Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for May 20th, 2012 by Boots Allen

Snake River
The tailwater reach from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek is the place to be at the moment if one is fishing the Snake River.  This stretch is gin clear and gets better as flows increase.  Currently releases from Jackson Lake Dam are at 5,000 cfs.  Water temperatures are fairly cold at 33 degrees to 46 degrees, but this is not limiting hatches of midges and blue-winged olives (the latter when there is a little precipitation and overcast skies.  Nymphing is the way to go at the moment.  In generally, deep nymphing with 10 to 12 feet of leader and double rigs with moderate weight is the way to go.  Patterns such as Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 16), Rainbow Warriors (size 18 to 20), Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupas (size 16 to 18), and Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20)  have been amongst the better producers. 
Dry fly action is occurring at certain times of the day(primarily in early to mid-afternoon) in specific riffles and seams.  BWO Comparaduns (size 16 to18), Booty's Better BWO Emergers (size 16 to 18), BWO Sparkle Duns (size 18), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 18), and Krystal Wing Midges (size 18) are producing well.
South Fork
The South Fork continues to fish better than any other stream in the region.  Flows from Palisades Reservoir are at 11,000 cfs and the stream is very clear despite continued runoff from tributaries.  The upper reach of the South Fork is fishing well with nymphs.  Below the dam, egg and shrimp patterns are working well.  Further downstream, success is coming on double nymph rigs consisting of Pat's Rubber Legs (size 6 to 10), RP Muskrats (size 6 to 10), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Batmen (size 14 to 16), Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16 to 18), and San Juan Worms.

In the Canyon reach, nymphs similar to those being used with success upstream in Swan Valley are producing.  Streamers are also working well in the Canyon along banks and structure.  Clouser minnows, Marabou Muddlers in olive or black, and BH Zonkers in purple, olive, or black are producing better than other patterns, but almost any baitfish will garner some success as long it is not overly large.

Dry fly action has been absent on most of the river despite hatchs of blue-winged olives, caddis, midges, and some PMDs.  Cloudy and wet weather produces some better fishing on the surface in riffles, flats, and seams.  Standard midge adult patterns are working, as are blue-winged olives and caddis patterns like CDC Caddis Duns in olive (size 14), U-Con Caddis in olive or black (size 14 to 16), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18), and Furimsky BDEs in olve or gray (size 18).

Henry's Fork
The Henry's Fork was off to a slow start this season, but things have come around and she is fishing really well for this time of year.  The big news is that the salmon fly hatch is underway and working their way upstream.  Currently they are in the vicinity of Vernon Bridge and should be up to the Warm River by the end of this week.  In addition, there is also moderate to heavy hatches of caddis on most reaches of the stream.  

Double nymph rigs are working well with Pat's Rubber Legs (size 6 to 10), RP Muskrats (size 6 to 8), and Sanchez's Sparkle Stone Nymph (size 6 to 8) taking the lion's share of the trout as one would expect.  Quick Descent Nymphs (size 16) in olive and Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 16) are also productive as either trailer or lead nymphs.

Dry fly action is becoming more and more productive as emergences intensify.  Elk Hair Caddis (size 14 to 16), Furimsky BDEs (size 14 to 16) and U-Con Emergers (size14 to 18) are working well in riffles and seams.  Larger attractors and stonefly imitations are working well along banks and structure.

Snake River Fly Fishing Report for May 13th, 2012 by Boots Allen

Snake River
The Snake River is in runoff on most sections.  The hot spot currently is on the tailwater reach from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek.  This section is crystal clear coming from the dam and flows are at 2,400 cfs.  We are picking up trout mostly on nymphs including Lightening Bugs (size 16 to 18), Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20), Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18), Prince Nymphs (size 10 to 20), Zug Bugs (size 10 to 20), black, red, or olive Copper Johns (size 18), rainbow Warriors (size 18 to 20), Batmen (size 16 to 18), black, or olive Pat's Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10), and RP Muskrats (size 8 to 10).

There is also intermittent surface activity as trout key in on midges and blue-winged olives in riffles and seams.  Will's Married Midge (size 16), Parachute Midge Emergers (size 18), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18), Booty's BWO Emerger (size 16), and BWO Comparaduns (size 16 to 18) are productive, especially on the upper half of the tailwater reach above Cattleman's.

South Fork
The South Fork is fishing better by the day and currently might be the best stream in the area for fly fishing.  Flows from Palisades Reservoir are currently at 10,500 cfs.  The upper reach in Swan Valley is fishing well, particularly from the dam down through the Sheep Creek Riffles.  Simple scud, shrimp, and egg patterns are bringing in big rainbows as they stack up in this reach to spawn.  From Spring Creek Bridge down through the Canyon, nymphs are also successful, especially in riffles and along banks.  Black, olive, or orange Pat's Rubber Legs (size 6 to 8), Sanchez's Sparkle Stone Nymphs (size 6 to 10), San Juan Worms, Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16 to 18), and Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16) have been the most productive, particularly in the middle reach of the Canyon.

