Snake River Fly Fishing Report for December 28, 2011 by Boots Allen

After a moderately wet November, the Snake River region has experienced a notably dry December. As of solstice (December 21), this past December has been the 3rd driest in the past 30 years.

But finally we are starting to get some precipitation in the valley in the form of a warm, wet, North Pacific storm. This system should last until New Years Eve. So far, it has bumped our snow pack up from 59% to 65% of normal.

And now for the fishing - temperatures are much warmer than they were over the past three weeks. This has made fishing in the lower South Fork/lower Henry's Fork area comfortable. Temperatures there are expected to be in the 40s over the next several days. Flows in this region (2,800 cfs at Lorenzo) have been higher than normal thanks to last years runoff. All of this has made the fishing in this part of the Snake River region fairly solid for at least a few hours each day. Nymphing has been good with Day-2 Midge Pupas (size 18), Tungsten Midge Pupas (size 18 to 20), Lightening Bugs (size 14) in gold or silver, and Flashback Hare's Ear Nymphs (size 12 to 16). The window for dry fly action has generally been for about two to three hours in mid-afternoon. Trout are taking Parachute Extended Body BWOS (size 18), and Furimsky BDEs (size 18) in olive or black. Most of the surface action is occurring in flats and shallow riffles where water temperatures are warming fast than in the deeper parts of the river.

Another piece of water in the same region that is fishing well is the main stem of the Snake River around, Menan, Mike Walker, and Roberts. We have been using larger nymphs like Hare's Ears and Prince Nymphs in size 10 and picking up big browns on long seams. Streamer fishing has been inconsistent on the main stem but some brown trout are being picked up on rust or black Bow River Buggers (size 4 to 6), purple, black, or olive Lite Brite Zonkers (size 8), and J.J. Specials (size 8).

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for November 21, 2011 by Boots Allen

We have had a fair amount of snow in the Snake River area over the past two weeks with over 70 inches at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee. For the intrepid, there is still some decent fishing in the region. The issue is finding access. On the Snake, the Green, the Teton, the Salt, and the upper South Fork, snow shoes may be required. It can be worth it, though, as there is a three to four hour window of activity on these rivers mid-day with nymphs and small dry imitations of midge and BWOs.

The lower South Fork and lower Henry's Fork are the two places where access is easier and the window of activity is longer. Nymphs like Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 14), black, red, or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 18), gray or black Tungsten Midge Pupas (size 18 to 20), LOF Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) are performing well when fished as part of a tandem rig. Surface activity is good for approximately three hours in riffles, seams, and flats with black Furimsky BDEs (size 18), Air-Flo Midges (size 18 to 20), Parachute Extended Body BWOs (size 18), and BWO Comparaduns (size 16 to 18).

Get out there and fish it while you can.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for November 1st, 2011

One of the best months of fly fishing in the region has just come to an end. Nonetheless, November can be stellar with the right kind weather - cool, cloudy, and some precipitation, but not enough to drive water temps down to the point that trout just are not active and not enought to force even hearty anglers from our area streams.

October is a great month to hook

into hungry cutthroat preparing for a long winter and big browns as they stage for their autumn spawning runs. This type of activity can extend well into November. Here is what to expect -

Snake River

Flows are low but still above average levels thanks to the big winter and spring we had this past season. When air temps are in the mid 40s to mid 50s, expect water temps to be from the low 40s to upper 40s. This means that good and sometimes excellent dry fly action. Discriminating anglers generally focus on the lower Snake from Wilson Bridge down to Sheep Gulch because air temps and water temps are generally lower than in the rest of the drainage, but at time the upper reaches, particulalry that from Deadman's Bar down to Wilson Bridge can fish well. It certainly did this past October. Blue-winged olives, October caddis, midges, and a smattering of mahogany duns will be the most active aquatic insects on the water.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades Reservoir are at 4000 cfs and should remain there for most of the month. Like the Snake, warm air temps will generally lead to warm water temps and good surface action will result. This is much more the case on the South Fork with its lower elevation. Cool, cloudy weather with a little precipitation can produce good hatches of blue-winged olives, infrequen PMDs, micro caddis, October caddis, mahogany duns, and midges, which can put the surface activity into a different realm. Lots of hungry cutthroat should be hitting everything as they prep for the winter, but expect lots of angry browns as they get deeper into spawn mode. Streamers can work awesome in this regard when swung across flats and at the tails on slow, shallow riffles. the Swan Valley reach is the streetch of choice for most anglers, but don't forget about the canyon reach, where a lot of brown trout stage and spawn.

Salt River

The Salt River is always a hidden gem in the region, but at no time more so than in November. Just like the Snake, there will be lots of hungry cutthroat. Like the South Fork, you can get some big brown trout staging and spawning on a number of sections of this river. Some of the buiggest cutthroat and brown trout on the Salt are caught in October and November. Expect to see lots of midges and tricos, but you may also find micro caddis, October caddis, and a few infrequen PMDS about.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for October 17th, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

With the possible exception for a two to three week period in late August and early September, the anglers on the Snake River are experiencing the best dry fly fishing of the season. Cool weather and precipitation has resulted in a lot more PMDs, blue-winged olives, Mahogany duns, micro caddis, October caddis, and tricos emerging throughout the day. Add to this the fact that flows are now down to winter levels, and what we are left with is a stream in prime fishing condition. The middle sections running from Moose to South Park are fishing very well, as is the Canyon reach from Astoria down to Sheep Gulch. In the morning, from approximately sunrise to 12 pm, nymph rigs are producing best, with Lightening Bugs (Size 12 to 16), Day -2 Midges (size 14 to 18), black Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), Zug Bugs (size 12 to 14), and RW's Chamois Caddis (size 10 to 12) taking the lion’s share of trout during this time period.

In the afternoon, the trout really begin to look as hatches intensify. Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12 to 14), Booty's Snake Drake (size 12), PMD Sparkle Comparaduns in pink and cream (size 12-14), Parachute Extended Body PMDs (size 12 to 14), Parachute Extended Body BWOs (size 16), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Hares Ear Emergers (size 16), Copper Hazes and Purple Hazes (size 12 to 14) and Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 16) in black, olive, and gray are producing in riffles, the tails of shallow seams, and along shallow banks and structure. Fishing these flies as part of a tandem rig separated by 18 to 24 inches of tippet is a fine tactic at the moment.

South Fork

Like the Snake, the South Fork is fishing the best it has since the end of August and the first week or so of September. Flows from Palisades Reservoir are currently at approximately 4500 cfs, still higher than normal but still at a very good level for this time of year. PMDS and BWOs are the most evident insects on the water with mahogany duns and October caddis also making appearances when the weather is cloudy with some precipitation. Both the upper Canyon and the Swan Valley reaches are fishing well on nymphs in the morning - from sunrise to noon - with Pat's Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10), Lightening Bugs (size 12), Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14) and Zug Bugs (size 12 to 14). These flies are working best when presented two to four feet from banks, one to two feet from steeper banks. Riffles are also active with these patterns. Flats can also produce in an intermittent fashion.

In the afternoon, surface action picks up in riffles, recirculating eddies, and along banks with mayfly imitations like Purple Hazes (size 14 to 18), orange or yellow Stimulators (size 10), Quigley Cripples (size 12), Pink Sulfur Emergers (size 16 to 18), and Parkin's PM Muskrats (size 16 to 18). Tandem dry rigs are a big help in terms of effectiveness with these flies.

