Snake River
The Snake River has finally went into runoff after our recent spell of warm, sunny weather that drove valley air temperatures into the low 70s. Some cooler, wetter weather has moved in since, but the runoff is here until it is over. What fishing can be has on the Snake River is on the five mile stretch from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek and at the mouth of the numerous spring creeks flowing into the river. Expect to see caddis (match with Elk Hair Caddis in size 14 and X-Caddis in size 12-14), blue-winged olives (match with Parachute Adams in size 16-18), and a spattering of March browns (match with Airflo Callibaetis in size 12) depending on the weather. But don't be afraid to throw streamers at the transition lines of clear and muddy water. I generally urge a darker body for this kind of water, such as a black and purple Jungle Sculpin (size 4) or a black Silvey's Leech.
South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir peaked at just under 19,000cfs on May 14th and are now coming down at between 500cfs and 1000cfs a day. We currently stand at 15,000cfs, which brings the South Fork into much better shape for fishing. Expect it to drop another 1,000 to 2,000 cfs over the week, which will be even better.
The tributaries of the South Fork are in runoff and reducing the clarity of the main river a bit. But it still fishes well in these conditions with Pat' Rubber Leg Stone Nymph (size 6), Parkins' Stone Nymph (size 6-8), Lightening Bugs (size 10-12), red or black Copper Johns (size 10-12), Prince Nymphs (size 10-12) and San Juan Worms (size 12). We are fishing these as double nymph rigs with the smaller patterns suspended 8 to 12 inches below the larger stone nymph patterns. This rigging is separated by about seven feet of leader from the indicator.
Under the current conditions on the South Fork, we are finding the best fishing on newly submerged riffles and the upstream pieces of seams and confluence points. Streamers (black Beldar's Bugger size 4 and black or olive Bow River Buggers in size 4 or 2) are also working well in these types of holding water, but they are being outperformed by double nymph rigs.
Without question, the best fishing is being found on the upper reach of the stream in Swan Valley. In fact, the first three miles of river are clear and visilibity is good until the confluence with Palisades Creek. We are picking up very good sized rainbows and browns on this piece of the river.
Green River
The Green is flowing at approximately 500 cfs and is a bit off color with approximately three feet of visibility. It is still fishing well with nymphs around structure and at the head of long riffles. Not that Green River trout key in on specific colors, but red seems to be doing the trick particularly Bloody Mary's, red Copper Johns, and San Juan Worms (all in size 10-12). Expect this stream to rise to well over 1000 cfs over the couple of weeks, but it will most likely recede quickly and be in prime fishing shape. Nevertheless, it is fishing decent at the moment and you should take advantage of it be flows increase.
New Fork
The New Fork is one of the hold out streams that has not entered into runoff yet. It currently stands at 250 cfs and is fishing fine with streamers (olive or gray Silvey's Sculpins and J.J. Specials in sizes 2-4). The dry fly fishing has been hit or miss, but large attractors are working in riffles, along structure, and along deep banks. In particular, olive Will's Winged Chernobyl (size 8), brown and gold Snake River Water Walkers (size 8), and brown Fat Alberts (size 6-8) have been bringing up the big browns on the New Fork. You can drop a Prince Nymph (size 10) or Lightening Bug (size 10-12) of the large bugs and pick up some big fish as well.
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