Streamers are working well in the Canyon when fished along banks and structure.  It is the classic May "White-Bite" and it is just getting underway.  Clouser Minnows, McCune Sculpins, gray or white Bow River Buggers, Stacked Blondes, and white Mohair Leeches have been amongst the most successful baitfish imitations and are bringing in large brown trout and cutthroat.  The trick is to keep these patterns moderate in size and not go too big.    

Dry fly action is good on days with cloudy and wet weather as trout key in on blue-winged olives and midges in riffles, seams, and recirculating eddies.  The same patterns being used with success on the Snake below Jackson Lake Dam are working in these water types on the South Fork.  In addition, we are seeing a lot of skwalas in Canyon, but we have yet to see a lot of movement to imitations of these stoneflies as of yet.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for May 6th, 2012 by Boots Allen

Snake River
The Snake is in runoff but has clear significantly over the past few days with the cooler weather we have had in the area.  Nymphs and streamers have been working best.  Nymphs are productive in riffles and seams and along banks.  Pat's Rubber Legs (size 10 to 8), RP Muskrats (size 10 to 8), Copper Johns (size 12 to 16) in red, olive, or black, Elk Liver Nymphs (size 10 to 12), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 10 to 14) have done well in these water types.

Streamers are working when fished on intermediate or Type III sink tips along banks and structure.  Stacked Blondes, Silvey Sculpins, J.J. Specials, Quad Bunnies, and Butt Monkey's have been the most productive patterns.
Dry fly action is occurring sporadically in riffles, flats and seams, particularly in the middle reach of the river from Moose to South Park, as well as the upper canyon from South Park to Elbow.  Most of the surface feeding has been on midges and blue-winged olives.  Krystal Midges (size 18), Will's Married Midges (size 16), Parachute Extended Body BWOS (size 18) and Furmisky BDEs (size 16 to 18) in olive or gray are doing well when fished in tandem.  Large attractors are bringing up cutthroats when fish TIGHT along banks and structure, but it really has to be tight.

Substantially warm and dry weather is predicted over the next week and a half and this will no doubt put the Snake back into full runoff mode.  One encouraging note is that releases from Jackson Lake Dam continue to go up.  This will put the tailwater section from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek in a good level to fish. 

South Fork
Releases from Palisades Reservoir are currently at 9,000 cfs.  Water temperatures have been chilly - between 41 and 43 degrees - but there is good action on nymphs from the Dam down to Palisades Creek.  Egg and scud patterns fished with long leader (10 to 12 feet) and split shot are working the well is this part of the river and getting anglers into some large rainbows and brown trout.

Further downstream there is action on the standard stonefly nymph/worm riggings and on small streamers like Bow River Buggers, Mohair Leeches and Clouser Minnows.

While water temperatures are cold, the water is clear and this is allowing trout to come to the surface in the lower part of the Swan Valley reach and the upper Canyon.  This activity is occurring almost exclusively in riffles and on riffle shelves as cutthroats and rainbows rise to midges and blue-winged olives.  Will's Married Midges (size 16 to 18), BWO Comparaduns (size 18), and Parachute Tricos (size 18) are productive, as are many other small chironomid and mayfly patterns.

Green River
Cooler temperatures have allowed the Green to drop and clear significantly over the past week.  Nymphs like Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 14), Copper Johns (size 10 to 14) in red, olive, blue, or black, Batmen (size 14 to 16),Sanchez Sparkle Stones (size 6 to 8) and Pat's Rubber Legs (size 6 to 10) are working best along submerged structure and in eddies.  Streamers are also fishing well along banks and submerged structure.  Butt Monkeys, Zoo Cougars, McCune Sculpins, Kiwi Muddlers, and Marabou Muddlers have been amongst the most productive streamers.

Blue-winged olives and midges are evident on most days and this is bringing up browns and rainbows in riffles and seams.  Large attractors like Circus Peanuts (size 10), Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), and Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10 to 8) are bringing up trout sporadically along banks and submerged structure.

