Snake River
Since our local fly fishing tournament ended this weekend the flows on the
Snake River have begun to be drawn down The flows have been dropped slowly
enough to keep the fishing in good shape. The levels are currently at 3000 cfs.
This has slowed the river speed down somewhat and, coupled with the colder
nights serving to keep the water temps low, has improved the fishing. The
bigger fish are again looking up and the streamer fishing has been exceptional.
Hatches have been fairly consistent on the main river. Our guides have been
seeing Mahogany Duns in size 16 and Yellow Duns in size 16 with enough
regularity that the fish have been keyed in on them in some parts of the river.
Now is the time of year to look for actively rising fish in the slower runs and
back eddys. We should start to see some Blue Wing Olives in the next few weeks.
For attractor patterns Lime Turck's Tarantulas, Lime Trudes, Tennessee
Wulffs and various hopper patterns have been the most productive.
If streamer fishing is you game try JJ Specials and Olive Zonkers fished
into the undercut banks and the slower runs. The streamer fishing has been best
in the middle of the day.
Try the hopper-dropper combo. One of the best combinations has been a Yellow
Chernobyl Ant with a size 16 Copper John as the dropper. For a
searching pattern in the big water try a large, up-wing pattern such as a #10
H&L Variant or Royal Wulff.
Snake River Tributaries
Flat Creek on The National Elk Refuge
Smaller flies are becoming the rule out on Flat Creek. Tricos in sizes 18
and 20 have been taking the steadily rising fish and although we have not seen
any yet, the Blue Wing Olives should begin to show themselves on cloudy days.
Mahogany Duns have been coming off out on the refuge with some regularity. Look for cloudy days to bring these insects out in bigger numbers.
Fishing a Mahogany imitation on our home spring creek can be deadly with a long
drift fished to the sporadically rising bank feeder.
Hopper Patterns are still working on the gluttonous fish of Flat Creek.
searching the banks with hoppers, beetles and ants can save the slower days out
on the Elk Refuge.
Gros Ventre River
Despite low water the Gros Ventre has been fishing fairly well above and below Lower
slide Lake . The usual
assortment of attractors will work well here. Because of the low water fish are
beginning to pod up in the deeper holes. Be prepared to move from one deep hole
or run to another without seeing much in between. On sunny days search with hoppers
and keep moving, fishing every little pocket as you make your way up or down
the river. On cloudy days a traditional up wing pattern such as small H&L
Variants and Royal Wulffs will work well.
Ned Hutchinson
High Country Flies
Jackson
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