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.