Warmer temps this coming week will no doubt put the Green back into runoff for a little while longer.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for April 30th, 2012 by Boots Allen

Snake River
The Snake is currently in full runoff mode.  With this years light snowpack and the forecast for a dry spring, we expect this year's muddy water to be relatively short by Snake River standards. The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing flows out of Jackson Lake Dam.  Currently they stand at 750 cfs.  As they go up with the runoff and the diminishing capacity of the the reservoir, we should see these flows go up fast in the coming weeks.  This should open up the tailwater section of the Snake from the Dam down to Pacific Creek to some really good fishing while the rest of the river is still off color.  Stay tuned for future developments.
South Fork
Flows from the Palisades Reservoir have increase steadily over the past week by about 1,000 cfs every day or other day.  Releases currently stand at 10,000 cfs.  This has negated the surface action we were getting into last week but subsurface action is steady.  The upper reach in Swan Valley is crystal clear and fishing well with egg and shrimp patterns (silver, white, or gold and size 14 to 18) on long leaders - 10 to 12 ft - and added split shot.
Downstream of the dam in the vicinity of Husky boat launch, these same patterns will produce but a better bet is to go with a standard stonefly nymph and San Juan Worm in red or pink.  These flies will produce on downstream until Rainey Creek.  Fish these nymph rigs on deep seams, through riffles, and along banks for the best results.

Streamers are producing on both the upper river in Swan Valley and the Canyon reach, the latter of which is slightly off color from runoff produced by Palisades, Rainey, and Pine creeks.  Baitfish imitations like Silvey Sculpins (black, gray, and green), Butt Monkeys (rust or olive), Booty's Quad Bunny (black, white or olive), Stacked Blondes, J.J. Specials, Clouser Minnows, and Kiwi Muddlers (black, olive, white, or rust) are producing on banks, submerged structure, and the tailouts of seams.  We are fishing these on intermediate and Type III sink tips.

Green River
The Green River has come up significantly over the past week and is noticeably more off-color.  We are still catching trout on nymphs and streamers.  Double Nymph Rigs composed of Pat's Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10) or RP Muskrats (size 8 to 10) with San Juan Worm, Lightening Bugs (size 10 to 14), Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 16), and red, olive, or black Copper Johns (size 12 to 16) as trailers are producing along submerged structure, banks, and riffles.  Streamers like Bow River Buggers (black, olive, or rust), SRA Bunnies (olive, black, or gray), Quad Bunnies (black or olive) and Zoo Cougars (olive or black) are also producing in the same water.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for April 22nd, 2012 by Boots Allen

Snake River

Continued warm air temperatures are leading to continued dyr fly action on the Snake River. Runoff is yet to start and the Snake is still crystal clear for the most part. However, the forecast for temperatures in mid-70s over the next several days might put the river into runoff soon.  Get out and fish it while you can.
Hatches have been heavily dependent on the weather we have in the area on a given day.  Midges, minute caddis, and blue-winged olives are the dominant hatches on those days when we have cloudy weather with precipitation.  Riffles, flats, and shallow banks with moderate current are fishing very well in the afternoon until dusk. Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 18), Furimsky BDEs (size 18), Quigley Cripples (size 16), and Booty's BWO Emerger (size 16 to 18) have been most productive in these water types. Larger attractors like Stimulators (size 10 to 12) and Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10 to 12) are working well along banks and structure.
On warm, sunny days (which we have had a lot of), Skwalas and large caddis (Brachycentrus and Hydropsyche primarily) have been emerging with a lot of consistency to the point that dry flies can be fished all day.  Kasey's Creature (size 10), Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10 to 12), PMXs (size 10 to 12), and Stimulator Xs (size 10), can be fished along banks, structure, and in eddies with success.  These flies are bringing up some pretty gerthy cutthroats.
Nymphing is productive throughout the day in most types of holding water. Liver Nymphs (size 14), Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16 to 18), Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 16 to 18) do well when fished in tandem with larger attractor nymphs.

South Fork
Releases from Palisades Reservoir have been dropping fast.  We have gone from 10,000 cfs early last week to 6,000 cfs as of last night.  The good news on the South Fork is that dry fly fishing has been getting better and better with each day in the Canyon reach and the upper in Swan Valley.  Much of this is due to the strong caddis emergences that have been evident over the past couple of days.  Chironomids have also been appearing throughout the watershed.  Riffles, flats, seams and eddies are good water types for fishing dry flies currently.  Olive or tan U-Con Caddis (size 14), olive, tan, or black CDC Elk Hair Caddis (size 10 to 16), olive Stimulators (size 12 to 14), and CDC Wing Caddis (size 14 to 16) have been very productive.  In fact, caddis imitations are about all you need on the suface currently.  In addition, Booty's BWO Emerger (size 16), black Parachute Tricos (size 18), Halo Emergers (size 16) and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 18) have been working when fished in tandem with larger mayfly and caddis imitations.

Nymph fishing continues to be productive in riffles, eddies, and seams.  Czech Mate Nymphs (size 14 to 18), Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16), Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 18), Mercer's Z-Wing Caddis (size 16), Dorsey's Mercury Caddis (size 14 to 16), Booty's Quick Decent Caddis (size 14 to 16) and Batmen (size 16) are performing best of all.

