Flat Creek National Elk Refuge Fly Fishing Report 8/12/16

Apparently you can catch fish on Flat Creek in a pink shirt 😉

Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a great fishery located just north of town.  There are two points of entrance, one is right across the street from the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the second is located at the entrance of The Jackson National Fish Hatchery.  When fly fishing Flat Creek walk quietly along the bank before making any casts and take note of the bug life. Taking this approach will allow you to match the hatch and not spook trout while blind casting.

  Fishing Flat Creek is all about not spooking the large Fine Spotted Cutthroats that live in this spring creek. Crouching on the bank and being aware of your shadow is a good plan of attack to not give yourself away.  It is important to be aware of your surroundings when fishing on the Elk Refuge, because it does get crowded and you never know where a fellow angler might be stalking some fish!  The trout tend to stay under the cut banks during the heat of the day, but will give up these lies in low light conditions during the early morning hours and while the sun is setting.

Crane Flies and Damselflies (size 6), PMD Cripples and Rusty Spinners (size 16-18), X-Caddis (sizes 14-16), and hopper patterns all have worked well this past week. Hopper patterns produce in all water types, but especially tight against the grassy banks.  Smaller dry flies such as PMDs and Caddis are great options for long,slow seams.  Fly fishing Flat Creek is similar to stalking big game. Listening for rises, watching the water, and being aware of the bug life are all factors that contribute to catching trout on the Flat Creek stretch on the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

Some nice slow water to target when fishing in the evening!