December 13, 2012: Middle Provo River Fishing Report: Water Levels & Water Temperature

Since last Friday, water levels on the Middle Provo have dropped some and fishing conditions are back to being ideal. Water temperatures remain 42 F and quality fish can be found in deeper holding water. The weather was much more cooperative this week--overcast and a gentle breeze.

Fishing started off a bit slow, until I made two adjustments to my normal set-up. The first being a switch to a light green colored UFO, from a dark brown UFO, which I trailed to a green baetis nymph. The other switch, though the water levels dropped, was to add three more 0.12 g split shots to my current set-up and to adjust the weights a bit closer to my lead fly, in order to keep my flies closer to the river bottom. If you find the need to adjust your split-shot closer or further from your lead fly, never make the adjustment when your tippet is dry. The friction will severely weaken the line and you're likely to experience a break. I typically apply some lip balm or petroleum jelly to the line below or above where the current weights rest. I also recommend moving one split-shot at a time, so as to identify any stubborn ones that'll require a little more work--good reason why you shouldn't press a split-shot too hard onto your line. Also, it's well worth bringing a small container of petroleum jelly, which can be applied to the guides to prevent ice build-up during the cold winter months and is a cheap alternative to the "official" products that serve the same purpose.

After a short cigar break--Hoyo de Monterrey's Excalibur Dark Knight, I was back at it. The same section that I had fished thoroughly prior to the described adjustments, produced a 17 inch brown on my first cast. The brown took the light green UFO and shot upstream. I netted him, took a photo, and released him moments before I hooked into another healthy brown, though not as large as the first. I'd go on to hook into a good many more fish and unfortunately, a good many broke free.

At about a quarter to five, as I was getting ready to call it a day, the cloud cover momentarily gave way to the setting sun, and buttery beams of light shown on the sides of distant, snow-capped mountains. After fishing all day on the Middle Provo, surrounded by wintry dull grays and faded browns and greens, the view was rather exotic. I told myself to take a photo and knew that'd I'd have only a short while to do so. I ended up deciding that some things are best stored in the memory bank.

Until next week.