Snake River - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

 It has been all good news for fishing Jackson Hole. Our run-off timetable has been strange this season and it peaked around the 24^th of June, which is about two weeks late. Although the spike came late, recent warm temptures have brought the snowpack down even further so that the fishing conditions are a little ahead of past years. The valley is starting to fish with reliability.  More positive news is the Bureau of Reclamation originally predicted a Snake River release of 2000cfs. They have reduced the original forecast down to 1700cfs which can only help the fishing this summer.

Even though area rivers and streams are still running high (and some are still off in color) there has been enough bug activity in the valley for reliable fishing. Pacific Creek is very fishable and the Gros Ventre, Hoback, and Grey’s are getting better everyday. On the Snake, look for clear water where offshoots of lucent water enters the river. We have found fish stacked up in these little pockets.

Dry-fly fishing the tributaries has been dependable and has picked up considerably on the Snake. Standard dry patterns like Royal Wulffs, Parachute Adams, Stimulators and Turck’s Tarantulas have been trustworthy producers. On the Snake, the Dry with a Nymph Dropper technique has been very effective. Try a Green Bean, X-Fly Prince Nymph, or a Morrish Dirty Bird underneath a Bugmeister, or Parachute Madam X. Though the dry-fly fishing on the Tributaries has been good, don’t overlook the Dry-Dropper System. Royal Stimulator, Don’s Chernobyl, and Power Ants have been consistent dry patterns for the Tribs. For standard nymph fishing, Golden Stones Nymphs like the Beadhead Epoxyback, Speculator Stone, and old reliable Matt’s Fur should be dependable patterns on both the tributaries and the Snake. We have moved into the summer mode here in Jackson and the end of the day fishing can be quite good. On many warm evenings you can find rising fish until Zero-Dark-Thirty. Most of the time Caddis will be the prevalent insect. For the few times we have to match hatches on the Snake, this is one of them. But generally you shouldn’t have to do much more than an Elk Hair Caddis in the appropriate size.

Area lakes are still fishing well, but you will definitely do better by getting off the shoreline. You should consider a boat, float tube, or pontoon boat. The Flying Black Ants, which I have been talking about in the last couple of reports, have finally showed up. So keep a dry line handy for the late afternoon. Otherwise you will do much better with sinking lines, be it a sink-tip or full-sinking. Your flies that match the sinking lines will still be Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Mohair and Marabou Leeches.

All is well here. The area is fishing earlier than normal, we have good water flows, and the weather has been great. All in all things are lining up well for Jackson Hole. If you haven’t experienced the area this may be the year to come fish Jackson Hole. As usual for up to the minute conditions don’t hesitate to contact the shop.

Until next time, good fishing,

Howard Cole
High Country Flies