 

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for April 15th, 2012 by Boots Allen

Snake River

The Snake continues to fish very well with dry flies on the lower and middle reaches from Moose Bridge down to West Table. Riffles, seams, eddies, and flats are alive with rising cutthroat throughout most of the day. Midges are the dominant emergence with a smattering of blue-winged olives and Capnia stoneflies about as well as a few October caddis. Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 18)Griffith's Gnats (size 18), Parachute LBSs (size 18), and Booty's Mahogany Emergers (size 16 to 18) being the best patterns in these water types. Although there are only a few Skwalas being seen throughout the day, but larger patterns like Stimulator Xs (size 12) and Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10 to 12) are bringing up large cutthroat at the head of riffles and along shallow banks.

Nymphs are producing good size and number in a variety of holding water types, but particularly along banks and structure and along the entire length of seams. Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18), Batmen (size 16 to 18), Prince Nymphs (size 16), and Elk Liver Nymphs (size 16) are working well when fished with double nymphs rigs.

Streamers are also working well along banks and structure and in seams. Egg Laying Zonkers, Clouser Minnows, Silvey Sculpins, and small Zoo Cougars have been doing the trick through most days and in most weather conditions.

South Fork

The Bureau of Reclamation has held flows from Palisades Dam steady at 10,000 cfs and this has allowed the river to to stabilized from a fishing standpoint. Dry fly action is almost nil, but nymphing has been productive in riffles, seams, and eddies. Double nymph rigs consisting of Pat's Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10) and Kaufmann Stone Nymphs (size 8 to 10) fished with Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 18), Supermen (size 14 to 16), and Copper Johns (size 14 to 18) in black or olive are catching rainbows and cutthroat in most water types and on most reaches of the river.

A lot of anglers are having success on streamers on the low reach of the South Fork from Wolf Eddy down to Menan Buttes. Flash Fries, Bow River Buggers in rust, olive, or black, Booty's Quad Bunny, and Marabou Muddlers in olive or brown have been productive, especially along banks, structure, and when trolled at the head of seams.

Henry's Fork

The Henry's Fork remains somewhat off-color but some clearing has occurred with the cooler weather over the past couple of days. The reach below Vernon Bridge and below Chester Dam are fishing OK with nymphs in riffles and along banks and submerged structure. Lighten Bugs (size 14 to 18), Hickey's Auto Nymph (size 16 to 18), Czech Mate Nymphs (size 14 to 18), Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20), and R.W. Chamois Caddis (size 14 to 18) are producing well when fished in tandem with larger stonefly patterns.

Streamers are also bringing in trout on these same reaches of river when fished along banks and structure. Dark colored patterns seem to be working best, most likely due to the off-color water and recent cloudy weather. Among the more productive baitfish imitations are Beadhead Zonkers in olive, black, or purple, and Kiwi Muddlers in black or olive.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for April 8th, 2012 by Boots Allebn

Snake River

The Snake continues to be one of the better streams in the area to fish just about anything, from dry flies to nymphs to streamers. Chironomids remain the dominant aquatic insect emergence with very sporadic hatches of blue-winged olives and Capnia stoneflies intermixed. There are also a few October caddis and mahogany duns about. These are sparse hatches of autumn insects that will appear every now and then in the spring. Riffle have been active with surface feeding trout on black Furimsky BDEs (size 18), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18), Krystal Midge Emergers (size 18), black Parachute Tricos (size 18 to 20), and Parachute Extended Body Midges and BWOs (size 18 to 20). These patterns are also bringing up cutthroat on seams and on shallow banks. What is impressive this past week is the size of cutthroat on banks with slow currents in depths of less than one foot. Seeing 18" to 20" cutties rise slowly to these small patterns is as classic as it gets during early season.

Nymphing is a good way to go when not targeting rising trout. Double nymph rigs consisting or PR Muskrats (size 8 to 10) and Pat's Rubber Leg (size 8 to 10) fished in tandem with Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18) black, olive, or red Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), Batmen (size 16), Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 18) are working well along banks and seams.

Cutthroats are in full eat-and-chase mode on streamers along seams and banks, and are the only pattern bringing trout off of their lies along structure. Silvey's Sculpins in gray, white, or black, McCune Sculpins in gray or white, black or white Booty's Quad Bunny, and J.J. Specials are among the most consistent streamers.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades have increased this past week from 4,500 cfs to 10,000 cfs to move water down to American Falls Reservoir and to increase capacity in Palisades Reservoir in preparation for the coming runoff. Bureau of Reclamation might be continuing their increase to 12,000 or 14,000 cfs. Once flows stabilize, or begin to ramp down, we expect the river to start fishing well again, although it is hard to tell with flows at that level this early in the season. Stay tuned for future reports.

