Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for October 17th, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

With the possible exception for a two to three week period in late August and early September, the anglers on the Snake River are experiencing the best dry fly fishing of the season. Cool weather and precipitation has resulted in a lot more PMDs, blue-winged olives, Mahogany duns, micro caddis, October caddis, and tricos emerging throughout the day. Add to this the fact that flows are now down to winter levels, and what we are left with is a stream in prime fishing condition. The middle sections running from Moose to South Park are fishing very well, as is the Canyon reach from Astoria down to Sheep Gulch. In the morning, from approximately sunrise to 12 pm, nymph rigs are producing best, with Lightening Bugs (Size 12 to 16), Day -2 Midges (size 14 to 18), black Copper Johns (size 14 to 18), Zug Bugs (size 12 to 14), and RW's Chamois Caddis (size 10 to 12) taking the lion’s share of trout during this time period.

In the afternoon, the trout really begin to look as hatches intensify. Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12 to 14), Booty's Snake Drake (size 12), PMD Sparkle Comparaduns in pink and cream (size 12-14), Parachute Extended Body PMDs (size 12 to 14), Parachute Extended Body BWOs (size 16), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Hares Ear Emergers (size 16), Copper Hazes and Purple Hazes (size 12 to 14) and Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 16) in black, olive, and gray are producing in riffles, the tails of shallow seams, and along shallow banks and structure. Fishing these flies as part of a tandem rig separated by 18 to 24 inches of tippet is a fine tactic at the moment.

South Fork

Like the Snake, the South Fork is fishing the best it has since the end of August and the first week or so of September. Flows from Palisades Reservoir are currently at approximately 4500 cfs, still higher than normal but still at a very good level for this time of year. PMDS and BWOs are the most evident insects on the water with mahogany duns and October caddis also making appearances when the weather is cloudy with some precipitation. Both the upper Canyon and the Swan Valley reaches are fishing well on nymphs in the morning - from sunrise to noon - with Pat's Rubber Legs (size 8 to 10), Lightening Bugs (size 12), Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14) and Zug Bugs (size 12 to 14). These flies are working best when presented two to four feet from banks, one to two feet from steeper banks. Riffles are also active with these patterns. Flats can also produce in an intermittent fashion.

In the afternoon, surface action picks up in riffles, recirculating eddies, and along banks with mayfly imitations like Purple Hazes (size 14 to 18), orange or yellow Stimulators (size 10), Quigley Cripples (size 12), Pink Sulfur Emergers (size 16 to 18), and Parkin's PM Muskrats (size 16 to 18). Tandem dry rigs are a big help in terms of effectiveness with these flies.

Salt River

The Salt is currently flowing at 800 cfs at McCoy Creek and is fishing really well as tricos, BWOs and PMDs get active on the surface throughout the day. Black or olive Air-Flo tricos (size 16 to 20), black or olive Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 20), Purple Hazes (size 18) Booty's Mahogany Emergers (size 14 to 18) and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18) fish well from early morning to early evening along banks, in flats, and in eddies. Another option is to fish a small attractor like a Stimulator (size 10 to 12) or a SRA Chernobyl (size 10 to 12) in red, pink, or pearl in tandem with the smaller patterns mentioned above or with a dropper like a Lightening Bug (size 16 to 18), Bubbleback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 18), and black or olive Copper Johns (size 16 to 18) dropped 12 to 14 inches from the surface fly.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for October 2nd, 2011 by Boots Allen

Jackson Lake Dam Flow Schedule Update: Bureau of Reclamation will begin to decrease flows from Jackson Lake Dam starting the evening of Sunday, October 2^nd. Flows will be reduced from 2,800 cfs to winter flows of 650 cfs by October 7^th.

Snake River

The Snake is fishing very well as daytime temperatures cool while the weather remains mostly sunny and comfortable. We are beginning to see more of our important autumn hatches like hecubas and mahogany duns. PMDS and caddis remain active as well. Above Pacific Creek, there have been heavy hatches of olive and black tricos. Mornings are fishing well along banks and in deep riffle pools with dropper rigs consisting of gold Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), yellow Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), yellow or olive Stimulators (size 8 to 10), and yellow, olive, or royal PMXs (size 8 to 10). Dropper nymphs such as Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Zug Bugs (size 10 to 14), or olive Soft Hackles (size 12 to 14) are working best when dropped between 20 inches and 30 inches below the surface fly.

