Snake River fly fishing report Jackson Hole, WY 7.12.17

/in , /by

The Snake River here in Jackson Hole, WY is still running fast and muddy. Current flows are 4230 cfs out of the Jackson Lake Dam and 9360 cfs at Moose, WY. The good news is that the major tributaries such as Pacific Creek, Buffalo Fork, and the Gros Ventre River look to have peaked and are beginning to trend down. This is great news after a long runoff season!

At this point, any guided fishing trips on the Snake River have been more of a scenic float with a casting lesson. There are a few small trout to be caught in the slowest of water types, but the best fly fishing of the season is yet to come for sure.

We look forward to running more guided fishing trips on the Snake River by the end of the month. Stay tuned for more details….

 

 

Jackson Hole Fishing Report – Snake River 5.4.17

/in /by

Fly fishing Jackson Hole- April

Jackson Hole fishing Report – Snake River

Here’s the latest Jackson Hole fishing report, sorry to keep you waiting! Fly fishing has been solid, despite higher than average flows on the Snake River.

The Snake River dropped and cleared last week and the results are in the net! Flows were dropped out of Jackson Lake Dam to 2000 cfs and the cooler weather brought runoff to a halt on our tributaries. Great hatches of BWO’s, Skwalas, Caddis, and a few March Browns had our Snake River Cutthroat looking to the surface for their next meal.

Focusing on slower water types and side channels with less volume saw the best surface action. We used the drift boat to float to likely fishing spots and walked around on foot. We also parked on relatively slow riffles for the most consistent action. Fly fishing from the boat was best with streamers such as Olive and White Double Bunnies or Black Leeches. Flies that were retrieved with quick 1-2 foot long strips were the most productive.

Slower riffles or banks were great places to toss a streamer or nymph rig. We fished a two fly nymph rig, with 5-6 feet of leader before the first fly, typically a #8-12 Stonefly nymph on 3X.  Our droppers have been a mix of #12-16 Pheasant Tails and #10-14 Hare’s Ears, roughly 18″ below the point fly. Both Olive and Red Copper Johns were successful droppers as well.

Upper Snake River Basin Snowpack Discussion

The Upper Snake River basin is currently at 165% of average for this date. Not surprising since we received 3-4 feet of snow above 8000 feet through the week!  The switch has flipped to more Summer like weather this week, and as a result river flows are on the rise.

Runoff will last into July this year on the Snake River. Our long-term forecast for the next few months shows more precipitation. Call us to find out where we are fly fishing before you arrive.

Stay tuned here for an up-to-date Jackson Hole fishing report! Or give us a call at 307-690-1139 to book a guided fly fishing trip in Jackson Hole.

Jackson Hole fishing report

Beautiful 20″ Snake River Finespot Cutthroat trout

Jackson Hole Feb 2017 - Snow

Snake River Fly Fishing Report, Jackson Hole, WY 3.4.17

/790 Comments/in /by

My oh my, has it been a snowy Winter here in Jackson Hole! February brought us significant moisture and we have the deepest snowpack to date ever!

Jackson Hole Feb 2017

Is there a Van underneath there?

We currently sit at 152% of water content in our snow pack. This is great news for our fisheries since we’ve seen a few dry years in a row as it will replenish our aquifers for this year and next. It will bring some Spring flooding and we will have to wait a bit longer to fish our rivers, but it will be worth it. The Bureau of Reclamation has already begun raising flows on the South Fork to 6750 cfs to make room for runoff. Flows for the Upper Snake here through Jackson will most likely be raised this coming week to roughly 1000 cfs from 300cfs. Our fly fishing season has picked up some as of late with warmer air temperatures above freezing and reaching 40 degrees. This has sparked our Spring midge hatch and a few Little Black Stones and our Cutthroat are looking for them. Mostly this is sub-surface activity with #14-18 Red or Black Copper Johns, #16-18 Zebra Midges, and smaller Stonefly imitations, but there are a few trout looking up to eat off the surface mid-afternoon. The streamer bite is slow, but might pick up a few trout if they are just swung through the current and not stripped. The best news is that we are running guided fly fishing trips! Give us a call at 307-690-1139 or shoot an email to [email protected] to get a date with one of our guides.    

Cutthroat trout - Jackson Hole - September

Snake River Fly Fishing Report Jackson Hole, WY 10.3.16

/26 Comments/in /by

I’m sitting here reminiscing about the amazing Fall weather we had here in Jackson Hole during September. Today it’s snowing above 8000 feet and chilly. No complaints, we need the moisture in a bad way!

September Grand Teton National Park

Is that where the pot of gold is?