Henry's Fork

The Henry's Fork is still fishing in a temperamental fashion. There is off-color water on most sections that are currently open to fishing. Caddis and chironomids are hatching intermittently throughout the watershed. Riffles are fishing OK with Hickey's Auto Nymph (size 16 to 18), 20-Inchers (size 10), and Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14).

The Warm River reach of the Henry's Fork is a bit chalky but fishing decent with nymphs and streamers. Flash Fries in olive-over-white, J.J. Specials, Tequilley's, and Bow River Buggers in rust, olive, and black are fishing well along banks and submerged structure, particularly on the upper reach.

Lake Ice-Out Update

Ice is beginning to melt and break-up on Palisades Reservoir as thanks to warming temperatures and decreasing lake levels. We are also seeing blue ice on Jackson Lake, indications of a pending early ice-out. We hope to be putting boats on these stillwater bodies some and bring a report on how early season fishing is going.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for April 1st, 2012 by Boots Allen

April is officially upon us. This has traditionally been the start of the fishing season in Jackson Hole. Year around fishing took affect in 2003 (on much of the South Fork opening day was May 1st until regulations changed in 2003). April has always been marked by gin clear streams, warming temperatures, and hungry trout coming out of a long winter. The difference this year is that March has felt a lot like April. Luckily for us fly fishers, the forecast for much of this coming week is continued warm weather and, most likely, continued good fishing. Here is how our rivers are looking now.

Snake River

Fishing remains good throughout most reaches of the river. Surface action has been variable with activity concentrated in the afternoon on some days and in the morning on others. Blue-winged olive hatches have been more sporadic compared to the previous two weeks with chironomids making up the lion's share of of emergences. Dry fly fishing has been best on side channels and the tail of seams on the main channels with Furimsky BDEs (size 18), Parachute Midge Emergers (size 18 to 20), Griffiths Gnats (size 18), Parachute Extended Body BWOS (size 16 to 18) and Parachute Tricos (size 18) being the most productive patterns.

Nymphing has been good along banks with moderate depths and along the entire length of seams. On the seams, be sure to fish your rigging completely through the tail, as a lot of trout are being picked up there. Double nymph rigs consisting of black Pats Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10), PR Muskrats (size 8 to 10), red or black Copper Johns (size 16), Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 18), and Batmen (size 16) have been working best of all. The action on Pats Rubber Leg patterns has been

impressive.

Cutthroats continue to move to streamers fished along banks and structure. Patterns like Booty's Quad Bunny in black and olive, Meat Sticks in black and olive, and Bow River Buggers in olive, black, or rust have been most successful amongst the anglers we have guided over the past week.

South Fork

Releases from Palisades Reservoir remain at approximately 6100 cfs. Dry fly action has waned noticeably over the past week but the South Fork is still fishing good with nymphs, particularly on the upper reach in Swan Valley and the lower reach from Hiese Bridge down to Menan Buttes. Banks, riffle pools, and seams have been productive targets. Double nymph rigs consisting of Sanchez Sparkle Stones (size 8), PR Muskrats (size 8 to 10), black or olive Pats Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10), Bubbleback Sparkle Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 18), Lightening Bugs (size 14), red or black Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18), and Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 18) are working well in most water types.

Streamer action has picked up on the lower reaches from Twin Bridges down to Menan Buttes when they are fished along grassy banks and structure. Olive or black Sex Dungeons, black or olive Booty's Quad Bunnies, black or gray Silvey's Sculpins, and rust Zoo Cougars have been producing with moderate retrieves on intermediate and Type III sink tips.

Henry's Fork

Action has been sporadic on nymphs rigs, but trout are still being picked up in riffle pools, along banks, and along the entire length of seams. Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16 to 18), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 16 to 18), and gold Lightening Bugs (size 16 to 18) are productive when fished in tandem with a 20-Incher (size 10) or a Pats Rubber Leg (size 8 to 10).

Some of the tributaries on the Henry's Fork are up and this is producing off-color water conditions on the river, especially on the lower reaches. One tributary that has been clear and fishing well is the Fall River. Rainbows of consistent size - 12" to 14" - are being caught on banks and in riffle with many of the same nymphs that are working on the Henry's Fork, as well as LOF Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16), and Biot Bugs (size 14). The LOF in particular is working like a charm when swung through riffles and at the tail of seams.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for March 25th, 2012 by Boots Allen

The warm weather is back, and it looks like it will be here for several days. The excellent fishing from last week should be more than matched this week as air temperatures rise into the 60s in Swan Valley, Jackson Hole, Teton Valley, and the Island Park area. Here is what we have been experiencing over the past few days.

Snake River

All boat launches from Moose Bridge In Grand Teton National Park to Elbow in Bridger-Teton National Forest are open and accessible to watercraft.

