If there’s a better tailwater fishery in the country during February and March than Northern Utah’s Green River, I sure don’t know what it would be. Sure it can be cold. And windy. And snowy. But hey, isn’t that part of the fun?

Located in Northeastern Utah, near the intersection with Colorado and Wyoming at the tiny trout town of Dutch John, the Green River flows from beneath Flaming Gorge Dame at a near perfect 45- to 55-degrees. This provides great conditions for going after the Green’s many rainbows and browns swimming in the 8-mile “A section” just below the dam, from the put-in down to Little Hole.

There is also a “B-section” that begins at Little Hole and tends to have fewer but larger fish, mostly browns. While you will see daily midge hatches this time of year, and more bluewing olives as the temps start to warm up, winter fishing on the Green is often a streamer fishing or nymphing affair. If you’re nymphing, be prepared to go REALLY small on this river—in the size 22 to 24 area—with scuds and various midge and emerger patterns like the Griffith’s gnat or WD40.

There is lodging, meals, shuttle services, etc., available at the Flaming Gorge Lodge, but don’t be expecting 5 Star accommodations in Dutch John—the hotel rooms are adequate but you might leave the girlfriend at home if she’s expecting to get a spa treatment while you’re out on the water. And there are several excellent guide services available, including Trout Bum2 out of Park City, (troutbum2.com), Western Rivers out of Salt Lake (wrflyfisher.com), and Denny Breer’s Trout Creek Flies in Dutch John (fishgreenriver.com).