Mid and late day fishing picks up on the surface with the best action being in riffles, deep seams, and slow confluence points. A variety of large attractors like those mentioned above are successful, but so too are smaller, more imitative flies like Quigley Cripples (size 10 to 12), Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12), Parachute Hares Ears (size 12 to 14), and gray Parawulffs (size 12 to 16). Fish these solo or as part of a tandem rig with a large attractor.

South Fork

Releases from Palisades Reservoir beginning to ramp down to their late autumn flows, going from 9,000 cfs last week to 7,000 cfs as of today. Inconsistent but good fishing can be found at the moment. There are still lots of PMDs as well as a few caddis, but we are now starting to see some mahogany duns and October caddis. Surface action has been best on large attractors like Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), purple Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), orange Stimulators (size 8 to 10) and Orange Crushes (size 6 to 8) fished tight to banks and structure. Riffles have been fickle at best, but at times some large cutthroats have been coming up to Quigley Cripples (size 12) and Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12).

The best fishing has unquestionably been on nymphs either fished as droppers or as double nymph rigs. The most productive patterns have been Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Zug Bugs (size 12 to 14), Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 10 to 14), Sanchez Sparkle Stones (size 8) and Pat's Rubber Leg (size 8 to 10) in a variety of colors. There is acceptable activity on these nymphs in riffles, seams, and eddies, but the best action has been along banks and in flats. No double this is due to the fact that aquatic insects have been retreating from shallow water as flows have been dropping, which makes them accessible and vulnerable to feeding trout.

Salt River

The Salt River is flowing at about 770 cfs at McCoy Creek. This is about 15% above normal for this time of year. There is decent fishing on all reaches with best arguably being found in the vicinity of the Narrows and on the lower river from Freedom to McCoy Creek. Mid-sized attractors like Circus Peanuts (size 10), Pearl Bellies (size 10) and SRA Chernobyls (size10 to 12) are fishing well along the plethora of undercut banks and banks with heavy vegetation, but when fished with a dropper (Hares Ear Nymphs, olive or black Copper Johns, and Prince Nymphs), the dropper is being taken far more consistently. The best surface action have been on trico and PMD imitations like Air-Flo Tricos (size 16 to 18), olive or black Furimsky BDEs (size 16), PMD Sparkle Comparaduns (size 16), and Pheasant Tail emergers (size 16 to 18). These flies have been producing along the length of riffles, at the edge of flats, and along shallow banks.

Snake River Angler Fly Fhsing Report for September 22nd, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

Autumn is the best time of the year to fish the Snake River and this season is not disappointing area anglers. Cooler weather and intermittent thunderstorms have helped to spark important fall hatches. PMDs remain the most prominent aquatic insect on the water, but we are now seeing more caddis, hecubas, and some mahogany duns. Grasshoppers and damsel flies are also making appearances. As has been the case over the past few weeks, large attractors have been working well in the morning. Some of the most productive include Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Circus Peanuts (size 6 to 10), pearl belly SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), and Snake River Water Walkers (size 6 to 10) in salmon, dirty gold, and purple. In the canyon reach of the river from South Park to Sheep Gulch, we have been fishing these with droppers extending 18” to 30” from the surface fly. This rigging is working well in riffles and along banks and deeply submerged structure. The best droppers have been Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Batmen (size 12 to 14), and Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 10 to 14), and Zug Bugs (size 12 to 16).

In the afternoon, surface activity picks up significantly with cutthroat trout feeding in riffles, eddies, and along seam lines and banks. Tandem riggings consisting of a size 10 lead attractor followed by a smaller mayfly or caddis imitation in size 12 to 16 are producing best. Another productive tactic along flats and side channels is to fish a tandem rigging consisting of a small mayfly or caddis imitation fished as a lead fly with a smaller emerger fished as the trailer. Purple Hazes (size 10 to 14), Parachute Adams (size 10 to 16), Parachute Hares Ears (size 10 to 16), PMD Sparkle Comparaduns (size 12 to 16), Parachute CDC PMDs (size 12 to 16), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Cole's Split-Wing Cripples (size 12 to 16), Sanchez Double Vision PMDs (size 12 to 14), Booty's Mahogany Emerger (size 12), and Booty's Drake Emerger (size 10 to 12) have all been solid producers.

