Introduction

The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is perhaps the best tailwater fishery in the U.S., if not the top fishery, period.  Located in northeast Utah, it holds over 30 miles of water that can be floated and fished from shore.  The river passes through a beautiful red canyon, and this topography makes for impressive pools.  Peer into the clear, greenish depths and you will understand how a 30-lb. leviathan of a brown trout was caught here in 1996.  Self-reproducing browns averaging over 16 inches dominate, but are accompanied by stocked rainbows and some cutthroats.  As if the fishing itself weren't enough, the surrounding area, including the lake, is gorgeous.  Like other tailwaters, the river is stuffed with insects and can be fished year-round.  Looking for a rod-snapping brown in deep, swirling water?  Want a river with scenery as breathtaking as the angling possibilities?  Hit the Green and make sure you bring your camera.  How can you pass up a place with pools named Kong's Bed and Dead Man Rapids?

Green River Fly Fishing

Character

The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is classic tailwater, with stable water temperatures that promote dense insect life and thus prime trout habitat.  The river can be divided into three sections: 

Upper Section ("A Section" or "Red Canyon Stretch")  

This 7-mile stretch from the dam to Little Hole is the most popular owing to the water clarity and abundance of fish.  The scenery doesn't hurt either, as you will be surrounded by 1000 - 2000 foot red canyon walls.  The first half of the stretch is generally flat and deep (ideal for floating) but there are several big Class II and Class III rapids.  The second half is more rapid and contains some nice pocket water, with shallow areas that are well-suited for wading.  Conveniently for boaters, a boat launch exists 1/4 mile below the dam and take-out area is located at Little Hole.  On summer weekends, recreational boaters invade the entire stretch.  If you wish to wade, trails line most of this section (all the way down to Little Hole) and camping is available.  

Middle Section ("B Section" or "Devil's Hole")

This 8-mile section from Little Hole to Indian Crossing in Brown's Park is much less crowded, but also holds a considerable amount of fish.  Three miles downstream, Red Creek can turn the water murky or 

even unfishable after rainfall.  The Red Creek area also introduces some Class III rapids, so take care if floating.  The canyon widens in this area but does not completely disappear.  The result is some flatter terrain and improved wading conditions.  The foot trail ends about 3 miles below Little Hole.  Lower Stretch ("C Section" or "Browns Park")  

This final 17-mile zone holds perhaps the largest fish, but the quality of fishing is not as consistent.  It is also the least crowded of the three stretches.  The water and surrounding terrain is flatter than the upper stretches, but this can mean stronger winds.  The flat water makes for easy floating, but much of this section is also open to wading.  The stretch ends at the Utah/Colorado border.

Accessibility & Directions (get driving directions)

Access varies by stretch.  The easiest access points are the boat ramp 1/4 mile below the dam and the Little Hole area, both of which have paved roads.  The road to Brown's Park is 26 miles from the highway and most of it is dirt.  Otherwise, a maintained foot trail lines all of the A section and terminates nearly 3 miles into the B section.  Closest facilities (lodging, restaurants) are at Flaming Gorge Lodge and in Dutch John, both several miles from Flaming Gorge Dam.  Vernal, 35 miles away, is the nearest sizable town with hotel and restaurant chains.  Salt Lake City has the closest major airport and is 200 miles west.  Check out our list of fly shops.  Click here to get driving directions to Flaming Gorge Dam.  

When & How to Fish

The Green River can either be waded or floated, and fished year-round.  Blue-Winged Olives appear from late March to late May, and are the first major hatch of the season (and probably the most important).  Cicadas provide food in May and June, but their availability varies from year to year.  In July and August, caddis hatch on the Red Canyon stretch, Pale Morning Duns come off in the Brown's Park stretch, and midges and terrestrials can work in all places.  Blue-Winged Olives return in the fall.  Scuds can work year-round.  For the monsters, try a streamer or other minnow imitation.  Water flow is highest in spring and winter.  For more advice on when and how to fish, check out the books and fly shops below.  We appreciate your input on this page.  Please e-mail us.