Fishing Report for October 3rd, 2010

Snake River
Incredible weather persists in western Wyoming and flows are dropping out of Jackson Lake Dam. The result is some good fishing on the Snake River. It can get tough at times with the warm air temperatures and the consistently high pressure system sitting over the area, But persistence can pay off big time. All sections of the river from Deadman's Bar down to Sheep Gulch are displaying decent dry fly action from approximately noon until dusk (around 7 pm currently). Holding water that is producing best include riffles, seam lines, and confluence points. Banks and structure become active as the day progresses and water temperatures warm. The most successful dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs (size 12 to 14), Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 14), Parachute Hare's Ears (size 10 to 12), Purple Haze (size 12), gold or orange Stimulators (size 10), gold or olive Parachute Hoppers (size 8 to 10), red Fat Alberts (size 8 to 10), Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), gold Chubby Chernobyls (size 10), SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in a variety of colors. Our guides have been fishing these as tandem dry rigs with the larger fly in lead and the smaller fly as a trailer.

In the morning hours from dawn until noon, the dry fly action has been slow. One should think seriously about throwing a double nymph rig or at least a hopper-dropper rig until serious surface action begins. The most successful nymphs include olive or black Copper Johns (size 12 to 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12), and long hackled Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14). Fished in riffles and on seam lines, these nymphs have been fishing as good as dry flies later in the day.

South Fork
Flows out of Palisades Reservoir are at 6900 cfs and while the fishing is tough on the South Fork, one can still have success if they fish hard in the right water at the right times and with the right tackle. The upper section in Swan Valley and the upper part of the canyon are fishing best of all. Nymphing is good in the morning hours fished as hopper-dropper rigs along banks and structure. In the afternoons, dry fly action picks up in riffles, seams, and along banks and structure. Tandem rigs featuring large dry flies trailing small mayfly imitations are working well from mid-afternoon until dusk, although there are days when the dry fly fishing picks up earlier. Amongst the best producing dry flies are Bosworth Fenzys (size 8), gold or red Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), peach Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10), Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany Emergers (size 12), and Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 14). Side Channels are still fishing well but imitative patterns are a must as is lighter leader to get into the spooky trout inhabiting them at the moment. Think about using Pheasant Tail Emergers and CDC Bubble Back Emergers. No matter where you fish, the takes have been excruciatingly slow over the past three weeks, so be on the ball with you hook sets.

And one last point - whether you are on the Snake or the South Fork, take a moment to look up from the water to take in the fall colors. It is absolutely gorgeous right now.