Snake River
This past weekend the Snake River was once again host to the annual Jackson
Hole One Fly, and what a crazy weekend it was. The rain began Thursday night
and just kept coming until late Saturday morning. This resulted in an
incredible rise in water levels of almost 1200 cfs. In my 21 years in Jackson
Hole, I have never seen such a dramatic rise due to rain alone.
As you've probably guessed, the Snake River blew out and, combined with the
rapid rise, fishing became very difficult to say the least. Flows peaked on
Sunday and things have been returning to normal ever since, though, as of this
writing, flows are still high. Expect this situation to rectify itself in
another day or two.
Though the weekend was not very good due to increased flows, the inclement
weather made for very good fishing on the preceding Thursday and Friday as
various mayflies hatched in big numbers. We'll continue to see most of these
various species hatching for the rest of the month and even into October.
Arguably, the two most important mayflies are the Hecuba (a size 10 drake
with brown body and yellow segmentation) and Pale Morning Duns (size 14). But
don't overlook Mahogany Duns (size 14 and 16) and Red Quills (size 12 and 14).
For the Hecuba, a size 10 Snake Drake is probably the best pattern as it was
designed with this hatch in mind. The others can be imitated with a wide
variety of mayfly patterns including Wulffs and Parachutes. Ausable Wulffs and
Parachute Hare's Ears can be particularly effective. I personally find the
Parachute Hare's Ear to be significantly more effective than the more popular
Parachute Adams.
Hoppers are still important in good weather and are best imitated with red
or yellow Tarantulas, Chernobyl Ants, old stand-bys Jay-Dave's Hopper and
Schroeder's Parachute Hopper, yellow Double Humpies and Floating Muddlers, also
in yellow. Two new hopper patterns, the Rainy Parachute and Kingfisher, have
also been fishing well. Regarding red and yellow, the other day I did very well
with red Tarantulas in the morning and killed them with yellow Tarantulas in
the afternoon.
Streamers are becoming increasingly effective and have been consistent
producers for larger trout. Try JJ Specials (which took the largest trout of
the One Fly, 20 1/2"), Gartside Soft Hackle Streamers (in brown/yellow or
black), and sculpin patterns, of which the McCune's Sculpin is one of our
favorites.
We anticipate the Bureau of Reclamation to soon begin reducing releases out
of Jackson Lake Dam. When this occurs, fishing will undoubtedly improve,
perhaps dramatically. Flows have been high all season and for much of the
summer larger trout have been hunkered down deep. They haven't been caught much
and consequently are fat, dumb and happy. Lower flows will make these trout
much more accessible, especially for dry fly fishing, and we are hoping for and
expecting a very productive fall.
And don’t forget about our Snake River tributaries. They have extremely good
access and as each one flows through different topography, they have their own
individual beauty. All have been fishing very well the entire season. Use the
same patterns that we have recommended for the Snake but come down a little in
size. I would add one pattern to the list, a Royal Stimulator.
If you are thinking about fishing the area we strongly suggest doing so.
Year after year late August to October 31st (the end of our trout season) is
consistently the best time to fish Jackson Hole. Town is a little less crowded.
The fishing is great, the weather is great (usually), the scenery is great,
it’s just a great time of year to be here.
Until next time...
Guy Turck & Howard Cole
High Country Flies
Jackson
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