Green River, Dutch John, UT

[tanvat]

      This is the second autumn in a row I've had the good fortune to do a DIY float, fish, and camp on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir near Dutch John, UT.  Its a well-known float that gets a well-deserved rap for being a zoo in the summer.  But, by mid-September, the crowds have largely disappeared and truly great trip is there for the taking.   This year, we skipped the fabled "A Section" and floated the "B" and "C" sections below Little Hole down through Browns Park.  Saw just a handful of boats in three days - pretty awesome for one of the more popular rivers in the West.  The "C" section has a lower trout population than the upper river, but that just means there are a lot of browns instead of ridiculous numbers of fish.  As the attached pics show, at around 2000 cfs, there are miles of picture perfect grasshopper, ant, and beetle banks along the lower parts that are tailor-made for drift boat or raft.  And its an easy float, with exception of Red Creek Rapids about 5 miles below Little Hole, which is a legit Class III that takes some care.  If you can routinely put an ant or hopper within 6 inches of the grass (even closer is better) from at least 40' away, then you will catch fish.  Those fish are in some super shallow water and they just emerge from that grass as if from nowhere.  You'll usually find some BWO sippers and good streamer fishing in the evening or if its cloudy.   The floating, fishing, scenery, and camping make for a truly great 2 or even 3 night trip.  Its no secret, so I've got no problem recommending it as a trip to do at least once - highly recommended.

 

 

[curtisce]

grew up out west and use to fish Flaming Gorge as a kid. I never but my dad fished the river below. i remember being at the dam and looking down and seeing huge trout in the water below. Great trip as a DIY.