South Fork

Flows continue to be stable at 9,000 cfs. Fishing on the South Fork is still good but the typical mid-September inconsistency is starting to creep in on this river, something many of us thought would not occur with the late and extended runoff that we experienced earlier this year. Nonetheless, trout are being taken on every stretch of river, with the canyon reach being the most consistent. When cloudy and wet weather creeps in, the fishing improves noticeably. Lots of inermis and infrequen PMDs will be about. Intermittent hatches of caddis are also evident. Large attractors fished with deep droppers have been successful along banks, flats, and in deep eddies. Lightening Bugs (size 10 to 14) and CDC Bubbleback Pheasant Tails have been producing in this regard. The best attractors have been Kasey's Creature, Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in gold, red, or purple, and PMXs (size 8 to 10) in red or olive.

Small mayflies are producing throughout the day along slow banks and flats. Riffle action with these flies has been spotty at best, but they do come alive on the cooler and cloudier days. Parachute Adams (size 14 to 16), Booty’s Drake Emerger (size 12), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Pink Sulfer Emergers (size 14 to 16), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16 to 18), and Cole's Split Winger Cripple (size 12 to 14) all fishing well, especially canyon reach and late in the day from Palisades Dam down to Irwin.

Salt River

Like other streams in the region, the Salt is fishing best on days with cloudy weather and/or a little bit of precipitation. PMDs and caddis can been found on the water throughout most parts of the day. There are still intermittent emergences of trico, especially on thoe lower reach of the river from Etna down to McCoy Creek. Large attractors like Circus Peanuts (size 10), SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 12) in red or yellow, and Chubby Chernobyls (size 10) in purple and red are fishing well, but it is smaller, imitative patterns of dry flies that are producing best. Air-Flo Tricos (size 18 to 20), Furimsky BDEs (size 14 to 18) in olive, gray, and black, PMD Sparkle Comparaduns (size 14 to 16), Sanchez's Everything Emerger (size 14 to 16), and Harrop's CDC PMD (size 14 to 18) are producing along cutbanks and at the tails of riffles.

Snake River Angler Fly Fishing Report for September 13, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

The Snake River continues to fish very well on the surface with large attractors like Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Tara X's (size 8 to 10), Circus Peanuts (size 8 to 10), Kasey's Creature (size 8), and Wills Red Ant (size 8 to 12) drifted or twitched along banks, structure and through fast riffles and riffle pools. Although the prominent hatch so far this September has been PMDs, we are starting to see a few hecubas about. Because of this, we are starting to see more and more cutthroat come to the surface for smaller mayfly duns and emergers. Patterns like Quigley Cripples (size 12), PMD Comparaduns (size 12 to 14), Thorax PMDs (size 12 to 16), Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12), Parachute Adams (size 12 to 16), Purple Hazes (size 12 to 16), and Parachute Hares Ears (size 10 to 12) have been successful when fished in riffles and in slow moving currents along structure and banks in side channels.

Streamers are still fishing well on either a floating line or with an intermediate or TYPE III sink tip. They have been very productive in the morning along banks in currents with fast or moderate speed. In the afternoon, however, look for deep riffles with fast currents to come alive. These are best fished with a floating line and a lightly weighted streamer like a Quad Bunny, Zoo Cougar, Angel Eye Sculpin, or Kiwi Muddler, all in light shades of rust, white or tan. They fly will only be a couple of inches below the surface, but it is a lot of fun watching big cutthroat hit streamers just a little under the surface film.

South Fork

With each passing day, the South Fork is fishing better on the surface with a variety of dry patterns. Flows are at 9,000 cfs from Palisades Reservoir, which is almost ideal for dry fly fishing.

The upper South Fork in Swan Valley is fishing best with large attractors along banks and in riffle pools. Kasey's Creature (size 8), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Bean’s Orange Crush (size 8), Barrett's Stone (size 8 to 10), and Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in red, gold, or purple have been the best performing flies.

The same big attractors that are working on the upper South Fork are working downstream in the Canyon reach. But the Canyon is also fishing solid with mayfly and caddis patterns. Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Halo Emergers (size 12 to 14), Purple Hazes (size 10 to 14), Klinkhammers (size 10 to 12), and Harrop's CDC PMD (size 14 to 16) are producing on riffles and in riffle pools and in eddies and seams. These same flies have also been successful when fished on flats and on banks with moderate current speeds.