Salt River

The Salt is currently flowing at 800 cfs at McCoy Creek and is fishing really well as tricos, BWOs and PMDs get active on the surface throughout the day. Black or olive Air-Flo tricos (size 16 to 20), black or olive Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 20), Purple Hazes (size 18) Booty's Mahogany Emergers (size 14 to 18) and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18) fish well from early morning to early evening along banks, in flats, and in eddies. Another option is to fish a small attractor like a Stimulator (size 10 to 12) or a SRA Chernobyl (size 10 to 12) in red, pink, or pearl in tandem with the smaller patterns mentioned above or with a dropper like a Lightening Bug (size 16 to 18), Bubbleback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 18), and black or olive Copper Johns (size 16 to 18) dropped 12 to 14 inches from the surface fly.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for October 2nd, 2011 by Boots Allen

Jackson Lake Dam Flow Schedule Update: Bureau of Reclamation will begin to decrease flows from Jackson Lake Dam starting the evening of Sunday, October 2^nd. Flows will be reduced from 2,800 cfs to winter flows of 650 cfs by October 7^th.

Snake River

The Snake is fishing very well as daytime temperatures cool while the weather remains mostly sunny and comfortable. We are beginning to see more of our important autumn hatches like hecubas and mahogany duns. PMDS and caddis remain active as well. Above Pacific Creek, there have been heavy hatches of olive and black tricos. Mornings are fishing well along banks and in deep riffle pools with dropper rigs consisting of gold Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), yellow Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), yellow or olive Stimulators (size 8 to 10), and yellow, olive, or royal PMXs (size 8 to 10). Dropper nymphs such as Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Zug Bugs (size 10 to 14), or olive Soft Hackles (size 12 to 14) are working best when dropped between 20 inches and 30 inches below the surface fly.

Mid and late day fishing picks up on the surface with the best action being in riffles, deep seams, and slow confluence points. A variety of large attractors like those mentioned above are successful, but so too are smaller, more imitative flies like Quigley Cripples (size 10 to 12), Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12), Parachute Hares Ears (size 12 to 14), and gray Parawulffs (size 12 to 16). Fish these solo or as part of a tandem rig with a large attractor.

South Fork

Releases from Palisades Reservoir beginning to ramp down to their late autumn flows, going from 9,000 cfs last week to 7,000 cfs as of today. Inconsistent but good fishing can be found at the moment. There are still lots of PMDs as well as a few caddis, but we are now starting to see some mahogany duns and October caddis. Surface action has been best on large attractors like Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), purple Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), orange Stimulators (size 8 to 10) and Orange Crushes (size 6 to 8) fished tight to banks and structure. Riffles have been fickle at best, but at times some large cutthroats have been coming up to Quigley Cripples (size 12) and Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12).

The best fishing has unquestionably been on nymphs either fished as droppers or as double nymph rigs. The most productive patterns have been Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Zug Bugs (size 12 to 14), Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 10 to 14), Sanchez Sparkle Stones (size 8) and Pat's Rubber Leg (size 8 to 10) in a variety of colors. There is acceptable activity on these nymphs in riffles, seams, and eddies, but the best action has been along banks and in flats. No double this is due to the fact that aquatic insects have been retreating from shallow water as flows have been dropping, which makes them accessible and vulnerable to feeding trout.

Salt River

The Salt River is flowing at about 770 cfs at McCoy Creek. This is about 15% above normal for this time of year. There is decent fishing on all reaches with best arguably being found in the vicinity of the Narrows and on the lower river from Freedom to McCoy Creek. Mid-sized attractors like Circus Peanuts (size 10), Pearl Bellies (size 10) and SRA Chernobyls (size10 to 12) are fishing well along the plethora of undercut banks and banks with heavy vegetation, but when fished with a dropper (Hares Ear Nymphs, olive or black Copper Johns, and Prince Nymphs), the dropper is being taken far more consistently. The best surface action have been on trico and PMD imitations like Air-Flo Tricos (size 16 to 18), olive or black Furimsky BDEs (size 16), PMD Sparkle Comparaduns (size 16), and Pheasant Tail emergers (size 16 to 18). These flies have been producing along the length of riffles, at the edge of flats, and along shallow banks.

Snake River Angler Fly Fhsing Report for September 22nd, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

Autumn is the best time of the year to fish the Snake River and this season is not disappointing area anglers. Cooler weather and intermittent thunderstorms have helped to spark important fall hatches. PMDs remain the most prominent aquatic insect on the water, but we are now seeing more caddis, hecubas, and some mahogany duns. Grasshoppers and damsel flies are also making appearances. As has been the case over the past few weeks, large attractors have been working well in the morning. Some of the most productive include Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Circus Peanuts (size 6 to 10), pearl belly SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), and Snake River Water Walkers (size 6 to 10) in salmon, dirty gold, and purple. In the canyon reach of the river from South Park to Sheep Gulch, we have been fishing these with droppers extending 18” to 30” from the surface fly. This rigging is working well in riffles and along banks and deeply submerged structure. The best droppers have been Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Batmen (size 12 to 14), and Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 10 to 14), and Zug Bugs (size 12 to 16).

In the afternoon, surface activity picks up significantly with cutthroat trout feeding in riffles, eddies, and along seam lines and banks. Tandem riggings consisting of a size 10 lead attractor followed by a smaller mayfly or caddis imitation in size 12 to 16 are producing best. Another productive tactic along flats and side channels is to fish a tandem rigging consisting of a small mayfly or caddis imitation fished as a lead fly with a smaller emerger fished as the trailer. Purple Hazes (size 10 to 14), Parachute Adams (size 10 to 16), Parachute Hares Ears (size 10 to 16), PMD Sparkle Comparaduns (size 12 to 16), Parachute CDC PMDs (size 12 to 16), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Cole's Split-Wing Cripples (size 12 to 16), Sanchez Double Vision PMDs (size 12 to 14), Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12), and Booty's Drake Emerger (size 10 to 12) have all been solid producers.

South Fork

Flows continue to be stable at 9,000 cfs. Fishing on the South Fork is still good but the typical mid-September inconsistency is starting to creep in on this river, something many of us thought would not occur with the late and extended runoff that we experienced earlier this year. Nonetheless, trout are being taken on every stretch of river, with the canyon reach being the most consistent. When cloudy and wet weather creeps in, the fishing improves noticeably. Lots of inermis and infrequen PMDs will be about. Intermittent hatches of caddis are also evident. Large attractors fished with deep droppers have been successful along banks, flats, and in deep eddies. Lightening Bugs (size 10 to 14) and CDC Bubbleback Pheasant Tails have been producing in this regard. The best attractors have been Kasey's Creature, Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in gold, red, or purple, and PMXs (size 8 to 10) in red or olive.

Small mayflies are producing throughout the day along slow banks and flats. Riffle action with these flies has been spotty at best, but they do come alive on the cooler and cloudier days. Parachute Adams (size 14 to 16), Booty’s Drake Emerger (size 12), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Pink Sulfer Emergers (size 14 to 16), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18), and Cole's Split Winger Cripple (size 12 to 14) all fishing well, especially canyon reach and late in the day from Palisades Dam down to Irwin.

Salt River

Like other streams in the region, the Salt is fishing best on days with cloudy weather and/or a little bit of precipitation. PMDs and caddis can been found on the water throughout most parts of the day. There are still intermittent emergences of trico, especially on thoe lower reach of the river from Etna down to McCoy Creek. Large attractors like Circus Peanuts (size 10), SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 12) in red or yellow, and Chubby Chernobyls (size 10) in purple and red are fishing well, but it is smaller, imitative patterns of dry flies that are producing best. Air-Flo Tricos (size 18 to 20), Furimsky BDEs (size 14 to 18) in olive, gray, and black, PMD Sparkle Comparaduns (size 14 to 16), Sanchez's Everything Emerger (size 14 to 16), and Harrop's CDC PMD (size 14 to 18) are producing along cutbanks and at the tails of riffles.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for September 13, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

The Snake River continues to fish very well on the surface with large attractors like Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Tara X's (size 8 to 10), Circus Peanuts (size 8 to 10), Kasey's Creature (size 8), and Wills Red Ant (size 8 to 12) drifted or twitched along banks, structure and through fast riffles and riffle pools. Although the prominent hatch so far this September has been PMDs, we are starting to see a few hecubas about. Because of this, we are starting to see more and more cutthroat come to the surface for smaller mayfly duns and emergers. Patterns like Quigley Cripples (size 12), PMD Comparaduns (size 12 to 14), Thorax PMDs (size 12 to 16), Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12), Parachute Adams (size 12 to 16), Purple Hazes (size 12 to 16), and Parachute Hares Ears (size 10 to 12) have been successful when fished in riffles and in slow moving currents along structure and banks in side channels.

