2023 Fishing Report

It was another great season at Grand Fishing. The trout were biting, the weather was beautiful, and the clients were happy. Our goal as an outfitter has always been to provide our clients with an exceptional, positive experience on the river, regardless of how the bite is that day. We can’t always guarantee trout, but we can do our best to guarantee a memorable day on the water, and I believe we accomplished that this season. Lucky for us, the fishing was also really good this year, which made our jobs a little bit easier.

The season was off to a slower start this year, due to one of the biggest winters the area has seen in the last three decades. Luckily, warm temperatures and heavy rain in late June increased snow melting and expedited Jackson’s annual run-off cycle. The Snake River was fishing how it should in early July and showed no signs of slowing down.

Once the river leveled out to typical flows in early July, we began consistently getting clients out on the river and onto fish. Guides were ready for work, and the fish were ready to eat. Big and small dry flies, foam grasshoppers, and nymphs were the ticket to success throughout the heart of the season. The Snake has always been a dry fly fishery, so we like to do our best to stick to dry fly fishing. When the trout are picky though, which can happen with pressure and weather, we lean on the dropper to get the job done. We saw big fish in riffles, riverbanks, undercut banks, deep holes, and under down trees. Pretty much everywhere you would expect a big trout to be in. Overall, it was a successful summer, and we’re pleased to say we got a lot of big fish to the net. (List of some popular summer flies below)

Dry Flies: Parachute Adams, Split Flag Adams, Guide Chute, Film Critic, PMDs, Blue Wing Olives, Mahogany Duns, Purple Haze

Foam: Chubby Chernobyl, Water Walker, Purple Bruces, Circus Peanut, Morrish Hopper, Skwala, Grand Hoppers

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Copper Johns, Perdigons, Duracell’s, Pheasant Tail, Psycho Princes

The end of September is when we start to see business slow down a little. This has to do with a drop in tourism, colder temperatures, and the stigma that the fishing isn’t as good this time of year. We are here to prove that stigma wrong. The fall season in the valley is one of the best times to be on the river. The weather is beautiful, the leaves are blossoming with color, the rivers lack human presence, and the fish are biting. Small dry flies and streamers are your best bet to get on a nice cutthroat this time of year. Novices may find the fishing to be a little tougher, as the fishing becomes a little more technical this time of year, but the intermediate to advanced angler will find the fishing to be some of the best in the west. If you’re looking to catch big cutthroat trout, this is the time to be on the water. We saw a lot of success on our trips later in the year and hope to continue to get clients on the water in the fall in the future.

Finally, we’ll get into our season on Fish Creek. This was one of the best years of fishing that we have seen on the creek in a long time. With over 4 miles of private creek access on the Snake River Ranch, we were able to cover a lot of water and target big cutthroat trout sipping small dry flies. Once the creek flows began to drop from early season conditions, and trout began to migrate up from the Snake River, we consistently found ourselves with a lot of great chances at success. Our guides are very skilled on the creek and know where the fish are and what they eat at different times of the season. Their knowledge lead anglers from all over the world to get on some of the biggest Snake River cutthroats in the area.

Overall, we were very pleased with how the season went. We did our best to ensure the safety of all of our clients, while also providing a positive, fulfilling experience on the water. We look forward to doing the same next season. See you all then!

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2023 Fishing Report

The Snake River (WY): As seen by the eye, the Snake is experiencing its annual runoff, caused by snow melt from the mountains, muddy tributaries, rain, and warm weather. This makes catching fish right now very difficult. Mud, poor clarity, and high water are a recipe for tough fishing. With rapid melting at high elevations, the Snake should start clearing up in late June or early July.