Salt River

This is a fun time of year to be on the Salt River. Lots of cutthroats and browns are rising to a variety of patterns including moderately sized attractors, caddis patterns, and mayfly imitations. Dry fly fishing has been best from approximately 11am until evening, but when there is decent cloud cover, the surface action really begins to pick up on tricos and infrequen PMDs. When this occurs, think seriously about going to more imitative patterns like Parachute Extended Body PMDs (size 14 to 16), black Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 18), black or olive Air-Flo Tricos (size 18), and PMD Comparaduns (size 14 to 16). You can pick up a fair amount of trout no matter what you are using, but there will be better size and numbers with imitative trico and small PMD patterns.

Fly Fishing Report for September 1st, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

PMDs and caddis are moderately active on the surface. There is also a very noticeable activity with craneflies all along the river and its tributaries. In addition, we are now seeing some of our autumn hatches, including Claassenia stoneflies and hecubas, although only in minimal numbers.

The Snake is still offering some of the best dry fly fishing in the region. Small to moderstely sized cutthroats are being taken in riffles and seam. Parachute Adams (size 12 to 16), Purple Hazes (size 12 to 14), Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), X-caddis (size 12 to 16) in black and olive Thorax PMDs (size 12 to 16), Snowshoe Hare PMDs (size 14 to 16), PMD Comparaduns (size 12 to 14), and Harrop CDC PMDs (size 14 to 16) have been productive in these waters and along flats and confluence points.

Bigger fish have not been as active as they were a week and a half ago, and the warm weather may have a lot to do with this. However, recently we have experienced overnight temperatures dipping down into the 30s for an extended period of time, and this, along with the slightly wetter weather we have coming, should improve things significantly. In the meantime, it is possible to get into larger, and significantly larger, cutthroat by fishing hard along banks, structure, and in deep riffle pools with large attractors that imitate grasshoppers and short-wing stoneflies. Rubber Leggeed Double Humpies (size 8) in red or yellow, Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), Circus Peanuts (size 8 to 10), Kaseys Creature (size 8), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), gold, red, or purple Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), SRA Water Walkers (size 8 to 10), and a variety of Wills Winged Chernobyls are working in this regard, especially when skittered on the surface or fished in tandem with a trailing cripple or emerger that is fished just below the surface.

South Fork

Fishing continues to pick up on the South Fork where flows from Palisades Reservoir are stable at 9,000 cfs. Fishing has been best in the lower Canyon from Cottonwood Flats down to Byington and on the upper reach in Swan Valley. PMDs and caddis have been the most active aquatic insects, but we are also starting to our mutant stoneflies and more terrestrials like carpenter ants and grasshoppers.

Large attractor trailing deep droppers (around 24 to 30 inches) are working well throughout the day along banks and in deep riffles, seams, and recirculating eddies. SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) and Parachute Hoppers trailing Fuegos (size 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14), LOF Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 16) and Copper Johns (size 12 to 16) have been the most successful in this regard. The vast majority of the action has been on the dropper nymphs, but it is still possible to pick up big browns and cutthroat on the surface flies, especially along banks and in the head of seams.

Towards afternoon, trout is riffles, seams, and eddies become active on the surface. This is an ideal time and situation to make a switch to imitative PMD and small terrestrials like tan, black, or purple Sparkle Ants (size 10 to 12), Bi-Viz PMDs (size 12 to 16), CDC Bubbleback PMDs (size 14 to 16), and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 16).

Green River

Flows at Warren Bridge are currently at around 425 cfs. This is usually an ideal water level to fish the Green, but there has been showing definite signs of slower fishing throughout the day as water temperatures continue to warm into the low 60s by early afternoon. The best fishing is being found in the early morning hours from approximately 6:30 am until about 10 am. The exception to this has been those days with substantial cloud cover that can produce some precipitation. When this occurs, dry fly fishing can be very productive with Tara Xs (size 10), Wills Winged Chernobyl (size 8 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), Jimmy Zs (size 10 to 12) and Turcks Tarantula (size 8 to 10). In riffles and in slow currents along structure, Parachute Hares Ears (size 14), Hair Beetles (size 10 to 12), Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 14), and Quigley Cripples (size 10 to 14) can also be very effective.

But even when fishing is slow, a good bet is to fish a nymph as a dropper with a large attractor. Biot Bugs (size 12), 20-inchers (size 16 to 18), Rainbow Warriors (size 16 to 18), and Zug Bugs (size 14 to 16) have been working when nothing else is happening.

