Snake River
The first snows of the coming winter season have fallen. Air temps are cool as are water temps and, while the dry fly action has constricted to about four hours in late afternoon, the dry fly fishing that we are getting can been very good. Blue-winged olives, tricos, and midges are the primary bugs on the water. Mahogany duns and micro caddis will also make an appearance when there is a little bit of precipitation. October caddis can also appear intermittently. Productive surface patterns include black or olive Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 18), olive Stacked Wing BWOs (size 14 to 16), Mahogany Parawulffs (size 12 to 16), and cream Comparaduns (size 16 to 18). Riffles and seams are the hot targets, but don't forget to hit tail-outs on large stream-bound structure and banks, as well as shallow flats extending off of cobblestone banks.
Subsurface fishing is almost the only game in town in the morning and early afternoon. Lightening Bugs (size 16), black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18), black or gray Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20), and long hackled Tungsten Hare's Ears (size 14) are working very well in moderate to deep riffles, along seams, and in confluence lines. You will have to weed your way through a lot of whitefish, but it is entirely possible to hook into some 17 plus inch cutthroat.
South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir are down to 3,200 cfs. Fishing is tougher than it was a couple of weeks ago, but there is still some decent surface action along the entire length of the river from the Dam down to Lorenzo, especially from mid-afternoon until dusk. Blue-winged olives and tricos are the most prevalent bugs on the water, followed by mahogany duns on the wetter days. Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18), cream Furimsky BDEs (size 14 to 18), Mahogany Parawulffs (size 14 to 16), Copper Hazes (size 12 to 16), and Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14) have been working very well during the few hours of dry fly action in shallow riffles and recirculating eddies.
Double nymph rigs have been doing very well in the morning in riffles, along banks, and in pools alongside structure. Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Zug Bugs (size 14) and black or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 16) have been very productive patterns over the past week.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Fly Fishing Report for October 22nd, 2010
Snake River
The best action on the Snake over the past week and a half has been subsurface with double nymph rigs and streamers. Zug Bugs and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14), olive or black Copper Johns (size size 12 to 14), Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) and Soft Hackle Peacockle Princes (size 10 to 12) are working throughout the day on confluence lines, seams, and along the entire length of riffles. Heavy streamers on floating or intermediate lines are also working in similar water, but are definitely bringing in bigger cutthroats along banks and structure. Bright streamers such as the Zoo Cougar (size 4 to 6), rust Sex Dungeons (size 2 to 4), J.J. Specials (size 4 to 6), Beldar's Bugger (size 4 to 6), and gray-over-white Quad Bunnies (size 2 to 4) have been the most productive patterns. These streamers are not working consistently throughout the day, but when they are producing it is with some fairly large trout.
Dry flies are producing intermittently along banks and structure, but it is in side channels that we have had our best luck on the surface. Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany emergers (size 12 to 14), and Snake Drake Emergers (size 10 to 12) fished solo have been the best patterns in this regard. The side channels running from Deadman's Bar down to South Park Bridge is where most of the action has been.
The coming low pressure system entering the area this coming weekend should make the surface action noticeably better.
South Fork
Releases from Palisades Reservoir are down to 4,000 cfs. While the dry fly fishing has been hit-or-miss, the subsurface action has been a bit more consistent. Riffles and eddies are working with Rainbow Warriors (size 16), red or black Copper Johns (size 12 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) and San Juan Worms. These nymphs have been responsible for bringing in some big brown trout as of late that are holding in the tails of long riffles. Streamers are doing the same along banks and structure and on long, skinny-water flats in the Canyon and in the upper reach of the South Fork in Swan Valley. Some of our favorite streamers as of late on the South Fork are various color schemes of articulated Quad Bunnies (size 2 to 4), brown-over-yellow or olive-over-white Clouser Minnows (size 4 to 6), Silvey Sculpins (size 2) in gray or white, and Stacked Blondes (size 4).
As on the Snake, expect dry fly action on the South Fork to pick up significantly after this next cold front moves in thsi coming weekend.