Air temperatures have been five degrees warmer on average downstream of the Gros Ventre River confluence than they are further upstream. Hatches of midges, blue-wing olives, and micro caddis are evident. We are also starting to see a small number of skwalas. Nymphs such as Batmen (size 14 to 16), black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18), Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 18), and Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 16) have been working consistently throughout the day. But by 12pm we are seeing constant surface action in riffles and seams, especially in side channels. Standard midge and blue-winged olive patterns like Challenged BWO Emergers (size 16 to 18) and Parachute Midge Emergers (size 18) are working well, but one of the best patterns going at the moment are size 18 trico duns, which are obviously imitating midges.

Slowly but surely, cutthroat on the Snake River are starting to take streamers as water temperatures continue to warm through March. Black, gray, and rust Silvey Sculpins, rust Zoo Cougars, and black or white Morrish Sculpins are attracting large cutties as they are swung and stripped along banks and riffle pools. There is not a lot of consistently yet, but action on streamers is moving in the right direction.

South Fork

All boat launches on the South Fork are acessible.

Flows from Palisades Reservoir remain at approximately 6,100 cfs. Surface action on the surface is not as strong as what is happening on the Snake, but riffles, flats, and small seams do come alive for a few hours in the afternoon on just about all reaches of river on blue-winged olive and chironomid imitations. BWO Compoaraduns (size 16 to 18), Parachute Extended Body BWOs (size 18), Parachute Midges (size 18 to 20) and Griffith's Gnats (size 18) have been the most consistent producers on the surface.

Nymphs are working very well throughout the day especially on the Swan Valley reach and in the Canyon. Productive holding water include riffles, flats and seams. Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16 to 18), Booty's Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18), Lightening Bugs (size 16), Beadtail Caddis (size 16), and black, red, and olive Copper Johns (size 14 to 16) are amongst the nymphs producing best.

Streamer fishing has waned noticeably over the past week but the warm and sunny weather might be playing a big role in this. Expect streamers to start working well when more seasonably cool and wet weather moves in later this spring.

Henry's Fork

Action on the Henry's Fork is not as consistent as it was a couple of weeks ago but the reach from Warm River to Ashton and just below Vernon Bridge. Activity is almost exclusively on nymphs. Doubler nymph rigs comprised of 20-Inchers (size 8 to 10), Morrish Anato Nymphs (size 8 to 10), Pheasant Tail Nymphs (size 14 to 16), Rainbow Warriors (size 18), and Czech-Mate Nymphs (size 14 to 16) in red, cream, and olive are working in a decent fashion in riffles, seams, and submerged structure.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for March 18th, 2012 by Boots Allen

The warm weather that has settled on the Snake River region continues but with some cloudy days mixed in here and there. All of this has made for comfortable and consistent fishing on area waters. Blue-winged olives, chironomids, little black and little brown stoneflies, March browns, and even a few October Caddis and are evident everywhere. This is making for some of the best March dry fly fishing we have experienced in recent memory. The past week has been good on the water and the extended forecast for the coming week calls for much of the same. Here are how things have looked on the Snake River, South Fork, and the Henry's for over the past several days:

Snake River

Wading access is good and getting better from Wilson Bridge down to Elbow in the Snake River Canyon. Blue-winged olives, midges, little black stoneflies, and minute caddis are the prevalent aquatic insect on the water and dry fly action in the afternoon has been best in riffles, seams, and on flats with slow currents. Furimsky BDEs (size 18) in black or olive, Krystal Midges (size 18), Elk Hair Caddis (size 16 to 18) in black or brown, olive Comparaduns (size 16 to 18), Parachute Adams (size 14 to 18) and Booty's BWO Emerger (size 16) are productive on the surface during the afternoon hours from approximately 1 pm until just before dusk.

Nymphing has been consistent throughout the day with the best patterns being Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 18), Day-2 Midge Pupa (size size 18), Zebra Midges (size 18 to 20), Ice Cream Cone Midges (size 16 to 18), Batmen (size 14 to 16), 20-Inchers (size 10), and Copper Johns (size 14 to 18) in black, blue, or olive. These are working best when fished as part of a double nymph rig.

There have been instances when larger cutthroats are coming up for bigger attractors like Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10) and SRA Chernobyls (size 10 to 12) in the late morning and early afternoon hours along banks and in seams. Action is sporadic, though, and it is best to combine these patterns with a dropper nymph or a small dry fished in tandem.