Flat Creek

Its the typical Flat Creek that we are so familiar with at this time of year. Fishing is best in the early morning hours from sunrise to about 9 am, and then again from about 7 pm until dark. PMDs, caddis, tricos, and grasshoppers are the most active trout foods on Flat Creek during these hours and throughout most of the day. Expect mahogany duns and baetis to make an appearance soon as fall temperatures begin to drop. Rusty Spinners (size 14 to 18), gold Sulfur Emergers (size 16 to 18), PMD Parachute Extended Bodies (size 14 to 16), and PMD Thorax Duns (size 14 to 18) are the go-to patterns currently.

Snake River Fly Fishing Report for August 21st, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

No river in the region is fishing better with dry flies than the Snake. All sections of water are producing with single and tandem dry fly rigs in riffles, eddies, banks, structure, seams, and confluence points. Literally every type of holding water is giving solid results on the surface at different parts of the day. Kasey's Creature (size 8 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8), Circus Peanuts (size 8 to 10), red or yellow Double Humpies (size 8), and red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8) have been the most successful large attractors on banks, structure, and in eddies and eddy seams. More imitative patterns like Purple Hazes (size 12), Copper Hazes (size 12), olive X-Caddis (size 12 to 14), and Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12) are producing in riffles and eddies. These are imitating the moderate hatches of caddis and infrequen PMDs occurring throughout the watershed. Start with these patterns early in the day and they should fish solid throughout the day. Do not forget to probe the side channels running from the Pacific Creek Confluence down to South Park Bridge. These are low enough to fish now and should fish really well until they begin to see too many artificial flies in a few weeks. The smaller emergent patterns are working best in these more intimate waters.

South Fork

Releases from Palisades Reservoir are currently at 9,000 cfs. Flows are ideal and fishing is really good. But the best news of all is that dry fly fishing has picked up in a serious fashion. It is possible to fish all day on the surface with big dries, small dries, tandem dry rigs, or a dry-dropper rig. Mornings have been solid with dry droppers fished close to banks, structure, and along flats. Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in red or gold, Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8 to 10), and Will's Claassenia Stone (size 8) are producing best when combined with Brassie Spinners (size 12 to 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), Bubble Back Pheasant Tails (size 12 to 16), and Red-Headed Step-Childs (size 14). In early afternoon and into late afternoon as PMDs and remnant yellow sallies become active. Pink Sparkle Duns (size 12 to 16), Challenged Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16), and Pink Sulfur Emergers (size 16 to 18) are bringing up large cutthroats and browns in riffles and at the head of seams. As water temperatures warm in late afternoon and into early evening, dry fly action slows noticeably but can still be had with large attractors like those mentioned above, but also with terrestrial imitations like copper or purple Parachute Sparkle Ants (size 10 to 12) and Mega Beetles (size 12). These patterns are working best almost exclusively along banks and on structure.

Green River

Flows at Warren Bridge are at 600 cfs. Consistent action on the Green is still occurring during a tight, two to three hour period from mid-morning to early evening. Much of this is occurring on the surface with Quigley Cripples (size 10 to 14), Parachute Hare’s Ears (size 16), and Copper Hazes (size 12 to 14) in riffles and re-circulating eddies. Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 8) and Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8) are bringing up large brown trout along banks from Warren Bridge down to Swain’s Bridge. Nymphs have been producing throughout the day, although you have to work hard in the afternoon hours to get results. Olive and red Copper Johns (size 12), and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14) have been successful as part of dry-dropper rigs along banks and in seams.

Fly Fishing Report for August 10th, 2011 by Boots Allen

Snake River

Flows are dropping on a daily basis and it is safe to say now that the entire Snake River is fishing and fishing well with dry flies. Expect the river to only get better over the coming weeks. Light to moderate hatches of yellow sallies (especially in the afternoon), caddis and PMDs can be fished throughout the drainage. A tandem dry fly rig is perhaps the best option going. Will's Winged Chernobyl (size 6 to 10), Melon Bellies (size 8), Circus Peanuts (size 6 to 10),Chubby Chernobyls in red, purple or gold (size 8 to 10), red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), Barrett's Stonefly (size 8 to 10) and PMXs in red or olive (size 8) are taking small to moderately sized cutthroats. Small dries trailing these large attractors are generally taking bigger cutthroats and brown trout. Amongst the most effective have been Parachute Adams (size 10 to 14), Purple Hazes (size 10 to 12), yellow Humpies (size 10 to 12), and Quigley Cripples (size 10). Banks, seams, and structure are producing solidly throughout most of the day. If one is fishing in or at the mouths of the numerous spring creeks, go with smaller, more imitative emergers like Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 14 to 16) and Jay's Humpback Emerger (size 14 to 16).