Streamers are still fishing well on either a floating line or with an intermediate or TYPE III sink tip. They have been very productive in the morning along banks in currents with fast or moderate speed. In the afternoon, however, look for deep riffles with fast currents to come alive. These are best fished with a floating line and a lightly weighted streamer like a Quad Bunny, Zoo Cougar, Angel Eye Sculpin, or Kiwi Muddler, all in light shades of rust, white or tan. They fly will only be a couple of inches below the surface, but it is a lot of fun watching big cutthroat hit streamers just a little under the surface film.

South Fork

With each passing day, the South Fork is fishing better on the surface with a variety of dry patterns. Flows are at 9,000 cfs from Palisades Reservoir, which is almost ideal for dry fly fishing.

The upper South Fork in Swan Valley is fishing best with large attractors along banks and in riffle pools. Kasey's Creature (size 8), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Bean’s Orange Crush (size 8), Barrett's Stone (size 8 to 10), and Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in red, gold, or purple have been the best performing flies.

The same big attractors that are working on the upper South Fork are working downstream in the Canyon reach. But the Canyon is also fishing solid with mayfly and caddis patterns. Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Halo Emergers (size 12 to 14), Purple Hazes (size 10 to 14), Klinkhammers (size 10 to 12), and Harrop's CDC PMD (size 14 to 16) are producing on riffles and in riffle pools and in eddies and seams. These same flies have also been successful when fished on flats and on banks with moderate current speeds.

Salt River

This is a fun time of year to be on the Salt River. Lots of cutthroats and browns are rising to a variety of patterns including moderately sized attractors, caddis patterns, and mayfly imitations. Dry fly fishing has been best from approximately 11am until evening, but when there is decent cloud cover, the surface action really begins to pick up on tricos and infrequen PMDs. When this occurs, think seriously about going to more imitative patterns like Parachute Extended Body PMDs (size 14 to 16), black Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 18), black or olive Air-Flo Tricos (size 18), and PMD Comparaduns (size 14 to 16). You can pick up a fair amount of trout no matter what you are using, but there will be better size and numbers with imitative trico and small PMD patterns.

Fly Fishing Report for September 1st, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

PMDs and caddis are moderately active on the surface. There is also a very noticeable activity with craneflies all along the river and its tributaries. In addition, we are now seeing some of our autumn hatches, including Claassenia stoneflies and hecubas, although only in minimal numbers.

The Snake is still offering some of the best dry fly fishing in the region. Small to moderstely sized cutthroats are being taken in riffles and seam. Parachute Adams (size 12 to 16), Purple Hazes (size 12 to 14), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), X-caddis (size 12 to 16) in black and olive Thorax PMDs (size 12 to 16), Snowshoe Hare PMDs (size 14 to 16), PMD Comparaduns (size 12 to 14), and Harrop CDC PMDs (size 14 to 16) have been productive in these waters and along flats and confluence points.

Bigger fish have not been as active as they were a week and a half ago, and the warm weather may have a lot to do with this. However, recently we have experienced overnight temperatures dipping down into the 30s for an extended period of time, and this, along with the slightly wetter weather we have coming, should improve things significantly. In the meantime, it is possible to get into larger, and significantly larger, cutthroat by fishing hard along banks, structure, and in deep riffle pools with large attractors that imitate grasshoppers and short-wing stoneflies. Rubber Leggeed Double Humpies (size 8) in red or yellow, Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), Circus Peanuts (size 8 to 10), Kaseys Creature (size 8), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), gold, red, or purple Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), SRA Water Walkers (size 8 to 10), and a variety of Wills Winged Chernobyls are working in this regard, especially when skittered on the surface or fished in tandem with a trailing cripple or emerger that is fished just below the surface.

South Fork

Fishing continues to pick up on the South Fork where flows from Palisades Reservoir are stable at 9,000 cfs. Fishing has been best in the lower Canyon from Cottonwood Flats down to Byington and on the upper reach in Swan Valley. PMDs and caddis have been the most active aquatic insects, but we are also starting to our mutant stoneflies and more terrestrials like carpenter ants and grasshoppers.

Large attractor trailing deep droppers (around 24 to 30 inches) are working well throughout the day along banks and in deep riffles, seams, and recirculating eddies. SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) and Parachute Hoppers trailing Fuegos (size 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14), LOF Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 16) and Copper Johns (size 12 to 16) have been the most successful in this regard. The vast majority of the action has been on the dropper nymphs, but it is still possible to pick up big browns and cutthroat on the surface flies, especially along banks and in the head of seams.

Towards afternoon, trout is riffles, seams, and eddies become active on the surface. This is an ideal time and situation to make a switch to imitative PMD and small terrestrials like tan, black, or purple Sparkle Ants (size 10 to 12), Bi-Viz PMDs (size 12 to 16), CDC Bubbleback PMDs (size 14 to 16), and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16).

Green River

Flows at Warren Bridge are currently at around 425 cfs. This is usually an ideal water level to fish the Green, but there has been showing definite signs of slower fishing throughout the day as water temperatures continue to warm into the low 60s by early afternoon. The best fishing is being found in the early morning hours from approximately 6:30 am until about 10 am. The exception to this has been those days with substantial cloud cover that can produce some precipitation. When this occurs, dry fly fishing can be very productive with Tara Xs (size 10), Wills Winged Chernobyl (size 8 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Jimmy Zs (size 10 to 12) and Turcks Tarantula (size 8 to 10). In riffles and in slow currents along structure, Parachute Hares Ears (size 14), Hair Beetles (size 10 to 12), Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 14), and Quigley Cripples (size 10 to 14) can also be very effective.

But even when fishing is slow, a good bet is to fish a nymph as a dropper with a large attractor. Biot Bugs (size 12), 20-inchers (size 16 to 18), Rainbow Warriors (size 16 to 18), and Zug Bugs (size 14 to 16) have been working when nothing else is happening.

Flat Creek

Its the typical Flat Creek that we are so familiar with at this time of year. Fishing is best in the early morning hours from sunrise to about 9 am, and then again from about 7 pm until dark. PMDs, caddis, tricos, and grasshoppers are the most active trout foods on Flat Creek during these hours and throughout most of the day. Expect mahogany duns and baetis to make an appearance soon as fall temperatures begin to drop. Rusty Spinners (size 14 to 18), gold Sulfur Emergers (size 16 to 18), PMD Parachute Extended Bodies (size 14 to 16), and PMD Thorax Duns (size 14 to 18) are the go-to patterns currently.

Snake River Fly Fishing Report for August 21st, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

No river in the region is fishing better with dry flies than the Snake. All sections of water are producing with single and tandem dry fly rigs in riffles, eddies, banks, structure, seams, and confluence points. Literally every type of holding water is giving solid results on the surface at different parts of the day. Kasey's Creature (size 8 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8), Circus Peanuts (size 8 to 10), red or yellow Double Humpies (size 8), and red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8) have been the most successful large attractors on banks, structure, and in eddies and eddy seams. More imitative patterns like Purple Hazes (size 12), Copper Hazes (size 12), olive X-Caddis (size 12 to 14), and Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12) are producing in riffles and eddies. These are imitating the moderate hatches of caddis and infrequen PMDs occurring throughout the watershed. Start with these patterns early in the day and they should fish solid throughout the day. Do not forget to probe the side channels running from the Pacific Creek Confluence down to South Park Bridge. These are low enough to fish now and should fish really well until they begin to see too many artificial flies in a few weeks. The smaller emergent patterns are working best in these more intimate waters.

