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Provo River - September 7, 2010
Report by Steve Schmidt
Mixed weather has brought a mix of fishing to the Provo River system. Overall it is still quite good. Terrestrials still are consistently producing, PMD's, Tricos and Caddis. Plenty of insect activity to keep you guessing once in a while and to keep the river browns fat and sassy! September so far has been quite good, which is what we expected. Kids are back in school, the leaves on the tree are beginning to change, it coming up on that magical time of the year. Although the season is winding down, there is still some of the best flyfishing before us. We're excited about it, we hope you are as well. What to expect: Probably the biggest change to the Provo River system is the color of the Lower Provo River. If you fished it over the holiday weekend, you will notice it has a rather nice color to it. That's probably because the lake has turned over. Not unusual this time of year, but it does seem to have a little more color than normal. Flows on both sections remain about the same and typical for early September: Middle Provo is 304 ft3/s, the Lower Provo is 467 ft3/s. Terrestrials continue to produce some of the more spectacular fishing, especially hoppers. It is a little later than usual and we should see good results from fishing hoppers, ants and beetles throughout this month, unless we start to get a lot of cool weather passing through the northeastern part of the state. Not typical for this time of year. We still have good and consistent PMDs and caddis hatches that are producing at times excellent dry fly, nymph and soft hackle fishing. Although both of these insects have peaked and are a little sporadic, they are still producing excellent flyfishing opportunities. As long as we continue to have good PMD hatches, expect morning and evening spinner falls if you are on the water at those times. You will most likely find fish up to these dying mayflies in those area of the river where the water is a little slower and somewhat calm. Caddis hatches have peaked, but they are still dependable fishing early in the day or staying late for. Depending on the weather, expect this insect to be on the water just about any time of day. Riffle water during the heat of the day is the type of water and structure I look for in the heat of the afternoon for emerging caddis. Morings and evenings I prefer areas that are heavily vegatated.
Bug Stuff: PMD's, Tricos and a variety of caddis flies are providing excellent fishing. New to the mix are the Trico, small little mayflies with black bodies and clear wings. The spinners produce the best fishing in the morning. The duns: Females emerge in the evening, males in the morning. On Silver Creek and the Henry's Fork these mayflies produce pods of rising trout. We're not quite there yet on the Provo River or the Green where they also occur, but may get there. Terrestrials are also an important factor as I have eluded to, and that will hold true well into September. Ants and beetles are as important as hoppers and often get overlooked as viable producers. At the moment, we are having the best success with smaller hopper patterns; #12-#14. A larger hopper pattern will produce, but generally you will get fewer fish. PMD's continue to pop on both sections of the Provo and are providing really great dry fly and nymph fishing. At this late juncture you should have #16 & #18. Expect spinners on the water around 7 or 8am. By late morning the nymphs will become active, and expect duns early afternoon and lasting until late into the day. I prefer cripple or emerger patterns to have the best success in those sections of the Provo River that are calm and slow flowing. In the faster sections, where there is some structure to the current, sparkle duns or extended body patterns. Caddis are also doing quite well and are holding up as we end the month. Having a #14 tan and a #16 Olive pattern will cover the bulk of the hatches we are currently fishing. A little more variety in your pattern sizes will add to your success, but these colors and sizes are the bread and butter of our selections. Although caddis hatches occur late afternoons there are other opportunities to fish them as well. First light is one of the very best
We just got more of signed copies of Rene Harrop's new book: Learning from the Water. Truly a great read. I would have to say that his and Spring Creeks, by Mike Lawson are two of the better books written in the last few years. By the number of copies we have sold of both, that support that. Great entomology, flyfishing philosophies, and insight on techniques and approach to the sport. Its a great time to be on the water. Hatches are somewhat compressed due to the change in the season on somewhat less prolific overall, but still regardless of the techniques you enjoy using, you will find them productive. Enjoy!
Patterns you'll want to have for the Provo River: Dry Flies: for the upcoming plethora of hatches here are some patterns we recommend. Don't get caught without a some variety of patterns given all that will be hatching thru June. Dry Emrgers: Last Chance Cripple PMD, PMD CDC Captive Dun , CDC Last Chance Cripple Drake, Drake Quiggly Cripple, Hair Wing Dun, Split Back PMD, Lawsons Emerging Caddis, Blooms Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Spent Partridge Caddis, Sylves Emerging Caddis (love this pattern). Nymphs: Beaverhead PMD, Greg's Cased Caddis, Sow Bugs, Olive/Natural WD-40's, Pheasant Tails, Green Caddis Larvae, Betts Free Living Caddis, Yuba Pupa.
Streamers: With the shorter days, leaves beginning to turn, the peak of streamer season is approaching. It's been good this year, but will get even better over the next 60 days. For those who focus on streamers all years round, this time of year for brown trout especially doesn't get much better. Sex Dungeons (Orange) This is also a very good pattern selection for Lower Provo River or wherever you may wander in Utah or the West this time of year.
Hope you are getting out some. The surrent forecast is a little rough, but by the beginning of the week the weather is going to improve. If we can assist you as you head out the door please either contact us info@wrflyfisher.com or (801)521-6424,or better yet stop in.
If you want to learn more about fishing the Provo River this time of year, I can think of few other ways than taking a Provo River Guide trip with one of our licensed and insured Provo River Guides. They are excellent teachers and very good flyfishers in their own right. They would enjoy nothing better than helping you improve your skills and working to make your day a great success. Visit our website for rates and more information of guiding the Provo River.
If you are visiting from out of state and don't have time to visit the shop before heading over to the Green the following link will take you to where you can get an On-Line Utah Fishing License. You'll also be able to secure additional helpful information regarding the states fishing.
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