During slower parts of the day, a double nymph rig or dry-dropper can bring up fish that the dry flies mentioned above can't. Red or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 14), and cream or olive Soft Hackles (size 12 to 14) are working very well in deep seams and riffles.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades Reservoir are currently at 9000 cfs, an almost ideal level for this time of year. The South Fork is one of the best places in the region to fish at the moment, although nymphing with double and triple nymph rigs remains the most productive game in town, while dry fly fishing is occurring in fits and starts along some stretches of the river. Nymph rigs consisting on two Pat's Rubber Legs as wells (one size 8 to 6 and the other size 10) with a trailing San Juan Worm is working well along banks and flats and is producing in riffles and seams. Rigs with a Pat's Rubber Leg trailing a Brassie Spinner (size 14 to 16), red or olive Copper John (size 12 to 16), or a Rainbow Warrior (size 16 to 18) are working VERY well in riffles and seams.

The little dry fly action that is occurring is almost exclusively with large attractors - Chubby Chernobyls (size 8), red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), and orange or yellow Stimulator Xs (size 6 to 8) - trailing small mayfly nymphs. There is intermittent action on yellow sally dry fly imitations and PMD patterns in shallow riffles and flat. Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14), Stack Wing Sallies (size 10) and Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 14 to 16) have been working best in this regard.

Flat Creek
Yes, most of the Snake River area streams are beginning to fish well, but Flat Creek, Blacktail Ponds, and Cottonwood Creek opened on August 1st and allow anglers a chance to fish to spooky, selectively feeding trout. Micro caddis (glossosoma), PMDs (infrequens), gray drakes, as well as grasshoppers and beetles are the most prevalent bugs on the water over the next several weeks. Some of the best patterns thus far have been Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12), gray Comparaduns (size 14 to 16), Pheasant Tail Emergers (size 14 to 16), and Halo Emergers (size 14 to 18). Below the surface, the best producing flies have been Sulfur Emergers (s9ze 16 to 18), Pheasant Tails (size 16), and black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18). 5X leader is still doing the trick, but think about 6X in the next few weeks as a better option. Early morning (sunrise to 9am) and evening (6pm to sundown) are the best times to be on Flat Creek and Blacktail Ponds, but cloudy and wet weather could push that time period deeper into the morning and earlier into the afternoon.

Salt River

The Salt River (currently at 1100 cfs) is now in prime fishing condition and should remain so over the next couple of months. Double nymph rigs consisting of Prince Nymphs (size 10 to 16), black, red, olive, an rust Copper Johns (size 12 to 16), Hares Ear Nymphs (size 12 to 18), and Biot Bugs (size 12 to 14) are doing well in seams and confluence lines. Still, one of the beautiful aspects of the Salt River is the excellent dry fly fishing that can be found under certain conditions. Purple Hazes (size 16 to 18), Parachute Adams (size 18), Quigley Cripples (size 14 to 18), and Krystal Midge Emergers (size 18) are working well along slow, undercut banks and long riffles. Hatches are not overly present, but the dry fly fishing is still pretty damn good.

Green River

With flows at 800 cfs at Warren Bridge, the Green is starting to fish exceptionally well. Clarity is near 100% and there are broad hatches of yellow sallies, PMDs (inermis), caddis, gray drakes, and small golden stones (Acroneuria). Fishing tandem dry fly rigs along banks, seams, and submerged structure is producing solid results from approximately 8am until 1pm. Red Rubber Legged Double Humpies (size 8), Tara Xs (size 8), Will's Winged Chernobyl (size 10 to 8), and SRA Chernobyls (size 10 to 8) trailing Purple Hazes (size 12 to 14) Parachute Adams (size 12), Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 14), Booty's Drake Emerger (size 12 to 10) and Quigley Cripple (size 10 to 14) have been the most effective patterns.

Afternoon is leading to tougher fishing as water temperatures rise and Green River trout begin to feel the pressure of what has been more boats than usual each day, but trout can still be taken on large attractors like those mentioned above with a dropper nymph between 12 and 24 inches trailing behind or in front of the surface pattern. Black or copper Flashback Brassies (size 12 to 16) Copper Johns in red, black, and olive (size 12), Bloody Marys (size 10 to 12). These are producing along banks and seams.