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.