South Fork

The South Fork is a great place to be at the moment. Flows from Palisades Reservoir are now up to 5,300 cfs and just about every section of river is fishing well. The weather on the lower River from Heise Bridge down to Menan is warming up to 60 degrees every day and we are seeing lots of blue-winged olives, caddis, and some March browns. On the upper river in Swan Valley, air temperatures have been in the 50s most days and midges, caddis, and blue-winged olives have been active during the afternoon. Nymphing has been consistent everywhere. Scud imitations like Vladi's Woven Scud (size 12 to 14) in gray, silver Flashback Scuds (size 12 to 16) and Galloup's Mysis (size 14 to 16) are favorites at the moment, no doubt because of the plethora of mysis shrimp coming out of the reservoir. Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Tungsten Fuegos (size 16) and Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16) are also producing.

But it is the few hours of dry fly action we are getting into each day that is making the South Fork such a good experience over the past week. Riffles on the upper reach and in the Canyon are exploding with life each day. It is possible to see a dozen or more rainbows or cutthroats coming to the surface all at once. Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18), Quigley Cripples (size 14 to 16), Booty's BWO Emerger (size 14 to 16), and Krystal Midge Emergers (size 18) have been working best in these riffles, as well as in seam and in the re-circulating eddies that are starting to re-establish themselves with the increasing flows.

Streamers are also working well on the lower river when fished along deeper banks, structure, and through seams with moderate currents. Go with Stacked Blondes, Bow River Buggers in rust, olive, gray or black, and Silvey's Sculpins in gray, black, and olive.

Henry's Fork

There is decent fishing from Vernon Bridge down to Chester, but the action has slowed some in the past few days. But it is still giving some good fishing with nymphs such as Hickey's Auto Nymphs (size 16 to 18), Ice Cream Cone Midges (size 16 to 18), Rainbow Warriors (size 18), and Bead Body Scuds (size 16 to 18) in olive or amber. These are producing in riffles and along shallow banks and banks with moderate depths.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for March 11, 2012 by Boots Allen

Unseasonably warm and sunny weather has invaded the Snake River area and the result has been some of the best early spring fishing we have experienced since 2007. Much of this is due to the higher than normal flows on the South Fork of the Snake River and the Snake River in Wyoming, but the weather has certainly helped over the past week. Here is what we are experiencing on our local streams -

Snake River

Early morning has been defined by strong hatches of midges and good nymphing activity with midge pupa imitation in riffles and shallow seams and eddies. The best action has been on Day-2 Midge Pupa (size 18), Ice Cream Cone Midge Larva (size 18 to 20), Rojo Midge Pupa (size 18) and Zebra Midges (size 16 to 20).

Air temperatures have been in the high forties by early afternoon and this is bring water temperatures into the low 40s. These warm temperatures are sparking moderately strong hatches of blue-winged olives and little brown stoneflies. While going subsurface with nymphs is still producing, the action on the surface has been strong enough that one can fish all afternoon with dry flies and expect consistent productivity. Olive Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18), olive Parachute Extended Bodies (size 16), Booty's BWO Emergers (size 16), and BWO Comparaduns (size 16 to 18) are working well in riffles and flats. Moderately sized attractors - particularly Tara Xs (size 10 to 12), Wills' Winged Chernobyl (size 10 to 12) in red and gold, and Snake River Water Walkers (size 10 to 12) in salmon, gold, olive, and brown - are bring up cutthroats along shallow banks, confluences points, and at the tails of riffles and seams.

The best fishing on the Snake has without a doubt been on the middle and lower reaches running from Wilson Bridge down to Astoria.

South Fork

Flows on the South Fork have been steadily on the increase since the beginning of the month. We are now at 4600 cfs. This is a terrific early spring level for this river. Warm temperatures in Swan Valley and the lower reaches of the South Fork around Byington and Lorenzo have made March fishing on this South Fork some of the best in the Rocky Mountain region. Air temperatures have been in the mid to high 50s on some days. Blue-winged olives and little brown stoneflies are the most prevalent hatches, but we are also seeing micro-caddis and some Rhithrogenia duns and October caddis at certain times during the day.

Nymphing has been productive on all sections of the South Fork with Hickey's Auto Emerger (size 16 to 18), Lightening Bugs (size 14 to 18), Dorsey's Mercury Caddis (size 16), Sanchez's Biot Bug (size 14), Robins (size 14) and Copper Johns (size 14 to 16) in olive, black, and red being the most successful. These patterns are fishing well in riffles, moderate to deep seams, and re-circulating eddies. They are working particularly well when fished as a double rig with Pat's Rubber Leg (size 8 to 10), RP Muskrats (size 8), and 20-Inchers (size 8 to 10).

Surface action has also been good with BWO and small caddis imitations in riffles and seams. Quigley Cripples (size 14 to 16), Booty's BWO Emerger (size 16), Furimsky BDEs (size 14 to 18) in black or olive, Lawson's Diving Caddis (size 16), and CDC Caddis (size 16 to 18) have been solid producers are are bringing up some really nice cutthroats and brown trout in the 18 to 19 inch range.

