recharge glow frequently, and jug the presentation a couple inches from the bottom.

Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam

Flows: 3800 dropping to 2400 over the next couple of days.

Hatches: Caddis, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s

 

Dry Flies-  Dry fly fishing has turned hot as the water drops.  This is the best the top water fishing has been all season.  It should last another couple of weeks.

Nymph Fishing– Fish Caddis and Sally nymphs in pocket water and seams.  In slower water fish small scuds behind a caddis or Sally.

Streamer Fishing has remained productive.  White and Ginger have become go to colors.  Fish slow and deep through big seams and back eddies.