Dry Flies: The dry fly fishing will pick up once the water levels drop and the clarity improves

Nymphs: Squirmy Worms (Red or Pink), Pat’s Rubber

Streamers: Sex Dungeon, Rusty Trombone, Sculpzilla, Wooly Buggers, Sculpins, Leaches, Circus Peanut – the main colors that will work are white or black

The Green River (WY): The Green experiences a different runoff cycle than the Snake, so it typically clears up earlier. The headwater of the river is a freestone river (not obstructed by a dam), beginning at the Green River Lakes at the base of the Wind River Mountain Range. It has recently started to fish very well from the lake to the Fontenelle dam as the flows begin to drop. It is currently running around 1500 cfs. Catching fish on the Green can be a little more difficult than other rivers, but with the right technique and flies, you can have some luck. Streamers, Pat’s Rubber Legs, and Worms are your best bet right now. In the next few weeks, the Green Drake hatch will begin, so the dry fly bite should pick up very soon.

Dry Flies: Parachute Adams, Blue Wing Olive, Green Drake, Mayfly, PMDs, BWOs, Midges

Nymphs: Squirmy Worms (Red or Pink), Pat’s Rubber Legs, Beadhead Pheasant Tails, Beadhead Hares Ear, Prince Nymphs

Streamers: Sex Dungeon, Rusty Trombone, Sculpzilla, Wooly Buggers, Sculpins, Leaches, Circus Peanut – the main colors that will work are white, black, and olive

             

Fish Creek (SRR): Fish Creek is tough fishing this time of year. We have started to see more and more cutthroat each week in the creek, but numbers are down due to pre-season conditions. Right now, the creeks flows are higher due to heavy rain and snow melt. This can make finding trout more difficult, as fish are tougher to spot and target. As the water levels drop, the fishing should get significantly better, as more and more cutthroat begin their migration up the creek to settle for the summer season.

Dry Flies: Golden Stones (sz 10,12), Chubby Chornobyl’s (sz 10,12), Parachute Adams (sz 16,18, 20), Blue Wing Olives (sz 16,18,20), Guides Choice (sz 16,18, 20), Split Flag Adams (sz 16,18, 20), PMDs (sz 14,16,18), Tilt Wing PMDs (sz 14,16,18), Purple Haze (sx 16, 18, 20), Mohagany Dun (sz 18,20)

 

June 2022 Fishing Report

Snake River

June 16, 2022

The snake river is currently at high water. Our snow in the mountains is holding on. This means we will have a great float season this year. We are expecting consistent flows from the dam at Jackson Lake which will help out the fish tremendously. So far it has been a cold and wet spring, meaning the river isn’t quite ready yet. We are hoping the river will clear by the end of the week. Us locals look at the mountains to gauge the runoff. When Glory Mountain is free of snow, the snake will be close to ready. When Rendezvous bowl is free of snow the snake will be fishing as it should.

June 23, 2022

Snake River

Today was the first day the Snake fished well since runoff began. The water temperature is just right, and the flows are evening out. We need the visibility to clear up a little before we start fishing dry flies, but streamers and nymphs are working for now.

Green River

The Green is fishing really well at this time. It is normal for this river to clear before the Snake, due to its location to the mountains, and the lack of tributaries flowing into the river. Fishing on the Green is challenging, with small targets and picky fish but the rewards can be great. As the river has dropped, fish have started feeding on worms and large streamers. The worm hatch is a real thing on the Green and the fish are currently fat and happy. As the river clears and drops more, we will start fishing dry flies. Golden stones and gray drakes will be our best bet to get the big fish to rise. Floating the green is comparable to playing the Pebble Beach golf course; it is a beautiful and classic example of fly fishing a challenging mountain river. Old fly patterns work great and new ones work better (maybe). The Green will fish consistently through the month of July.

Fish Creek

The Creek is fishing well, as it usually does. Fish Creek is a tributary to the snake and sees a push of spawning cutthroat every spring. A lot of those fish become residents of the creek and will stay there all summer. It is your best chance to catch a 20-inch native cutthroat trout in the valley. It is a spring creek that has clear water and spooky trout. We typically fish light line to rising trout heads. An accurate cast of about 40 feet is necessary. The Creek is not beginner-friendly, as it is very technical and demanding. Fish Creek is loaded with mayflies, stoneflies, caddis, and crane flies. We mostly fish dry flies, though the dropper can be effective if the fish are not actively feeding on top. Private water opens a window to the past. To see what fishing was like 30 years ago, book a trip with us on Fish Creek.

