Winter Fishing on the Snake River - December 16th, 2010

South Fork

Winter is here but some of our area streams are still fishing well. The South Fork is offering some of the best water in the region. There is a lot of midge activity in the latter half of the day, and this is producing dry fly action in flats off of banks and in low gradient riffles. Kyrstal Midge Emergers (Size 18) and black Furimsky BDEs (Size 18 to 20) have been solid surface patterns, bringing up good sized cutthroats and browns. Nonetheless, it is midge and BWO nymph imitations, as well as mysis imitations, that are fishing the best, and doing so in the same water types that dry flies are producing. Day-2 Midges (Size 18), Ice Cream Cone Midge Nymphs (Size 16 to 20), RS-2 Nymphs (size 18 to 20), black Copper Johns (Size 16 to 18), cream CDC Bubbleback Nymphs (Size 16 to 18), Rainbow Warriors (Size 18), Lightening Bugs (Size 14 to 18) and Galloups Mysis (size 14 to 16) have been the most successful nymphs over the past couple of weeks.

One of the keys to decent activity at this time of year is to be focusing your attention at those times of the day when temperatures are climbing into the upper 30s. This can be key to getting fish to come NEAR the surface (not necessarily TO it). Yes, you can get activity at just over the freezing mark (34 degrees generally). But when you it 38 to 39 degree mark, you may notice a clear difference in action. This is especially the case when the water temps close in on 38 to 39 degrees.

If you are looking for something a little less aggravating than fishing small dries and nymphs on cold days, than try throwing a streamer on a floating or intermediate line. Brown trout on some of the reds are beginning to come out of the spawn and are pretty darn hungry. Smaller baitfish imitations like Clouser Minnows, Morrish Marabou Sculpins, and J.J. Specials (sizes 8 to 10) are the streamers we like to fish on the South Fork at this time of years as the browns begin to snap out of their spawning funk.

Fly Fishing Report for November 30th, 2010

Temperatures have dropped and the snow is flying! Fishing can still be had in the area on nymphs when water and air temps climb into the mid to high 30s. The Snake and the South Fork should be the streams you concentrate on. Yes, most of the fish you will hook into are whitefish (which can be fun, you got to admit) but trout can get into the mix if you hit the right holding water with the right flies and in the right water conditions. Low stream flows this time of year, along with cold water temps, cause trout to pod up heavily in tight pieces of holding water. You will find them primarily in riffles, on flats, and in eddies that have some degree of recirculation. If you spot 'em, cast to them. Midges are the only flies that hatch with frequency this time of year, so think of using double rigs consisting of black Ice Cream Cone Midge Nymphs (size 16 to 18), black brassies (size 16 to 20), black or olive Copper Johns (size 16 to 18) and olive or gray Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20). Little black and little brown stone nymphs will be getting active over the next couple of months. You can star targeting trout with solid Capnia imitations like the LBS (size 14 to 16) and Beadhead Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16). There can a fair amount of action on mysis shrimp imitations on the South Fork (white or gray scuds, Ices Mysis, Boyles Shrimp, Lightening Bugs, and Rainbow Warriors, all in sizes 12 to 16), but for the most part it is midge larva and pupa that will work best.

If temperatures do warm up considerably (high 30s and into the 40s), you can get some activity on streamers. Articulated baitfish patterns like Silveys Sculpin Leech in gray, black or olive, or a Sex Dungeon in olive or natural are large enough, and have enough innate materials action, to aggravate even the most lethargic of trout. Strip these on a floating or intermediate line through podding fish and see what happens.

Other Waters

We don't mean to be too broad here, but there are a lot of waters that are in their prime at this time of year. Many of our guides and shop staff have returned from their annual autumn steelhead trips or guiding gigs, but some are staying out there to hit water that is still very much productive. Idaho's Clearwater and Salmon rivers still have a lot of action. In Oregon, December through January are can be good on the lower Rogue and the Umpqua rivers.

And of course, everyone will soon have saltwater on their mind. In December, the two destinations that come to mind are Baja for Roosterfish, snook, and dorado, and the Bahamas for bonefish. You also have warmwater destinations like the Amazon for Peacock Bass and Rio de la Plata for golden dorado. If you are in the Jackson Hole area, drop into Snake River Angler to get more info on these fishing possibilities and the gear you will need. And feel free to call us anytime for information and insight.

