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Fishing Reports |
Jackson Hole Fishing Report
May 19, 2004
Snake River
For this fishing report it's the ole good news, bad news thing. Bad news is we are in run-off. The good news is with unseasonably mild spring we’ve had, run-off is not going to last long. Since late last week we have been experiencing cooler temperatures and the Snake had cleared up to where it is fishable, but this will be a day to day situation. The way things look right now; the Jackson Hole Valley will be fishing in June. This is a very rare treat. For those of you who have become familiar with the valley in late summer and early fall, be apprised that it is a very different fishery when it comes to June. Where in August and September we are a large attractor dry fly fishery, in June we are much more of the typical fly fishing Match the Hatch fishery with prolific stonefly and caddis hatches. You would be prudent to stock a fly box with an assortment of stoneflies in different colors (yellow, brown, olive, and orange) from size 6 through 12. The caddis will come the same way, in a wide range of color and sizes. You will find them in tan, brown, olive, and gray and from size 10 to 18’s, with tan and gray, and in sizes 14’s and 16’s being the most prevalent. For those of you who can take advantage of this year’s situation you will see it is a luxury to fish the Snake in June.
Green River
The upper Green in the Pinedale area has started to clear and is quite fishable. If this is due to the cooler weather pattern we have been experiencing remains to be seen. Many locals believe the Green has peaked and the run-off is over. Time will tell. Though it is about a month early, the upper Green traditionally fishes very well when it is dropping and clearing. As of yet, it hasn’t fished very consistently, but we are expecting it to bust loose any day now. Try Wooly Buggers and Sculpin patterns in olive. As far as dries go, keep your eyes open for those early season stoneflies.
Henry's Fork
What can we say about the Henry’s Fork? How about: Christmas Comes Early. The Salmonflies have started on the lower river. I know it is a couple weeks early but that is how it is going to be this year in the Yellowstone area. You should expect water conditions and hatches to be from anywhere from two weeks to a month early. Those of you who like to chase the Salmonfly Frenzy of the Henry’s Fork might want to get after it now because by the time the Box opens Memorial Weekend (Saturday, May 29th) up there, it just may be over by then. Smatterings of PMD’s and Caddis have been showing up below the Ashton Dam. Many people neglect to take advantage of these little potato chips when the Pteronarcys T-Bones are around. I suggest that you don’t overlook them.
South Fork
Even though the South Fork has had high early season flows it has been fishing surprisingly well. The dry fly fishing has been somewhat slow with late afternoon caddis activity but fishing below the surface has been consistently good. Streamers to the banks and small caddis and nymph patterns in the riffles. And hope for the dries, it won’t be long. There is going to be a spring flush from the Bureau of Rec. May 18 through the 23rd. This will put fishing off until things stabilize again.
Things are shaping up for a good start to our summer season. I can’t stress how rare it is to fish our valley in June and how good it can be. So if you can get a chance I would definitely try and take advantage of the situation.
Until next time,
Howard Cole
High Country Flies