A Note on Area Brown Runs
October is the month for brown runs in the Rocky Mountain West. Much attention is paid to what is happening on the Green and the South Fork, but don't forget about the lake run browns coming up the Madison River from Hebgen Lake, the Lewis River Channel from Lewis Lake, and the upper Snake from Jackson Lake. The Lewis Lake browns are in the channel at the moment and more are on there way. The Jackson Lake browns is a quick-tempo run that generally lasts only about two weeks before spawning begins en masse. That run generally starts later than most and should be right around the corner.
The best action on the Snake over the past week and a half has been subsurface with double nymph rigs and streamers. Zug Bugs and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14), olive or black Copper Johns (size size 12 to 14), Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) and Soft Hackle Peacockle Princes (size 10 to 12) are working throughout the day on confluence lines, seams, and along the entire length of riffles. Heavy streamers on floating or intermediate lines are also working in similar water, but are definitely bringing in bigger cutthroats along banks and structure. Bright streamers such as the Zoo Cougar (size 4 to 6), rust Sex Dungeons (size 2 to 4), J.J. Specials (size 4 to 6), Beldar's Bugger (size 4 to 6), and gray-over-white Quad Bunnies (size 2 to 4) have been the most productive patterns. These streamers are not working consistently throughout the day, but when they are producing it is with some fairly large trout.
Dry flies are producing intermittently along banks and structure, but it is in side channels that we have had our best luck on the surface. Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany emergers (size 12 to 14), and Snake Drake Emergers (size 10 to 12) fished solo have been the best patterns in this regard. The side channels running from Deadman's Bar down to South Park Bridge is where most of the action has been.
The coming low pressure system entering the area this coming weekend should make the surface action noticeably better.
South Fork
Releases from Palisades Reservoir are down to 4,000 cfs. While the dry fly fishing has been hit-or-miss, the subsurface action has been a bit more consistent. Riffles and eddies are working with Rainbow Warriors (size 16), red or black Copper Johns (size 12 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) and San Juan Worms. These nymphs have been responsible for bringing in some big brown trout as of late that are holding in the tails of long riffles. Streamers are doing the same along banks and structure and on long, skinny-water flats in the Canyon and in the upper reach of the South Fork in Swan Valley. Some of our favorite streamers as of late on the South Fork are various color schemes of articulated Quad Bunnies (size 2 to 4), brown-over-yellow or olive-over-white Clouser Minnows (size 4 to 6), Silvey Sculpins (size 2) in gray or white, and Stacked Blondes (size 4).
As on the Snake, expect dry fly action on the South Fork to pick up significantly after this next cold front moves in thsi coming weekend.
A Note on Area Brown Runs
October is the month for brown runs in the Rocky Mountain West. Much attention is paid to what is happening on the Green and the South Fork, but don't forget about the lake run browns coming up the Madison River from Hebgen Lake, the Lewis River Channel from Lewis Lake, and the upper Snake from Jackson Lake. The Lewis Lake browns are in the channel at the moment and more are on there way. The Jackson Lake browns is a quick-tempo run that generally lasts only about two weeks before spawning begins en masse. That run generally starts later than most and should be right around the corner.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Fishing Report for October 12th, 2010
Snake River
Dry fly fishing on the Snake was showing signs of waning over the past week, but a recent low pressure system has chilled the water, sparked more intense hatches, and has allowed the Snake to get back to what it typically is this time of the year. PMDs, blue-winged olives, hecubas, and October caddis are all making appearances on the surface at different periods throughout the day. We are also seeing speckled-wing quills in bits and pieces. Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany Emergers (size 12 to 14), orange Stimulators (size 10), white or gray Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 14), and Parachute Hares Ears (size 12) are bringing up big cutthroat when fished as part of a tandem rig with a red Fat Albert (size 8 to 10), olive SRA Chernobyls (size 8), or a variety of Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 8 to 10).
While the entire river is fishing well, the best action is without question from Wilson Bridge down to Sheep Gulch in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Banks and structure and producing in the early part of the day from approximately 11 am to 1:30 pm, after which time riffles, seams, and confluence points begin to pick up with mayfly adult and emerger imitations. The river should fish well until dusk.
One additional point - The Snake is fishing well throughout the day with a double nymph rig or a hopper-dropper rig. Olive or black Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, and Zug Bugs have been performing best. Consider using these nymphs in conjunction with a Pat's Rubber Leg or Parkins' Stone Nymph in the morning and fishing it until dry fly action picks up.
