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.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
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.
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.
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