Fishing Report for November 11th, 2010

Tis' the season that steelhead fishing is on our minds and many of us have headed for the streams of British Columbia, Idaho, and the Pacific Northwest to get our fix. We have good reports coming back from the Clearwater, the Grande Ronde, and the Deschutes.

But keep in mind that, although winter is fast approaching and air and water temps are pretty low, we still have some very good fishing happening in our area. The Snake, the South Fork, and the Salt all have decent dry fly action at certain parts of the afternoon with imitations of blue-winged olives, micro caddis, October caddis, and mahogany duns. Furmimsky BDEs (size 16), Parachute Adams (size 14 to 16), Copper Hazes (size 14 to 16), Purple Hazes (size 14 to 16), Elk Hair Caddis (size 16 to 18), X-Caddis (size 16), and orange Stimulators (size 12) have been doing the trick when the surface action starts to happen. And as usual, the more overcast it is, the better it can be.

Nymphing continues to be solid throughout the day, but especially from 12 pm until dusk. trout are podding up in structure pools, eddies and riffles, and all it takes is a double nymph rig drifted through a couple of times to get a take. Later in the day, nymphs dropped 16 to 20 inches from a large dry attractors are working well in riffles. Black or red Copper Johns (size 14 to 16) and Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 14 to 16) in black or olive have been producing best.

But nothing says fishing in November like streamers. Streamers are not necessarily bringing in the numbers that nymphs are and dry flies can, but they are bringing in some very large fish. They can entice big cutthroat to strike out of sheer aggravation, especially those holding alongside a number of podding fish in riffles and eddies. This is also the case for brown trout on the South Fork and the Salt as they pod up for spawning.

And don't forget forget about other waters in our region that still have marvelous fishing this time of year. Montana's Beaverhead has been really good with streamers and large nymphs for this stream's big brown trout. The Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley and downstream of Livingston is also a good choice. It holds large browns and cutthroat that get pretty made when a baitfish imitation gets a little too close.

Fishing Report for October 31st, 2010

Snake River
The first snows of the coming winter season have fallen. Air temps are cool as are water temps and, while the dry fly action has constricted to about four hours in late afternoon, the dry fly fishing that we are getting can been very good. Blue-winged olives, tricos, and midges are the primary bugs on the water. Mahogany duns and micro caddis will also make an appearance when there is a little bit of precipitation. October caddis can also appear intermittently. Productive surface patterns include black or olive Furimsky BDEs (size 16 to 18), olive Stacked Wing BWOs (size 14 to 16), Mahogany Parawulffs (size 12 to 16), and cream Comparaduns (size 16 to 18). Riffles and seams are the hot targets, but don't forget to hit tail-outs on large stream-bound structure and banks, as well as shallow flats extending off of cobblestone banks.


Subsurface fishing is almost the only game in town in the morning and early afternoon. Lightening Bugs (size 16), black Copper Johns (size 16 to 18), black or gray Tungsten Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20), and long hackled Tungsten Hare's Ears (size 14) are working very well in moderate to deep riffles, along seams, and in confluence lines. You will have to weed your way through a lot of whitefish, but it is entirely possible to hook into some 17 plus inch cutthroat.


South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir are down to 3,200 cfs. Fishing is tougher than it was a couple of weeks ago, but there is still some decent surface action along the entire length of the river from the Dam down to Lorenzo, especially from mid-afternoon until dusk. Blue-winged olives and tricos are the most prevalent bugs on the water, followed by mahogany duns on the wetter days. Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18), cream Furimsky BDEs (size 14 to 18), Mahogany Parawulffs (size 14 to 16), Copper Hazes (size 12 to 16), and Quigley Cripples (size 12 to 14) have been working very well during the few hours of dry fly action in shallow riffles and recirculating eddies.


Double nymph rigs have been doing very well in the morning in riffles, along banks, and in pools alongside structure. Lightening Bugs (size 12 to 16), Zug Bugs (size 14) and black or olive Copper Johns (size 12 to 16) have been very productive patterns over the past week.