The fishing report form the Snake this weekend was very good! Lots of Mayflies hatching and Cutthroat feeding on the surface. The rain missed the stretches south of Jackson, but pounded up in the Park. We are seeing the start of some mud in the Snake and it will likely continue through tomorrow after the rain we had today. The forecast looks good for the end of the week through the weekend and the Snake will have settled by then. We expect to see prolific hatches and lots of feeding trout!
Fly fishing Jackson Hole September

This Snake River Finespot ate a #12 Para Hare’s Ear

 

Fly fishing Jackson Hole September

Snake River Fly Fishing Report Jackson Hole, WY 10.1.16

/561 Comments/in /by

Whoa, it’s been a little bit since our last fishing report on the Snake River! Our apologies, it’s been busy around here… The Snake River fished very well in September, as it typically does. Cooler overnight temperatures brought the aquatic bugs back to life, especially our Mayfly population. Hecuba Drakes, Mahogany Duns, PMD’s, Tricos(earlier in the month), and Blue-winged Olives were all on the menu for our Cutthroat trout. We have been fishing Para Adams #12-18, #12-16 Purple Hazes, #10-12 Para Hare’s Ears, #16-18  Yellow and Pink Film Critic PMD’s, #16-18 CDC Para Spinners. It’s still been warm enough to keep our terrestrial population busy in the afternoons. Honey Ants and Beetles have been effective in the riffles along with the flies listed above. The Bureau of Reclamation began their flow drop on the Snake River this past Wednesday September 28th and the river will settle at it’s winter flow of 281 cfs on Tuesday October 4th. This flow drop affects the braided sections of the Snake in GTNP the most as our Cutthroat move out of the side channels and reposition themselves in the deeper holes of the main flow. From South Park downstream sees little effects of this flow drop and fishes well. Our guided fly fishing trips on these stretches have been productive the past few days as the final Mutant Stones hatch for the season. This has brought back the big bug action on foam attractors. Berrett’s Stone in red, Purple Chubbies, or your favorite home tie. I enjoy spinning a few flies that the trout have not been looking at all season and watch them crush it! We will be running guided fly fishing trips on the Snake River into November and are running a full day special until the end of the season! Feel free to call us at 307-690-1139 to book yours today.

Tetons in September

Beautiful September weather!

 
Fly fishing Jackson Hole September

September fly fishing in Jackson Hole

 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Backcountry Fly Fishing

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Backcountry Fly Fishing Report 9.7.16

/16 Comments/in /by

Fall has hit the Jackson Hole backcountry early this year, so get out there because it will only be fishing well for the next 3-4 weeks!  The backcountry is a great place to get away for the day and enjoy catching Cutthroat Trout at the base of some of Jackson Hole’s most beautiful mountains.  Do not be surprised if you do not see another angler all day when fly fishing the backcountry.  The water level is low but the fish are still eating and holding in the pools they can find. The leaves have started to change color and the temperatures have started to drop signaling the start of the Mahogany Dun hatch. Bring along some Mahogany Cripples (size 14-16), but a Purple Haze might be the only fly you need. Fall BWO’s have started to show on our backcountry creeks and this hatch will get more prolific as water temperatures continue to drop. Broken riffle water hides most of these trout in the lower flows of Fall. It is a good idea to cast in a riffle above a pool and let the fly float over the drop off in hopes of moving a nice Snake River Cutthroat Trout. Don’t overlook slower bank water though, as some large Cutties have been found sipping bugs and conserving their energy. Terrestrials are also still producing at a high level; ant patterns, beetles, and hoppers make for a great afternoon of fly fishing in Wyoming’s backcountry.  Mike’s Honey ant (size 12-16) or a Sparkle Ant are always good options as well as a cinnamon flying ant (size 12-16).  Even when it’s windy out these flies should still catch fish.  Cast them close to the bank to imitate an ant or beetle getting blown off a blade of grass. The backcountry season will soon be over so get out there and fish!  Call us today at (307) 690-1139 or check out our WY backcountry page to book a trip!

Fish The Fly Guide Service, Wyoming Backcountry, Fly Fishing, Snake River Cutthroat Trout

Fish The Fly guide Nat Murphy and Anne Olson with a tight line in Wyoming’s backcountry!

Snake River Fly Fishing

Snake River Fly Fishing Report Jackson Hole, Wyoming 9.6.16

/13 Comments/in /by

Fall is approaching us quickly here in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming!  Don’t be intimidated by the cool weather, as fall brings some of the best fly fishing Jackson has to offer!  The flows have been stable on the Snake River flowing at 3620 cfs at Moose, Wyoming. Early Autumn is a great time to get on the Snake! Cool mornings make for nice scenery and a better chance of seeing wildlife, and as the temperatures rise more and more bugs can be seen flying around and landing on the water!  Hecubas are starting to come out in force, especially on days with some cloud cover.  Mahogany Duns are also popping with the drop in water temperatures, while PMDs and Tricos can still be seen. Target riffles, bank structure, and seam lines where two currents come together.  Another great aspect of the Snake is all the side channels, so get out of the boat and get your feet wet!  Side channels of the Snake offer great structure fishing with small drys and can be the most rewarding adventure of the day. Call us today at (307) 690-1139 or check out our Snake River page to book a trip!