South Fork

Releases from Palisades Reservoir are currently at 9,000 cfs. Flows are ideal and fishing is really good. But the best news of all is that dry fly fishing has picked up in a serious fashion. It is possible to fish all day on the surface with big dries, small dries, tandem dry rigs, or a dry-dropper rig. Mornings have been solid with dry droppers fished close to banks, structure, and along flats. Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in red or gold, Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), and Will's Claassenia Stone (size 8) are producing best when combined with Brassie Spinners (size 12 to 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Bubble Back Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 16), and Red-Headed Step-Childs (size 14). In early afternoon and into late afternoon as PMDs and remnant yellow sallies become active. Pink Sparkle Duns (size 12 to 16), Challenged Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16), and Pink Sulfur Emergers (size 16 to 18) are bringing up large cutthroats and browns in riffles and at the head of seams. As water temperatures warm in late afternoon and into early evening, dry fly action slows noticeably but can still be had with large attractors like those mentioned above, but also with terrestrial imitations like copper or purple Parachute Sparkle Ants (size 10 to 12) and Mega Beetles (size 12). These patterns are working best almost exclusively along banks and on structure.

Green River

Flows at Warren Bridge are at 600 cfs. Consistent action on the Green is still occurring during a tight, two to three hour period from mid-morning to early evening. Much of this is occurring on the surface with Quigley Cripples (size 10 to 14), Parachute Hare’s Ears (size 16), and Copper Hazes (size 12 to 14) in riffles and re-circulating eddies. Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 8) and Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8) are bringing up large brown trout along banks from Warren Bridge down to Swain’s Bridge. Nymphs have been producing throughout the day, although you have to work hard in the afternoon hours to get results. Olive and red Copper Johns (size 12), and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14) have been successful as part of dry-dropper rigs along banks and in seams.

Fly Fishing Report for August 10th, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

Flows are dropping on a daily basis and it is safe to say now that the entire Snake River is fishing and fishing well with dry flies. Expect the river to only get better over the coming weeks. Light to moderate hatches of yellow sallies (especially in the afternoon), caddis and PMDs can be fished throughout the drainage. A tandem dry fly rig is perhaps the best option going. Will's Winged Chernobyl (size 6 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8), Circus Peanuts (size 6 to 10),Chubby Chernobyls in red, purple or gold (size 8 to 10), red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), Barrett's Stonefly (size 8 to 10) and PMXs in red or olive (size 8) are taking small to moderately sized cutthroats. Small dries trailing these large attractors are generally taking bigger cutthroats and brown trout. Amongst the most effective have been Parachute Adams (size 10 to 14), Purple Hazes (size 10 to 12), yellow Humpies (size 10 to 12), and Quigley Cripples (size 10). Banks, seams, and structure are producing solidly throughout most of the day. If one is fishing in or at the mouths of the numerous spring creeks, go with smaller, more imitative emergers like Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 14 to 16) and Jay's Humpback Emerger (size 14 to 16).

During slower parts of the day, a double nymph rig or dry-dropper can bring up fish that the dry flies mentioned above can't. Red or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), and cream or olive Soft Hackles (size 12 to 14) are working very well in deep seams and riffles.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades Reservoir are currently at 9000 cfs, an almost ideal level for this time of year. The South Fork is one of the best places in the region to fish at the moment, although nymphing with double and triple nymph rigs remains the most productive game in town, while dry fly fishing is occurring in fits and starts along some stretches of the river. Nymph rigs consisting on two Pat's Rubber Legs as wells (one size 8 to 6 and the other size 10) with a trailing San Juan Worm is working well along banks and flats and is producing in riffles and seams. Rigs with a Pat's Rubber Leg trailing a Brassie Spinner (size 14 to 16), red or olive Copper John (size 12 to 16), or a Rainbow Warrior (size 16 to 18) are working VERY well in riffles and seams.

The little dry fly action that is occurring is almost exclusively with large attractors - Chubby Chernobyls (size 8), red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), and orange or yellow Stimulator Xs (size 6 to 8) - trailing small mayfly nymphs. There is intermittent action on yellow sally dry fly imitations and PMD patterns in shallow riffles and flat. Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Stack Wing Sallies (size 10) and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 14 to 16) have been working best in this regard.

Flat Creek
Yes, most of the Snake River area streams are beginning to fish well, but Flat Creek, Blacktail Ponds, and Cottonwood Creek opened on August 1st and allow anglers a chance to fish to spooky, selectively feeding trout. Micro caddis (glossosoma), PMDs (infrequens), gray drakes, as well as grasshoppers and beetles are the most prevalent bugs on the water over the next several weeks. Some of the best patterns thus far have been Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12), gray Comparaduns (size 14 to 16), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 14 to 16), and Halo Emergers (size 14 to 18). Below the surface, the best producing flies have been Sulfur Emergers (s9ze 16 to 18), Pheasant Tails (size 16), and black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18). 5X leader is still doing the trick, but think about 6X in the next few weeks as a better option. Early morning (sunrise to 9am) and evening (6pm to sundown) are the best times to be on Flat Creek and Blacktail Ponds, but cloudy and wet weather could push that time period deeper into the morning and earlier into the afternoon.

Salt River

The Salt River (currently at 1100 cfs) is now in prime fishing condition and should remain so over the next couple of months. Double nymph rigs consisting of Prince Nymphs (size 10 to 16), black, red, olive, an rust Copper Johns (size 12 to 16), Hares Ear Nymphs (size 12 to 18), and Biot Bugs (size 12 to 14) are doing well in seams and confluence lines. Still, one of the beautiful aspects of the Salt River is the excellent dry fly fishing that can be found under certain conditions. Purple Hazes (size 16 to 18), Parachute Adams (size 18), Quigley Cripples (size 14 to 18), and Krystal Midge Emergers (size 18) are working well along slow, undercut banks and long riffles. Hatches are not overly present, but the dry fly fishing is still pretty damn good.

Green River

With flows at 800 cfs at Warren Bridge, the Green is starting to fish exceptionally well. Clarity is near 100% and there are broad hatches of yellow sallies, PMDs (inermis), caddis, gray drakes, and small golden stones (Acroneuria). Fishing tandem dry fly rigs along banks, seams, and submerged structure is producing solid results from approximately 8am until 1pm. Red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), Tara Xs (size 8), Will's Winged Chernobyl (size 10 to 8), and SRA Chernobyls (size 10 to 8) trailing Purple Hazes (size 12 to 14) Parachute Adams (size 12), Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 14), Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12 to 10) and Quigley Cripple (size 10 to 14) have been the most effective patterns.

Afternoon is leading to tougher fishing as water temperatures rise and Green River trout begin to feel the pressure of what has been more boats than usual each day, but trout can still be taken on large attractors like those mentioned above with a dropper nymph between 12 and 24 inches trailing behind or in front of the surface pattern. Black or copper Flashback Brassies (size 12 to 16) Copper Johns in red, black, and olive (size 12), Bloody Marys (size 10 to 12). These are producing along banks and seams.

Fly Fishing Report for July 31st, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

At long last the Snake River is dropping and clearing and much of it is becoming fishable with at least streamers and nymphs. Flows from Jackson Lake Dam currently stand at 2,800 cfs. Clear water and dry fly fishing can be found from Jackson Lake Dam down to approximately three miles below Pacific Creek. on this

reach there are nice hatches of caddis, small golden stoneflies (Acroneuria), black tricos, PMDs (infrequens) and LOTS of yellow sallies. Small to moderately sized cutthroat are being taken in riffles and along slow seams on Booty's Emerger (size 12), yellow Stimulators (size 10 t0 12), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 12 to 14), and CDC Caddis (size 14). Bigger cutties an be taken along fast banks and structure on red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8) Will's Red Ant (size 10), and red PMXs (size 8 to 10).

Below the Buffalo Fork of the Snake River, there is less clarity but more than enough to have action on Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Prince Nymphs (size 12), red or olive Copper Johns (size 10 to 16), and pink or Red San Juan Worms. These are being fished most effectively as part of a double nymph rig with a large rubber leg stone nymph or caddis larva pattern. We are also seeing large trout being taken on big articulated streamers fished tight to banks and structure. The most productive have been Booty's Quad Bunny, Galloup's Sex Dungeon, and Silvey's Sculpin, all in light colors like light olive, yellow, and white.