Fly Fishing Report for October 22nd, 2010

Snake River
The best action on the Snake over the past week and a half has been subsurface with double nymph rigs and streamers. Zug Bugs and Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14), olive or black Copper Johns (size size 12 to 14), Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) and Soft Hackle Peacockle Princes (size 10 to 12) are working throughout the day on confluence lines, seams, and along the entire length of riffles. Heavy streamers on floating or intermediate lines are also working in similar water, but are definitely bringing in bigger cutthroats along banks and structure. Bright streamers such as the Zoo Cougar (size 4 to 6), rust Sex Dungeons (size 2 to 4), J.J. Specials (size 4 to 6), Beldar's Bugger (size 4 to 6), and gray-over-white Quad Bunnies (size 2 to 4) have been the most productive patterns. These streamers are not working consistently throughout the day, but when they are producing it is with some fairly large trout.


Dry flies are producing intermittently along banks and structure, but it is in side channels that we have had our best luck on the surface. Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany emergers (size 12 to 14), and Snake Drake Emergers (size 10 to 12) fished solo have been the best patterns in this regard. The side channels running from Deadman's Bar down to South Park Bridge is where most of the action has been.

The coming low pressure system entering the area this coming weekend should make the surface action noticeably better.

South Fork
Releases from Palisades Reservoir are down to 4,000 cfs. While the dry fly fishing has been hit-or-miss, the subsurface action has been a bit more consistent. Riffles and eddies are working with Rainbow Warriors (size 16), red or black Copper Johns (size 12 to 16), Flashback Pheasant Tails (size 14 to 16) and San Juan Worms. These nymphs have been responsible for bringing in some big brown trout as of late that are holding in the tails of long riffles. Streamers are doing the same along banks and structure and on long, skinny-water flats in the Canyon and in the upper reach of the South Fork in Swan Valley. Some of our favorite streamers as of late on the South Fork are various color schemes of articulated Quad Bunnies (size 2 to 4), brown-over-yellow or olive-over-white Clouser Minnows (size 4 to 6), Silvey Sculpins (size 2) in gray or white, and Stacked Blondes (size 4).

As on the Snake, expect dry fly action on the South Fork to pick up significantly after this next cold front moves in thsi coming weekend.

A Note on Area Brown Runs
October is the month for brown runs in the Rocky Mountain West. Much attention is paid to what is happening on the Green and the South Fork, but don't forget about the lake run browns coming up the Madison River from Hebgen Lake, the Lewis River Channel from Lewis Lake, and the upper Snake from Jackson Lake. The Lewis Lake browns are in the channel at the moment and more are on there way. The Jackson Lake browns is a quick-tempo run that generally lasts only about two weeks before spawning begins en masse. That run generally starts later than most and should be right around the corner.

Fishing Report for October 12th, 2010

Snake River
Dry fly fishing on the Snake was showing signs of waning over the past week, but a recent low pressure system has chilled the water, sparked more intense hatches, and has allowed the Snake to get back to what it typically is this time of the year. PMDs, blue-winged olives, hecubas, and October caddis are all making appearances on the surface at different periods throughout the day. We are also seeing speckled-wing quills in bits and pieces. Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany Emergers (size 12 to 14), orange Stimulators (size 10), white or gray Furimsky BDEs (size 12 to 14), and Parachute Hares Ears (size 12) are bringing up big cutthroat when fished as part of a tandem rig with a red Fat Albert (size 8 to 10), olive SRA Chernobyls (size 8), or a variety of Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 8 to 10).

While the entire river is fishing well, the best action is without question from Wilson Bridge down to Sheep Gulch in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Banks and structure and producing in the early part of the day from approximately 11 am to 1:30 pm, after which time riffles, seams, and confluence points begin to pick up with mayfly adult and emerger imitations. The river should fish well until dusk.

One additional point - The Snake is fishing well throughout the day with a double nymph rig or a hopper-dropper rig. Olive or black Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, and Zug Bugs have been performing best. Consider using these nymphs in conjunction with a Pat's Rubber Leg or Parkins' Stone Nymph in the morning and fishing it until dry fly action picks up.

