The Bureau of Reclamation has held true to its planned release for the Snake River. On June 23^rd the release from Jackson Lake is 4200cfs which is right on schedule with the Bureau of Rec’s forecast. If the Bureau stays on track, the Snake should be down to around 2500cfs by the first week of July - and we are expecting it to start fishing by at least then. We would like to thank the Bureau of Reclamation for their diligent effort.

As mentioned in our last report, we thought some of the area tributaries would be fishing by the end of June and they are. The Grey’s, Gros Ventre, and Pacific Creek are starting to produce with wet and dry fly action. For underneath, try Yuk Bugs in sizes 8 through 12, Anderson Rubberlegs in 10’s and 12’s, and Goldbead Hares Ears 10-14. For those of you who like to do your under water fishing with streamers, I think you will find small Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, and Leech patterns very effective. Dry fly fishing has been a little spotty but picking up momentum everyday. Stimulators, Humpy’s, Parachute Madam X’s, Gray Wulff’s, and Elk Hair Caddis are starting to yield consistent results.

The area lakes are still fishing well, but getting out-away from the shoreline will be a definite benefit. A boat, float tube, or pontoon boat and sinking lines can be a necessary element for fishing the lakes successfully. As of yet, our usually reliable Flying Black Ant hatch hasn’t shown, so most of the fishing has still been under the surface, with Buggers, Zonkers, and Leeches being main producers.

It is understandable with the wet conditions June has brought us, why the Flying Ant hatch has been delayed.

As conditions stabilize, our next report will have more information on area rivers and streams. As we alluded too earlier, probably even the Snake. Although the Jackson area hasn’t fished as early as we first projected, it still is going to be an early start. It’s not necessary to leave the valley anymore to find stream fishing, the tributaries are starting to fish and are only going to get better. And to top it all off, you should be able to fish the Snake in a week or two.

Until next time,

Howard Cole
High Country Flies