As flows continue to drop and clarity increases over the next month, expect more large cutthroat to make their way down from the tributaries and into the main river.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades Reservoir have dropped to 13,500cfs. Clarity remains an issue, but fishing is picking up on most sections, particularly the lower reach below Heise Bridge and the upper reach in Swan Valley. Double nymph rigs are working very well in riffles, fast current lines, and especially along banks. Hatches have not been strong, but as flows drop, aquatic larva are retreating from banks and shallow bars parts of the riverbed with more water and current. Hence the action we are now getting on Pat's Rubber Leg Stone (size 10 to 4), Q's Yellow Sally Nymph (size 10 to 12), Cyclops Lightening Bugs (size 10 to 12), red, olive, and black Copper Johns (size 12 to 14), and Zug Bugs and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 16).

We are also seeing big trout being taken on a variety of medium and large sized streamers (size 2 to 8) fished close to banks, through riffle pools and along structure. Brown over tan Clouser Minnows, Doll Hair Thunder Minnows, black or brown Bow River Buggers, and Butt Monkeys have been particularly effective.

Lastly, we are beginning to see signs of increased dry fly activity in riffles and shallow seams in the lower Canyon and in the lower reach of the river below Heise Bridge. This is generally happening later in the day (after 2pm) and when there are signs of at least moderate emergences of PMDs and caddis. As flow levels drop and clarity increases, dry fly action should pick up in a very big way.

Green River

Flows on the Green River continue to drop and as they do, action is picking up on streamers and nymphs above Warren Bridge and on the lower reach from Daniel down to Sommers. Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 10), 20-Inchers (size 10 to 12), Robins (size 12 to 14), and chartruese, black, and rust Copper Johns (size 10 to 14) have been the best producing nymph patterns. San Juan Worms in pink, rust, and red have also been effective. Dry fly fishing is starting come around in a more consistent fashion, especially above Daniel Bridge. Large attractors - Circus Peanuts, Will's Winged Chernobyl, Rainy's Foam Hopper, and Double Humpies - as well as large gray drake imitations (Booty's Snake Drake Emerger, Parachute Hare's Ear) have been solid producers thus far. Thee flies are working best along weedy cutbanks and structure, as well as slow recirculating eddies and seams.

The most productive streamers have been Clouser Minnows (olive over white, rust over white, and chartruese over white), Beldar Buggers (olive or black), and Bow River Buggers (gray, black, or olive). These are working best fished tight to best when fished tight to banks and structure and retrieved with a moderate to fast strip.

Fly Fishing Report for July 21st, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River
At long last we are seeing a significant drop in the runoff and with it has come a drop in flows from Jackson Lake Dam. The typical July emergence of aquatic insects - small golden stones, caddis, gray drakes, PMDs, and yellow sallies - are occurring throughout the watershed, but it is the upper reach of the river from Jackson Lake Dam down to approximately three miles below the confluence with the Buffalo Fork that fishing has been best, and this includes dry fly fishing. cutthroat and brown trout are being taken on yellow Stimulators (size 10 to 12), Sallie Emergers (size 10 to 12), Parachute Adams (size 14 to 16), and olive or black X-Caddis (size 12), as well as larger stonefly and attractor patterns like Snake River Water Walkers (size 10), and Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10). Below the surface, Lightening Bugs (size 10 to 14), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 14), and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 16) as part of a dropper rig or double nymph rig.

South Fork
Flows out of Palisades Reservoir were cut significantly over the past week but have since went back up to 23,600 cfs. Fishing is tough, but trout can be taken on double nymph rigs consisting on a stonefly nymph (size 4 to 8) and San Juan Worms. Slower water at the tails of riffles and seams, as well as recirculating eddies are the key pieces of water to target. Once flows begin to drop again, the South Fork will most likely experience some of the best fishing in years.



Green River
The Green is still well above normal (2,300 cfs at Warren Bridge) but fishing surprisingly well. A very broad hatch is occurring along the river, consisting of small golden stones, infrequen PMDs, green drakes, gray drakes, caddis, and yellow sallies. Slower back waters are producing with San Juan Worms in tan or pink, but so too are faster banks with San Juan Worms as well as Zug Bugs (size 10 to 12) and Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14). We are even experiencing dry fly action now along slower banks and in the slower water down stream of structure with Quigley Cripples (size 12), Booty's Drake Emergers (size 10 to 12), and Parachute Extended Body PMDs (size 12 to 14). The upper river is fishing best from the Forest Service Boundary, down through the BLM Campgrounds, past Warren Bridge, and down to Daniel Bridge. Expect the rest of the river to pick up with action as flows drop below 1,500 cfs.

New Fork
The New Fork is flowing at almost three times of normal but the fishing has been very strong on large attractors, large streamers (especially Zoo Cougars, Butt Monkeys, and Quad Bunnies), and big nymphs. Town to Boulder has been one of the best stretches. It will be interesting to see how well that New Fork fishes when flows drop to normal.

Fly Fishing Report for July 11th, 2011 by Boots Allen

Yellowstone National Park
The lakes of Yellowstone National Park continue to fish very well. This is especially the case with Lewis Lake and the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. Consistency in activity has been based in large part on the types of flies, sink tips, retrieve and piece of water being fished. The best flies have been Clouser Minnows, Bling Minnows, and Bow River Buggers in lighter shades of olive or gray. Sink-tips from between long belly intermediates to TYPE VIs have been working best with slow to moderate retrieves. Lastly, the best action has been occurring it the transition zones between flats and the descent of the lake bed down to the 6 foot depth of the thremocline. At times, cutthroat, brown trout, and smaller lake trout can be caught as the are cruising the flats and feeding on drakes and callibaetis, but the best action has been in the deeper lies of the lakes that are accessible with a fly rod.

Henry's Fork
The Henry's Fork is still a good option during this time of high water in the region. Decent dry fly action is occurring from Warm River to Ashton and from Oro Bridge down to Chester on imitations of golden stones, PMDs, caddis, and yellow sallies. Further upstream, the reach of river in Lower Mesa and from Riverside to Hatchery Ford have produced with smaller nymphs - blue Copper Johns (size 14), Biot Bugs (size 14) and Bubbleback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) - as well as larger streamers like Quad Bunnies and Sex Dungeons. Evening hatches of caddis have been bringing trout to the surface in the Railroad Ranch section of the Henry's Fork. Box Canyon still fishes a little on the slow side but is doing much better now that flows have dropped to below 1000 cfs from Island Park Reservoir.

Also worth prospecting are Henry's Lake and Island Park Reservoir. Henry's Lake is fishing solid with double nymph rigs stripped consisting of Prince Nymphs (size 10) Soft Hackles (size 14 to 16), and olive or chartreuse Copper Johns (size 12 to 16). Strikes are coming on fairly slow retrieves.

Snake River
High and muddy still but fair fishing can be found from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek. Here there is noticeably clearer water and trout are being taken on double nymph rigs consisting of Pat's Rubber Legs (size 6 to 8), San Juan Worms, and Micro Stones (size 10 to 12). There is even a little dry fly activity in the riffles on Parachute Adams (size 18) and Red Butt Sallies (size 10 to 12). Expect this to change in the next week or as releases from Jackson Lake Dam (currently at 2,300 cfs) must be increased to meet inflow from upstream.

South Fork
The South Fork was showing signs of increased clarity and and better fishing on nymphs and streamers, but flows have recently been increased to 23,000 cfs. This will put the fishing off for a little while, but once the flows have settled and the increased clarity returns, we should see decent fishing again. The South Fork can be fished successfully at around 21,000 cfs, ala' 2009.

