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.
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