Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam) Fishing Guide
Utah
The Flaming Gorge tailwater, one of the premier tailwater trout fisheries in the West, with an estimated 10,000 fish per mile, mostly brown and rainbow trout.
Part of the Green River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam) for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. In November, rainbow trout and brown trout are prime, and for brown trout and rainbow trout, Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start.
There are 5 shops nearby (1 fly, 4 bait and tackle), including Western Rivers Flyfisher Guides in Dutch John. Also nearby: Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Season at a Glance
JFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Cutthroat Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Mountain Whitefish
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower No Agency Season Found
Prime From Water Temperature: measured at USGS gauge 09234500, set against FWS temperature ranges for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout (our reading)How We Read It
Season Rules & Licenses
- Green River from Flaming Gorge Dam to the Colorado line: 3 trout (2 under 15 inches and 1 over 22 inches); all trout 15 to 22 inches must be released; artificial flies and lures only; no fishing from a motorboat. Burbot, northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye: no limit and must be killed. UDWR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need an Utah fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Green River
- Main PageGreen RiverThe Green River from Wyoming's Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge below Fontenelle Reservoir, through the Flaming Gorge tailwater in Utah, to Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, where catfish and smallmouth bass replace trout.
- Rivers & Streams · WyomingGreen River (Fontenelle)The Green River below Fontenelle Reservoir in Wyoming, which Wyoming Game and Fish says produces exceptional rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish, much of it through Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge.
- Rivers & Streams · Utah · You're HereGreen River (Flaming Gorge Dam)The Flaming Gorge tailwater, one of the premier tailwater trout fisheries in the West, with an estimated 10,000 fish per mile, mostly brown and rainbow trout.
- Rivers & Streams · UtahGreen River (Ouray)The Green River at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, where the refuge says the primary fishing is for catfish and smallmouth bass, with a boat launch a mile above refuge headquarters.
Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam) Species
Species per UDWR: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Mountain Whitefish; USFS: Cutthroat Trout.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Rainbow Trout
Prime Now · May to Nov
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam):
- Western Rivers Flyfisher Guides, Dutch JohnWebsite
- Trout Creek Flies, Dutch JohnWebsite
- Christenson's Lake Shore Tackle, ManilaWebsite
Map of Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
46°F high, 22°F low
About 0.5 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,540 cfs
Most years 848 cfs to 2,911 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 2 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 09234500, 1963 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam)
Source: Utah Geospatial Resource Center, Utah Boat Ramps. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Green River (Flaming Gorge Dam)
GuideFly Fishing
Old Moe Guide Service
Dutch John, Utah
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Green River Outfitters
Dutch John, Utah
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