Fishing Report for July 2nd, 2011 by Boots Allen

Yellowstone National Park

Lewis Lake is fishing very well with Clousers (olive or white), olive or yellow Mohair Leeches, silver Zonkers, and white or gray Bow River Buggers on Type VI and Type VIII sink tips in the transitional zones between the flats and the descent of the thermoclines to deeper water. We have notices that lake trout are beginning to feed in deeper water each day so it might be better to start fishing with T-11 or T-14 to reach the deeper feeding zones. Nonetheless, it is still possible to pick up cruising trout, particularly brown trout, on the flats in Brookie Bay and near the inlet in the morning hours between 8a. and 11 pm. There is even brown trout feeding on callibaetis and drake adults on the surface. When this event occurs, hit the flats with drake and quill imitations or strip a streamer on a intermediate tip or floating line through the feeding areas.

Yellowstone Lake is also fishing well in the vicinity of West Thumb. Some very big cutthroat are being taken on Fergus Strungout Leeches in olive-over-white and brown-over-white as well as CH Woolley Buggers in olive, white, and gray. These patterns are being fished on intermediate and floating lines close to shore and retrieved with a moderate strip.

The Firehole continues its up-and-down flows but is still fishing in a productive patterns at the tail-end on riffles, and tailouts with olive or cream Soft Hackles, Long Hackles Prince Nymphs, and Lightening Bugs.

Henry's Fork

Some of the best fishing in the region can still be found on the Henry's Fork. All sections from Railroad Ranch down to Chester are fishing productively and there is some decent dry fly action in the reaches of river from Lower Mesa down to Vernon. Golden Stone Fly patterns and PMD imitations have been the most successful surface flies fished in riffles, along structure, and a few feet off of banks. Dropper rigs still remain the best bet for size and number however when fished in the same water. Pat's Rubber Leg (size 6 to 8), Batmen (size 14 to 16), Bubble Back Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 16), and black or olive Copper Johns (size 14 to 18).

South Fork

Releases from Palisades Reservoir have dropped to 14,800 cfs and each day there is partial clearing on the South Fork. Fishing continues to pick up each few days on Double Nymph Rigs consisting of Pat's Rubber Legs and Parkins' Stone Nymph trailing San Juan Worms in pink, red, and brown or egg patterns in pink, chartruese, or yellow. A triple rig consisting of all three have been especially productive. This rigging is working at the down stream ends of riffles, tailouts, and seams where slower currents develop.

Streamers are also producing along banks and structure on intermediate and Type III sink tips with moderate to fast retrieves. Larger streamers - olive or black Sex Dungeons, tan Zoo Cougars, black over light olive Quad Bunnies, and black or silver Silvey Sculpins - have been the most successful baitfish patterns on the upper reach of the South Fork in Swan Valley and in the Canyon stretches.

Fly Fishing Report for June 22nd, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River
The runoff continues on the Snake River but the section of water running from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek has fishable clarity and continue to show signs of additional clearing each day. The standard double nymph rig consisting on large rubber leg stone nymphs (size 6 to 8) and red or pink San Juan Worms are picking up cutthroat along banks, structure and the tail end of riffles. Big browns ranging in size from 16 to 19 inches are also being taken at the tail end of riffles and along flats and inside seams. Streamer fishing has also been moderately productive with large sculpin and leech patterns on intermediate and TYPE III sink tips.

South Fork
Flows on the South Fork have been increased to 17,100 cfs and fishing remain really tough. One bright spot is that there is some clearing occurring although visibility remains limited. Heavily weighted nymph rigs that includes Pat's Rubber Legs with either San Juan Worms or Egg patterns are producing in bits and pieces on flats and in riffles on the Swan Valley section of river running from Palisades Reservoir down to Spring Creek Bridge.

Henry's Fork
With the opening of the Railroad Ranch section on June 15th, all reaches of the Henry's Fork are now available to fly fishing. Good reports are coming out of Henry's Lake with mid-sized streamers, including Clouser Minnows in olive-over-white, gray-over-white, and brown-over-white, and Lite Brite Zonkers in olive, black, and purple. Box Canyon is flowing at 1276 cfs. Anglers are having moderate success with double nymph rigs consisting of large stonefly nymph patterns trailing Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14), and Copper Johns (size 12 to 18) in olive, black, and red. Riverside to Hatchery Ford and Lower Mesa are fishing well with the same nymph rigs as in Box Canyon. There is also decent surface activity on March brown patterns (size 12 to 16) as well as old standbys like Parachute Adams (size 14 to 16), and Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 16).

Yellowstone National Park
The Firehole recently rose to above 350 cfs but has now dropped to below 200 cfs and is fishing very well with yellow, cream, or olive Soft Hackles (size 12 to 16), Batmen (size 12 to 14), Glasshouse Caddis Nymphs (size 14), olive, black, and blue Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), and Biot Bugs (size 12 to 16). Riffles and undercut banks remain the hot targets.

Yellowstone Lake is ice free now and fishing very well with mid-sized sculpin and leech patterns. Ice is coming off Lewis Lake but access is still difficult with heavy snow still blocking the boat ramp.

Green, New Fork, and Salt Rivers
Still high and off-color. It will still be a few weeks before we can begin to fish these streams.

Fishing Report for June 11th, 2011 by Boots Allen

South Fork
Flows from Palisades Dam have been decreased to just over 16,000 cfs and the river is showing signs of clearing somewhat. It is tough fishing but by the end of the June this river should be in much better shape. The South Fork is heading in the right direction.

Henry's Fork
The Henry's Fork is still offering some of the best fishing in the area. Flows are variable on the different sections, but the big news to come out of the Henry's is the appearance of the salmon fly hatch, almost every part of the river has experienced this emergence thus far. Double nymph rigs with a Pat's Rubber Leg or a Bitch Creek Nymph has been producing very well. We are also getting action on the surface as well with size 10 and small size 8 attractors like Tara Xs, Will's Chocolate Ant, Chubby Chernobyls. Lower Mesa and Riverside down to Hatchery Ford are two of the hotter sections as of now.

Snake River
The only fishable section of the Snake is from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek. The lake above has turned over and is causing a bit of dis-clarity on the river but it is far more clear than the rest of the river below Pacific Creek. Flows from Jackson Lake Dam have dropped to 3,100 cfs, making the fishing much better compared to the past two weeks. Pink or red San Juan Worms, Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 16) are doing well in riffles and along banks. We are seeing fish hit the surface, but not with enough consistency to warrant surface patterns yet.

Yellowstone National Park

The Firehole experienced a big peak over 450 cfs this past week but has receded to under 200 cfs and continues to fish as well as it has since opening day. Sporadic hatches of caddis, PMDs, and bwos are allowing anglers to go to the surface with dry flies. Nonetheless, nymphs are the best game in town. The standard double rig consisting of Green Beans (size 10 to 12), Long Hackle Prince Nymphs (size 10 to 12), black or olive Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), and Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 16) have been performing well, but the best pattern over the past two weeks have been blue Batmen (size 12 to 16). These are hammering Firehole trout in riffles and when swung along banks and structure.

Yellowstone Lake is mostly clear of ice and should be more than ready to go on June 15th (opening day).

Lewis Lake still has a lot of ice on it.

Fly Fishing Report for June 1st, 2011

Snake River

The Snake is well into runoff and will be for quite some time with a snowpack well over 230% still in the watershed. The one fishable reach is the tailwater section running from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek. Here the water is high (5,800 cfs) but is crystal clear and dropping by the day and water temps are getting up into the low 40s by late afternoon. There is little surface action, but trout are being taken on double nymph rigs with Prince Nymphs (size 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), and red or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 14). The fishing on this piece of the Snake is by no means "off the charts", but there is enough activity to keep an angler happy until more water opens up.

