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.