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.