South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir have dropped to 6,000 cfs and the fishing on the South Fork has brokn through its late September-early October lull. Action has picked up without a doubt. When the weather is overcast and a little on the wet side, expect to see tricos, BWOs, and a lot of mahogany duns. This will make riffles, recirculating eddies, and flats off of banks fairly active, especially in the afternoon. Mahogany Emergers (size 14 to 16), CDC BWOs (size 16), Purple Hazes (size 14 to 16), Copper Hazes (size 14 to 16) and olive or dun Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18) have been the best producers.

Subsurface flies are worth considering when the dry fly action isn't happening. San Juan Worms are working fine in all water types, but it is Lightening Bugs (size 14), Bubble Back BWO Nymphs (size 14 to 16), black Copper Johns (size 14 to 16), and Prince Nymphs (size 14 to 16) that can really hammer it home, especially in riffles and on long flats with a little depth to them. A variety of white, gray, or olive streamers fished at the tail end of riffles, along banks, and on flats are bringing in big browns that are prepping for the spawn.

Salt River
The Salt is low and clear and fishing well, especially when low pressure systems are in the area. Olive tricos have been the most prevalent bug on the water, and at times they can be quite prolific. Blue-winged olives and caddis can also be abundant at times. Fishing from the narrows to Etna and from Jackknife to Perks are two of the best reaches to hit at the moment. Get your mayfly nymph and adult patterns in close to undercut banks and fish them along the entire length of riffles with as long of a drift as possible. Expect strikes from big browns and cutthroats.

Fishing Report for October 3rd, 2010

Snake River
Incredible weather persists in western Wyoming and flows are dropping out of Jackson Lake Dam. The result is some good fishing on the Snake River. It can get tough at times with the warm air temperatures and the consistently high pressure system sitting over the area, But persistence can pay off big time. All sections of the river from Deadman's Bar down to Sheep Gulch are displaying decent dry fly action from approximately noon until dusk (around 7 pm currently). Holding water that is producing best include riffles, seam lines, and confluence points. Banks and structure become active as the day progresses and water temperatures warm. The most successful dry fly patterns include Royal Wulffs (size 12 to 14), Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 14), Parachute Hare's Ears (size 10 to 12), Purple Haze (size 12), gold or orange Stimulators (size 10), gold or olive Parachute Hoppers (size 8 to 10), red Fat Alberts (size 8 to 10), Tara Xs (size 8 to 10), gold Chubby Chernobyls (size 10), SRA Chernobyls (size 8 to 10) in a variety of colors. Our guides have been fishing these as tandem dry rigs with the larger fly in lead and the smaller fly as a trailer.

In the morning hours from dawn until noon, the dry fly action has been slow. One should think seriously about throwing a double nymph rig or at least a hopper-dropper rig until serious surface action begins. The most successful nymphs include olive or black Copper Johns (size 12 to 14), Lightening Bugs (size 12), and long hackled Prince Nymphs (size 12 to 14). Fished in riffles and on seam lines, these nymphs have been fishing as good as dry flies later in the day.

South Fork
Flows out of Palisades Reservoir are at 6900 cfs and while the fishing is tough on the South Fork, one can still have success if they fish hard in the right water at the right times and with the right tackle. The upper section in Swan Valley and the upper part of the canyon are fishing best of all. Nymphing is good in the morning hours fished as hopper-dropper rigs along banks and structure. In the afternoons, dry fly action picks up in riffles, seams, and along banks and structure. Tandem rigs featuring large dry flies trailing small mayfly imitations are working well from mid-afternoon until dusk, although there are days when the dry fly fishing picks up earlier. Amongst the best producing dry flies are Bosworth Fenzys (size 8), gold or red Chubby Chernobyls (size 8 to 10), peach Will's Winged Chernobyls (size 10), Quigley Cripples (size 12), Mahogany Emergers (size 12), and Ausable Wulffs (size 12 to 14). Side Channels are still fishing well but imitative patterns are a must as is lighter leader to get into the spooky trout inhabiting them at the moment. Think about using Pheasant Tail Emergers and CDC Bubble Back Emergers. No matter where you fish, the takes have been excruciatingly slow over the past three weeks, so be on the ball with you hook sets.

And one last point - whether you are on the Snake or the South Fork, take a moment to look up from the water to take in the fall colors. It is absolutely gorgeous right now.