South Fork

The South Fork is running at 23,000 cfs and is very much off color from upstream runoff above Palisades Reservoir. We don't anticipate the South Fork to be fishable until the reservoir fills enough to allow sediment to settle. This might be a couple of weeks.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone opened to fishing on Memorial Day weekend and it is offering some of the best action in the region. Lewis Lake still has plenty of ice on it, but the Firehole River and Crayfish Creek are almost in ideal shape right now. Olive, cream, and white Soft Hackles (size 12 to 16) are working very well when swung through riffles and along seams and undercut banks. These same waters are producing with black or olive Copper Johns (size 14 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14), Rainbow Warriors (size 16 to 18), And Bubbleback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16). Blue-winged olives are emerging around mid-day, giving the best opportunity for dry fly fishing right now with bwo imitations - BWO Comparaduns (size 16 to 18) and olive Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 18) are particularly effective. These are some of the best streams an angler can be on right now.

Henry's Fork

With the cooler temps that came into the region last week, Henry's Fork tributaries have receded and allowed for a clearer river and some better fishing. Oro Bridge to Chester is fishing best of all. It is not in top-notch shape for this time of year but is offering fair fishing in comparison to most waters in the area. Riffles and inside turns are fishing well with red or pink San Juan Worms, Tungsten BH Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 16), and Glasshouse Caddis (size 14 to 16). The big news is that the salmon flies are beginning to pop in pockets from Chester up to Warm River. If this emergence begins to get going in earnest, the Henry's Fork could be a very good place to be.

Stream Flow and Fishing Report for May 18th, 2011

Unsettled weather has hit Snake River country with a bang! Sunny and warm for a few days, then cool with showers for a few days. All rivers in the area are in runoff. This is good news, but the peaks on each river will most likely vary until when get more consistently warm temps and sunny weather. At the very least, ice is starting to come off of the lakes. Runoff will last longer on most streams than usual with the Snow pack at over 190%. But some rivers have shorter overall runoffs than others. Here are some of our projections -

Expect the Teton River and the Henry's Fork to be in fishing shape sometime in early June. One bright spot is that Box Canyon is clear and has at least some fair fishing is being experienced.

The Green and the New Fork should be ready sometime in around the end of June and first of July.

Most believe that the South Fork below Palisades Dam will be fishing well as soon as the reservoir hits 30% capacity, which will allow sediment to settle and the discharge from the dam to run clear. The rest of the South Fork should be ready to by the last week of June hopefully.

The Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam is at 8,000 cfs and will not be ramped down until much more of a significant runoff develops. As soon as we get down to around 5,000 cfs, the stretch from Dam to Pacific will most likely start fishing (dependent on water temps). The rest of the Snake will probably not be fishing until the end of July at the earliest. But we have been wrong on this before.

We believe that the ice on Lewis Lake will be off by the end of the first week of June. The Firehole and the Madison are having fast runoffs, but the jury is out as to when it will be fishing. Opening day on May 27th.

Remember, these are only projections and things will change. Be ready for a big, but not necessarily fast, runoff. And be ready for some awesome fishing once the runoff ends.

Fishing Report and Stream Flows for May 8th, 2011

Snake River
The recent warming of temperatures have helped the fishing on the Snake to a certain degree. We are now experiencing some decent fishing on the lower reaches of the river from Deadman's Bar down to South Park Bridge. It is by no means on fire, but much better than what we had a week to two weeks ago. Side Channels and shallow riffles and seams are showing action on Lightening Bugs (size 10 to 14), olive, black, or red Copper Johns (size 10 to 14), Prince Nymphs (size 12) and Zug Bugs (size 12). Dry flies are also seeing some action in long riffles and along structure, as well as along the mouths of the numerous tributaries. Large attractors seem to be doing best - Kasey's Creature (size 8), red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), and olive or red SRA Chernobyls (size 10 to 8). Streamers are producing when fished along banks and structure, but there is very little by way of consistent action as of yet.

Flows from Jackson Lake Dam stand at 5000 cfs. Water temps on the tailwater section just below the dam are in the mid to upper 30 - a bit too chilly for the fishing to have picked up in a noticeable fashion on that reach. This may change in the coming week.

More warm weather is forecast over the next 10 days, so expect the runoff to start in earnest soon.


South Fork
Warmer weather has helped the fishing a little bit on the South Fork. Water temperatures have risen into the low 40s in the Canyon and the upper 30s to near 40 on the upper river in Swan Valley. Another factors in the uptick in fishing has been the fact that releases from Palisades Reservoir have been lowered to 14,000 cfs. The runoff has started on many of the tributaries both along the South Fork and above it in Palisades Reservoir. This has led to some discoloration on the river, but cutthroat and rainbows are still being taken on San Juan Worms, egg patterns, and large rubber leg stone fly nymphs in size 6 to 10.

Fishing should continue to get better as the river warms, but one issue to keep in mind is that the reservoir is only at 11% capacity and is down to only the original river channel in most places. This could mean that once the runoff starts upstream in Wyoming, we could see much of that sediment going straight through the dam and into the South Fork. The result could be one of the muddiest seasons on the South Fork in years.



Henry's Fork
Warmer temperatures have caused a bit of discoloration on the reach from Warm River to Ashton but much of the lower river (Ashton to Del Rio) has solid clarity and is fishing very well. The most prominent development over the past week has been initiation of the Mother's Day caddis hatch. Any section from the confluence with the South Fork upstream to Mesa Falls has a lot of caddis emerging throughout each day. This is producing a fair amount of surface action on olive or black X-Caddis (size 14 to 16) and Elk Hair Caddis (size 16). Nonetheless, it is nymphs that are working best, including Glass House Caddis (size 14 to 16), olive Copper Johns (size 14 to 16), and Z-Body Caddis (size 12 to 16). We are fishing these as double nymph rigs with Pat's Rubber Leg Stones and Crystal Creek Stone Nymphs. These big bugs are picking up fish as well, no doubt because salmon fly nymphs have been very active along much of the river.

Fishing Report and Stream Flow Report for April 29th, 2011

South Fork
The South Fork has been fishing quite well but recent cold temperatures have slowed the fishing noticeably. The feeling amongst many of us who have been fishing the South Fork over the past couple of weeks is that the cold temps, along with the flow levels being at 18,000 cfs, are translating to water temps too cool for much action. Fortunately, the forecast over the next several days calls for warmer temps and little precipitation. If we can stay stable at 18,000 cfs, we should see a return to some decent fishing on the South Fork.

Snake River
The recent increase in water levels have allowed trout to move into the side channels on the reach of river from Deadmans Bar down to South Park Bridge. The fishing in the side channels are one of the few places on the main river where there is respectable fishing, while the main channels and most of the riffles have been somewhat slow.

The one section of river that has offered somewhat more consistent action is the tailwater reach from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek. Here the clarity almost 100% and the releases from the Dam - currently at 5,000cfs - is more than enough to produce good fishing. Nonetheless, the fishing is very much dictated by water temps, and if it is below 40 degree, the fishing can all but shut down. There is dry fly action on some of the riffles and seams above Cattlemens and at the confluence of Pacific Creek when conditions allow. Standard midge and bwo patterns working best on the surface. Nymphs like Zug Bugs (size 14), Tungsten Midge Pupas (size 18 to 20), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 18), and black Copper Johns (size 16) can be productive throughout the day.

Henry's Fork
The Henry's Fork is still offering the best fly fishing in the area, although there has been a bit of slowing with the colder temps. As with the South Fork, there should be a pick up in action as warmer and drier weather moves in over the next week. Vernon to Chester and Warm River to Ashton have been the better pieces of water. Batmen (size 16 to 18), Lightening Bugs (size 16), Rainbow Warriors (size 18 to 20), Rojo Midges (SIZE 16 to 20), and Z-Wing Caddis Nymphs (size 14 to 18) are all producing in riffles and along submerged structure. Streamers are working very well for the bigger rainbows on from Warm River to Ashton. In particular, try Olive or black Bow River Buggers (size 2 to 4), Stacked Blondes (size 4), tan Zoo Cougars (size 2), and purple or black BH Zonkers (size 2) along submerged structure.