Streamers are also working well throughout the day. Bright baitfish imitations like J.J. Specials (size 8), Zoo Cougars (size 4 to 6), Clouser Minnows (size 4) in brown-over-yellow, and yellow Sex Dungeons have been productive along banks and structure and in deep riffles and seams. We have been fishing these on intermediate and Type III tips with standard or variable retrieves and slow to moderate stripping speeds.

It is hard to pick a portion of the South Fork that is fishing best. We have been concentrating on the upper reach in Swan Valley and the lower reach from Kelly Island down to Lorenzo. However, there are solid reports coming in from the Canyon reach as well. No matter where you go on the South Fork, it is bound to be good.
Henry's Fork
The Henry's Fork has been a great winter fishery since regulations changed several years ago, and this season has not disappointed. Fishing on the Henry's Fork is open from Vernon Bridge downstream to the confluence with the South Fork and on the Box Canyon reach below Island Park Reservoir. The warm, sunny weather over the past week has made the Henry's Fork a joy to fish. Nymphing has been excellent with good action on Hickey's Auto Emerger (size 16 to 18), chartreuse Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), Super Men (size 16), and Rainbow Warriors (size 18). These patterns are hammering rainbows when fished along structure in the Box Canyon section and through long riffles and along banks below Vernon Bridge.

Surface action has also been good on the warmer days, even when the sun is at its brightest. This is particularly the case from Vernon Bridge down to Chester and from Chester down to St. Anthony. Look for rising rainbows in riffles and on the downstream portion of structure. Imitations of blue-winged olives and micro caddis are your best bet. BWO Comparaduns (size 16 to 18), olive Sparkle Comparaduns (size 16 to 18), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 18), and Booty's BWO emerger are the most productive patterns currently. Keep in mind that midges will be active throughout the day. Larva, pupa, and adult Chironomid imitations can be fished throughout the day with consistent action.

Snake River Fly Fishing Report for February 22nd, 2012 by Boots Allen

Our drier than normal weather this winter is beginning to turn a little wetter this week. Area anglers have benefitted from warm air temperatures by focussing their attention on the lower South Fork and Henry's Fork where it has been a balmy 40 degrees during the afternoon over the past two weeks. Most of the action has been on midges and blue-winged olive imitations, but caddis larva imitations have also been performing well below ther surface. Productive patterns have been Day-2 Midge Pupas (size 18 to 20), Stauffer Midge Nymphs (size 18 to 12), LOF Pheasant Tails (size 16 to 18), Glasstail Caddis Pupa (size 14 to 16), and RWs Chamois Caddis (size 12 to 14). Flats, shallow riffles, and shallow seams.

The forecast for wetter weather over the next 10 days also calls for a couple of days with temperatures on the lower South Fork and Henry's Fork reaching the high 40s. This could mean increased surface action on blue-winged olives and little black or little brown stoneflies, known collectively as the winter stones. Action on blue-winged olives will be good in riffles and seams. Look for action on the winter stones to be primarily subsurface in flats and shallow riffles. Prince Nymphs and Brackett's LBS should be the best patterns to match the winter stones.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for January 28th, 2012 by Boots Allen

January started off with a solid two weeks of warm and mostly sunny weather. Fly fishers in the area were able to take advantage of this preferable climate and hit the lower South Fork of the Snake River where air temperatures approached 50 degrees on some days. Action on the surface was the best many could ever remember for a January. Hatches of midges, blue-winged olives, and micro caddis were evident for hours on some days. With the boat launches at most of the access sites free of snow, float fishing was as easy as it is during most of the season.

The killer patterns of early January were the Ice Cream Cone Midge, Z-Wing Caddis, Lightening Bugs, and Minimal Mayflies (in olive).

But, alas, snow and cold has finally moved into the area. We have gone from 63% of average snowpack to 92%. While this has made the fishing a bit more uncomfortable for the time being, we can take joy in the fact there is potentially more water for area trout this coming season. That would make five surplus water years over the past six years.

With February approaching, keep in mind that temperatures in the lower elevation (below 5,500 feet) warm significantly during this month. Ririe and Rigby, Idaho, for example have average daily high temperatures that approach 40 degrees. If we have a warm spell in the area like we did in early January, don't be surprised if air temperatures go to well over 50 degrees on the lower South Fork. It has happen before. It could happen again this year.

February is a good month for the standard winter hatches of midges and, when the weather is right, blue-winged olives. But it is also the month that we begin to see little black and little brown stoneflies. These bugs will crawl in mass to the river bank to emerge from their shuck. On the Snake and the South Fork, these stoneflies bring flats and shallow bankside riffles to life with feeding trout. Be ready to fish with Brackett's LBS Nymph and Furimsky's BDE when you see the little winter stoneflies on the banks or the stream surface.