Fish The Fly Guide Service, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Dry Fly, Fly Fishing

A Hecuba Drake makes a nice meal for a Snake River Cutthroat

Fish The Fly Guide Service, Snake River, Cutthroat Trout, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Fly Fishing

Mary Ann Ragan with a beautiful Snake River Cutthroat!

The streamer bite is only going to get better and better as the mornings get cooler and cooler, cloud coverage with some precipitation is also a great time to throw on a streamer.  The Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat love the olive and white combo, maybe throw a cone head or a pair of eyes on there and you have a tasty meal for a big cutthroat.  Remember when fishing streamers you set the hook with a strip set rather than lifting your rod right away.  Give the fish a nice strip once you feel that bump on your line, then lift your rod once your line is tight.  Floating line with a nine foot leader is a good setup for streamer fly fishing on the Snake River.

Snake River Fly Fishing

Snake River Fly Fishing Report Jackson Hole, Wyoming 8.19.16

/36 Comments/in /by

The Jackson Hole Valley has seen some cooler weather over the last couple days with the occasional rain shower.  This is great for fly fishing, it resets the Snake River!  This weather gives the fish a chance to rest, but it also creates great moist habitat for bugs!  At Moose, Wyoming the Snake River is 64 degrees fahrenheit while flowing at 3810 CFS, in the canyon stretch above Alpine, Wyoming the Snake is flowing at 3640 CFS. With this new weather coming in, our Fall hatches have begun. Hecuba Drakes, Mahogany and Blue Duns, and even a few Blue Winged Olives. Add Tricos and terrestrials and you’ve got quite the menu to choose from! The Snake River Cutthroats are still eating Claassenia Stoneflies, especially in the mornings and later in the afternoons. I like to fish a smaller male Claassenia stonefly attractor such as Circus Peanut (size10-12) in the mornings and twitch them along the surface. Remember that these male bugs don’t have fully formed wings and tend to skitter along the surface(before they get eaten!). In the afternoons, I prefer a Purple Bruce or September Stone (size 8) that lands with a splat! The splat imitates a female returning to the water to lay her eggs and will attract more trout. The Snake is a great place to nymph, and our best trout are being caught sub-surface.  Blonde Rubber legs, Drake nymphs, Caddis nymphs, Pheasant Tails (size16-18), Copper Johns (size16-18, red or copper) all have been working this week!  When nymphing try to achieve the longest drift possible, this entails mending maybe as many as a dozen times in one drift! Keeping your nymphs at holding depth will raise your odds of catching more Cutthroat trout. Four to six feet is typically deep enough for the Snake River, and can even be shallower depending on water type. Our guides have been fishing the Snake River all season, and are excited about the new hatches coming into play. Fall fishing is going to be fantastic this year! Feel free to call us at 307-690-1139 or check out our Snake River page online.  

Fish The Fly Guide Service, Snake River, Cutthroat Trout, Jackson Hole Wyoming, Fly Fishing

The old cooler measuring trick with a nice Snake River Cutthroat!

Snake River Jackson Hole, Wyoming Fly Fishing Report 8/5/16

/35 Comments/in /by

Sorry it has been so long since our last fly fishing report!  The Snake River in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming is fishing very well right now.  The Snake is currently 66 degrees fahrenheit at Moose and is flowing at 3360 CFS, while flowing at 3870 CFS in the canyon stretch above Alpine, Wyoming.  With this warm weather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming mornings are the best time to fish, the water is still cool from the night before and the fish will be more active in cold water. Once mid afternoon hits, the water will begin to warm up and the fish will become lethargic and less active.  The Fine Spotted Snake River Cutthroat are eating the circus peanut (chocolate sizes 8-10), mutant stone fly (sizes 8-10), hoppers, beetles, and flying ants.  The Snake River is a great place to spend your morning searching for Snake River Cutthroat Trout, and our guides have all the bugs the fish are eating!

A nice Snake River Cutthroat Trout during a beautiful day in Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

Some happy clients with Fish The Fly Guide Will Pierce!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Backcountry Fly Fishing Report 7/25/16

/19 Comments/in /by

Despite recent wildfire activity in Wyoming, our backcountry creeks are fishing very well!  Jackson Hole, Wyoming has many different backcountry fly fishing locations, many of which do not get fished very often and are relatively remote.  If you like being the only fisherman on the water, and not seeing another angler all day, the backcountry of Wyoming is the fly fishing spot for you. The cutthroat trout in Wyoming’s backcountry are opportunistic and looking to feed! Caddis, Green and Grey Drakes, and PMD’s are always popular in the backcountry.  The cutthroat are still eating Stoneflies, with a Circus Peanut bringing up lots of trout. Give your foam bug some extra movement on top of the water; try skating it across the surface heading away from the bank.  The grass hoppers are also starting to come out, so if you see some hopping around the bank do not hesitate to throw one on the end of your line!  Fly fishing in the Backcountry of Wyoming is a great full day trip, which all fishermen can enjoy.

An old Elk on the river bank of one of our Backcountry creeks!

Flawless Fine Spotted Cutthroat Trout caught in the Wyoming Backcountry!