Green River
Recent cool temps have resulted in freezing upstream banks and tributaries, which in turn have resulted in a severe drop in stream flows (73 cfs at Warren Bridge). As temps warm, expect flows to increase and fishing to pick up significantly.

Fishing Report and Stream Flow Update for April 18, 2011

Snake River

Releases from Jackson Lake Dam are currently at 3,700 cfs and, despite the fact that the runoff has not officially started in the drainage, the river is beginning to go off color due primarily to the washing of banks. Flows should peak at 5,000 cfs this week. The Bureau of Reclamation reports that this level of release should hold into the 2nd week of May. If the releases are indeed stable at 5,000 cfs for the next three weeks, we should see much of the river from Deadmans Bar down to South Park begin to fish in a decent fashion.

The Snake River from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek is the one section that is starting to fish well. It is not on fire by any means, but it is possible to pick up cutthroat and lake trout on double nymph rigs, with much of the action being on black or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 18), Ice Cream Cone Midges (size 16), March Brown Nymphs (size 12) and Hare’s Ear Nymphs (size 12 to 14). As the flows on this section continue to rise, expect the fishing to get better and dry fly action to pick up when weather conditions permit.

South Fork

After having experienced steady flows at 14,000 cfs for almost a week, releases from Palisades Reservoir have increased to 16,000 cfs. Prior to this, fishing has been solid on the upper portion of the river in Swan Valley where action has been solid on double nymph rigs consisting of Pat’s Rubber Legs and Bitch Creek Nymphs trailing red or pink San Juan Worms (size 10), red Copper Johns (size 10 to 12), silver or gold Lightening Bugs (size 16), Murphys Mysis (size 16 to 18), and Beadhead Bubbleback Pheasant Tail Nymphs (size 14 to 16). The Bureau of Reclamation reports that releases at Palisades Dam will hold at 16,000 cfs until the fourth week of May, at which time there will be a flush to scour the rainbow beds. Give the South Fork a couple of days to stabilize at 16,000 cfs. We should see fishing on this upper section that is just as good as what we have had over the past couple of weeks. And most likely the Canyon sections will start to fish good as well.

Another section of the South Fork that is starting to fish well is below Heise Bridge and down to Menan Buttes. Structure, confluence points, and seams are all producing with the same type of nymph rigs that are producing on the upper reach in Swan Valley. Streamers are also working well when fished along structure, confluence points, seams, and banks. Quad Bunnies, Silveys Sculpins, and Butt Monkeys are the streamers producing best of all. This lower piece of water may slow down a bit as the flows go up, but we should see fishing on this section pick up as flows stabilize.

Henrys Fork

The Henrys Fork continues to offer some of the best fishing in the area, although weather conditions are playing a big role in that regard (45 degrees and above are ideal. Partly cloudy to cloudy with a little precipitation can be really good). Flows at St. Anthony are at 2,250 cfs and at Ashton they are at 1,540 cfs. From Warm River down to Ashton, action is very good on Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 16), Batmen (size 16 to 18), black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18), Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymphs (size 12 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 16). Streamers like Clouser Minnows, Fergus Strung-out Leeches, and black or olive Mohair Leeches are also producing early in the day, especially along submerged structure and flats.

Fishing on the lower Henrys Fork below Chester is also fishing well with streamers. Black, olive, and gray CH Bow River Buggers (size 2 to 4), black or olive Rubber Leg Krystal Buggers (size 2), and olive Marabou Buggers (size 2 to 6) are producing and bringing in some large brown trout.

Fishing and Stream Flow update for April 10th, 2011

Snake River Flows from Jackson Lake Dam will increase 20% a day until April 19th when flows should hit 5,000 cfs. This is a lot of water for this time of year, but we should see two beneficial aspects from this. First, as flows increase, side channels on the reach of river running from Deadman's Bar down to South Park will fill and allow trout to move into them. This is something that we experienced in 2007, when releases were at 4,500 cfs for most of August and into September. Second, the tailwater section of the river from the Dam down to Pacific Creek generally fishes well with higher water levels. 2,500 cfs to 4,500 cfs is ideal. 5,000 cfs will probably fish very well. In addition, it won't be impacted by the runoff and will run clear for the duration of the season. South Fork Releases from Palisades Dam are at 14,000 cfs and will most likely stay there until the reservoir experiences significant infill. This is a very high level for this time of year, but the South Fork is actually fishing very well due to the increase in the number of mysis shrimp coming in from the reservoir. Mysis shrimp imitations are bringing in big rainbows and cutbows from the dam down to Conant Boat Launch. Chilly temperatures are making surface action almost non-existent, but the production on double nymph rigs and smaller streamers (size 8 to size 6) is more than making up for the lack of activity on dry flies.

April 2nd Fishing Report and Spring Update

April is finally here. This is the biggest sleeper month of the season with good fishing throughout the Snake River region. Here is what is happening now -

Snake River

With air temperatures in the mid to upper 40s on a consistent basis, the Snake River is a very hard place to beat at the moment. Midges, bwos, and callibaetis are on the water on a fairly regular basis. Little green stoneflies can be found as well at times. The little greens are important, as they emerge on the Snake earlier in the year than almost anywhere else in the Rocky Mountain West. The window for dry fly fishing has opened significantly to around three to four hours on the warmer days. Boat launches at Wilson, South Park, and Astoria are open. The reach of the Snake River from Wilson to Astoria offer some of the best spring fishing in the area, so it is rather ideal that these access site are open.

Flies - Double nymph rigs that include Prince Nymphs (size 10), black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18), Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 18), and gray or black Tungsten Midge Pupas (size 18) has been the most consistent set-up for most of the day. But when the temps warm and trout start coming to the surface for midges and bwos, nothing is working better than gray or black Furimsky BDEs (size 18) olive Parachute Adams (size 18), and Parachute Extended Body BWOs (size 18).

South Fork

Release from Palisades Reservoir is now up to 10,000 cfs. This is by far the highest we have seen it in March. Since the flows have stabilized and the fish have acclimated we are now experiencing some better fishing despite the fact that the river is noticeably off color. The fishing is by no means off the charts, but a number of anglers are reporting success on Pat's Rubber Leg (size 8), gold Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 18), and a variety of mysis shrimp patterns (sizes 16 to 20). With flows already at 10,000 cfs, expect some very, very good fishing to occur through this spring and into June. 10,000 cfs is a terrific level at which to fish the South Fork, and it can be just as good into the 12,000 to 15,000 range.

Henry's Fork

Flows are stable and the fishing on the lower Henry's Fork is pretty damn good right now. Chester down to Del Rio Bridge has been fishing consistent with streamers, especially black or olive Woolley Buggers (size 4 to 6), black Zonkers (size 4 to 6), and olive Conehead Beldar Buggers (size 2 to 4). Nymphing has also been productive with olive or red Copper Johns (size 12 to 16), Rainbow Warriors (size 18), and Lightening Bugs (size14 to 18). Below Del Rio, streamers are definitely hammering it home when fished with a intermediate to a TYPE III tip.

Warm River to Ashton is also fishing very well, although the boat launch site are somewhat difficult to negotiate due to a lingering snow pack. The same types of streamers and nymphs that are working on the lower river are also working on this reach of the Henry's Fork, but so too are purple Zebra Midges (size 18 to 20) and blue Batmen (size 16 to 18).

Spring Flow Update

In advance of what will likely be a big runoff, the Bureau of Reclamation is releasing water early from the Snake River Reservoirs. Jackson Lake Dam is currently at 550 cfs and is predicted to hit 1500 cfs by the middle of April. The reservoir itself is 78% full. These releases could spell good things for fishing below Jackson and down to Pacific Creek. This section generally starts fishing well at 1000 to 1500 cfs and really hits its stride at 2500 cfs. Last year, we did not hit these levels until the second week of June. So it could be a really good April and May for this piece of water.

Releases from Palisades Reservoir are now up to 10,000 cfs, by far the highest we have seen them at this time of year. As these flows level off and the fish acclimate, be prepared for some very solid fishing through April, May and into June.