Fishing Report for Feb. 27th, 2011

We are coming off a brutally cold February in the Snake River region. It may not have been a record cold month, but it has been below average. We are looking forward to what is generally the fun month of March, still fantastic skiing in the area, but also warmer days for fishing. In Jackson Hole, for example, daytime temperatures in March are on average nine degrees higher than in February. Days are getting longer, too. Yesterday I fished the South Fork in the vicinity of Conant Valley until 6:30 pm and there was still light for another 20 minutes or so. Watching the seasons progress from winter to summer gets most of us at Snake River Angler excited and eager about whats to come.


If you get out on the water over the next month, be prepared with patterns that will match chironomids, bwos, and little black stoneflies (Capnias). But also stay on the lookout for little green stoneflies (Chloroperlidae). The little green stone makes an early to mid-summer appearance on most trout streams in the West, but on the Snake and its tributaries, you will find them quite a bit earlier. You will see the come out just after equinox. The Lime Trude (size 12) and the Jimmy Z (size 10 to 12). Like yellow sallies, little green stones can emerge within a stream by coming to the surface and crawling from its shuck (hence the effectiveness of Howard Coles' Yellow Sally Emerger. Nonetheless, I find the Lime Trude and the Jimmy -Z to be most effective in the spring when fished along banks and structure and on slow-water flats. This is where you should target your little green stone imitations, as well as your little black stonefly patterns.


Trout Population Estimates for the South Fork
In Early February, the Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife released the population estimates from the South of the Snake River. As we would expect from the most consistent trout stream in our region, trout abundance is strong - 4,618 trout per mile for the upper South Fork and 1,051 trout per mile on the lower South Fork. The number of cutthroat and brown trout on the upper South Fork are up slightly, while the number of rainbow trout are down slightly, suggesting perhaps that the Angler Incentive Program (i.e. - 0 limit on rainbow trout), tributary weirs, and the timing of freshet releases from Palisades Reservoir are having their intended impact. We take all of this with a grain of salt, however. we saw dramatic increases in the number of cutthroat over rainbows for a few years until 2010, when rainbow number suddenly jumped and overtook cutthroat numbers. Hopefully what we saw happen this year will start the same trend that we saw prior to 2010. Many of us believe that the key is the freshet releases from Palisades Dam - if these can be timed properly with the spawning of rainbows on the upper South Fork, we could see more impactful decreases in rainbow numbers and increases in native cutthroat.


Interesting Article about Idaho's Angler Incentive Program
The Jackson Hole New and Guide's Paul Bruun recently wrote a very insightful piece regarding the efforts on the South Fork to reduce the number of non-native rainbow trout. Go to this link to take a peek - http://www.jhnewsandguide.com.search.php/?date=2011-02-16

Longer Days and Improved Fishing - Report for January 29th, 2011

The days are getting longer and as they are, the fishing is getting better. Don't expect anything off the charts (such results rarely happen in the Snake River region this time of year), but there is noticably better results, especially when we get the "warm" weather that pushes temps into the upper 30s and low to mid 40s. Productivity is generally about one to two hours longer than it has been over the past several weeks. Surface action is going to be about a half hour to an hour longer than what we have experienced over the past month or so. Midges and a few blue-wing olives are the most prevalent bugs on the water at that time. As the water temperatures warm, we should also start to see more little black stoneflies.

Anglers are reporting decent action on RS-2 Midge (size 18), Ice Cream Cone Midges (size 16 to 20) in black, olive, or tan, Tunjgsten Midge Pupa (size 18 to 20) in sizes 18 to 20, black Copper Johns (size 16 to 20), and Lightening Bugs (size 16 to 18). Above the surface, trout are being taken on olive or black Furimsky BDEs (size 18) and Renegades (size 18).

While the whole of the Snake River and many of its tributaries are continuing to offer better fishign with each passing week, there is no question that the lower South Fork (from Byington down to Menan), as well as the main stem of the Snake from Menan down to Shelley and the lower Henrys Fork (downstream of St. Anthony) are the sections of river that are experiencing the best action. If there is a year-around fishery in the Snake River drainage, this is the place.

Fishing Report for January 7th, 2010

Warmer Temps Ring in Better Fishing

After almost two weeks of bitterly freezing weather, the cold front has passed through and temperatures have now climbed into the low 30s in Jackson Hole and the high 30s in Swan Valley. This has allowed the window for action on flies to pick up a bit, including some surface activity on both streams. Don't plan on being on the water before 12 am. The most productive time periods have been from about 2 pm to 4 pm. It is during this small, two hour window that some surface action is occurring as midges and a FEW bwos make an appearance.

Ice Cream Cone Midge Nymphs (size 16 - 18) in black, cream or olive, as well as black or olive Copper Johns (size 16 to 18) and Rainbow Warriors (size 18) have been the most productive nymphs on both streams. These are being fished as a double rig with a large (size 10) Prince or Pheasant Tail Nymph as the lead. The tails of riffles and shallow inside turns on riffles is where the majority of the action has been. These pieces of holding water, as well as long flats, is where much of the surface activity has been as well on midge and BWO imitations like black Furimsky BDEs (size 18), Griffith's Gnats (size 16 - 18), Parachute Adams (size 16 to 18) and Purple Hazes (size 16 to 18).

Throughout the afternoon period on the Snake and the South Fork, streamers that are swung and stripped through riffles and in the deeper parts of the flats. The action is not off the charts, but it can be worthwhile and the possibility of hooking into a large brown or cutthroat is certainly there. Furgus' Strung-Out Leech in olive-over-gray and gray-over-white Clouser Minnows have been working best for anglers who are reporting back to our shop.

Another cold front will be moving into the Snake River area starting on Sunday and will last through Tuesday before another warm spell, and perhaps better and more comfortable fishing, returns.

Ice Fishing! - Its On!

There is one nice thing about standing on an 18-inch thick sheet of ice while being blasted by icy wind storms - the fishing can be excellent if you can withstand sub-zero temps. The ice fishing has just kicked into gear this past week and there are good reports coming in from Slide Lake and Jackson Lake. Some big lake trout are being taken from Jackson Lake with blue-over-white and olive-over-white jigs, as well as sculpins and large rock and shiner minnows. Certainly enough action for most fish bums until the fishing on our rivers pick up in earnest.

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.