South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir have dropped to 6,000 cfs and the fishing on the South Fork has brokn through its late September-early October lull. Action has picked up without a doubt. When the weather is overcast and a little on the wet side, expect to see tricos, BWOs, and a lot of mahogany duns. This will make riffles, recirculating eddies, and flats off of banks fairly active, especially in the afternoon. Mahogany Emergers (size 14 to 16), CDC BWOs (size 16), Purple Hazes (size 14 to 16), Copper Hazes (size 14 to 16) and olive or dun Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18) have been the best producers.
Subsurface flies are worth considering when the dry fly action isn't happening. San Juan Worms are working fine in all water types, but it is Lightening Bugs (size 14), Bubble Back BWO Nymphs (size 14 to 16), black Copper Johns (size 14 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 16) that can really hammer it home, especially in riffles and on long flats with a little depth to them. A variety of white, gray, or olive streamers fished at the tail end of riffles, along banks, and on flats are bringing in big browns that are prepping for the spawn.
Salt River
The Salt is low and clear and fishing well, especially when low pressure systems are in the area. Olive tricos have been the most prevalent bug on the water, and at times they can be quite prolific. Blue-winged olives and caddis can also be abundant at times. Fishing from the narrows to Etna and from Jackknife to Perks are two of the best reaches to hit at the moment. Get your mayfly nymph and adult patterns in close to undercut banks and fish them along the entire length of riffles with as long of a drift as possible. Expect strikes from big browns and cutthroats.
Dry fly fishing on the Snake was showing signs of waning over the past week, but a recent low pressure system has chilled the water, sparked more intense hatches, and has allowed the Snake to get back to what it typically is this time of the year. PMDs, blue-winged olives, hecubas, and October caddis are all making appearances on the surface at different periods throughout the day. We are also seeing speckled-wing quills in bits and pieces. Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany Emergers (size 12 to 14), orange Stimulators (size 10), white or gray Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 14), and Parachute Hares Ears (size 12) are bringing up big cutthroat when fished as part of a tandem rig with a red Fat Albert (size 8 to 10), olive SRA Chernobyls (size 8), or a variety of Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 8 to 10).
While the entire river is fishing well, the best action is without question from Wilson Bridge down to Sheep Gulch in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Banks and structure and producing in the early part of the day from approximately 11 am to 1:30 pm, after which time riffles, seams, and confluence points begin to pick up with mayfly adult and emerger imitations. The river should fish well until dusk.
One additional point - The Snake is fishing well throughout the day with a double nymph rig or a hopper-dropper rig. Olive or black Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, and Zug Bugs have been performing best. Consider using these nymphs in conjunction with a Pat's Rubber Leg or Parkins' Stone Nymph in the morning and fishing it until dry fly action picks up.
South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir have dropped to 6,000 cfs and the fishing on the South Fork has brokn through its late September-early October lull. Action has picked up without a doubt. When the weather is overcast and a little on the wet side, expect to see tricos, BWOs, and a lot of mahogany duns. This will make riffles, recirculating eddies, and flats off of banks fairly active, especially in the afternoon. Mahogany Emergers (size 14 to 16), CDC BWOs (size 16), Purple Hazes (size 14 to 16), Copper Hazes (size 14 to 16) and olive or dun Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18) have been the best producers.
Subsurface flies are worth considering when the dry fly action isn't happening. San Juan Worms are working fine in all water types, but it is Lightening Bugs (size 14), Bubble Back BWO Nymphs (size 14 to 16), black Copper Johns (size 14 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 16) that can really hammer it home, especially in riffles and on long flats with a little depth to them. A variety of white, gray, or olive streamers fished at the tail end of riffles, along banks, and on flats are bringing in big browns that are prepping for the spawn.
Salt River
The Salt is low and clear and fishing well, especially when low pressure systems are in the area. Olive tricos have been the most prevalent bug on the water, and at times they can be quite prolific. Blue-winged olives and caddis can also be abundant at times. Fishing from the narrows to Etna and from Jackknife to Perks are two of the best reaches to hit at the moment. Get your mayfly nymph and adult patterns in close to undercut banks and fish them along the entire length of riffles with as long of a drift as possible. Expect strikes from big browns and cutthroats.
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