   

Lake Creek

Lake Creek is a great option to fish while the snake is high and muddy. Lake creek sees a push of migratory fish and is still the creek where I’ve caught my largest cutthroat trout. Quality over quantity is the name of the game. Fishing lake creek feels like hunting, you must cover the water and be ready when the opportunity presents itself.

Salt River

The salt is a freestone river (no dam) that flows out of the mountains into palisades reservoir in Alpine, Wyoming. It’s about an hour’s drive from Jackson and can be a great river to fish when all necessary factors align. We typically fish dry flies for native cutthroat trout on the Salt. There are also brown trout that live in palisades reservoir and come into the river to spawn in the fall. They usually become residents of the river and you could catch a very large brown trout any month of the year.

Flat Creek

This creek is a great option this time of year. This is a wade fishing trip like fish and lake creek. Flat creek is public water and offers amazing fishing opportunities. It can be challenging fishing, as you are working tight channels with high, grassy banks. Light line to large native trout. This time of year, we will be fishing dry flies and matching the hatch. If there is no hatch, we typically fish dry dropper.

Come visit the Fly shop and get more specific information on fly patterns.

How We’re Handling Covid

At Grand Fishing Adventures, we hold our guest and staff safety to the highest standards in the industry. We pride ourselves in putting each of our guides through an intensive, 16-hour Wilderness First Aid course every two years, when basic first aid and CPR are the only required certifications from our permitting agencies. We also require our guides to hold a Swift-water Rescue certification. This year, however, river safety is not the only concern.

In so many ways, COVID-19 has affected the way we all go about our lives, including how we travel and enjoy the outdoors. As businesses open up again, we all need to continue to do our part to stave off the threat of infection spreading. At Grand Fishing, we believe it is possible to safely run fishing trips while doing so. In light of COVID-19, we’ve introduced new protocols to keep our guests, guides and staff safe and healthy.

  • Within 24 hours of the trip date, our staff will reach out to guests and ask several questions about their current health and risk of exposure to COVID-19. If it is determined that a guest is unwell or has had recent exposure to the illness, they will be asked to re-book for a later date. Guides will be held to the same standards.
  • Guides will stagger meet times to avoid more than one group in our shop at a time.
  • Guests will have the option to pre-print their fishing licenses to avoid going into the shop, if that is preferred.
  • If guides meet their guests at a hotel or rental house, we will ask they meet outside in the parking lot.
  • Guides will wipe their vehicles with disinfectant each day, just before guests enter their vehicle. Guests and guides will be asked to wear face masks when traveling in guide vehicles, and if guests prefer to drive their own vehicle, arrangements can be made to have their car shuttled to the takeout.
  • Guides will disinfect all hard surfaces in their boat between each guest.
  • If guests wish to use a guide’s fly rod, the handle will be wrapped in cellophane to make it easier to disinfect.
  • All lunches are prepared by The Aspens Market, which has been open throughout the pandemic, following CDC guidelines for food preparation.  Guides will not handle lunches, except to hand to the guests and all snacks will come pre-wrapped.

At Grand Fishing Adventures, we recognize the COVID-19 situation is ever-changing as new information comes to light. We are committed to staying informed throughout the summer season and will adapt our protocols based on changing conditions. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

 

The trout are hungry…get out there!

The Snake has cleared and the fish are looking up. A variety of foam flies have been attracting nice fish, with both grasshopper and stonefly patterns working well. For a sure-fire combo, throw a dropper under that foam.  Riffles, banks, and drop-offs have all been holding fish.

The creeks on the ranch are on fire! Big fish are eating dry flies and it’s a great way to spend the day wading in the Tetons.

Two beautiful cuttys.

It’s time! Summer fishing on the Snake.

Summer is here, and the Snake is almost clear.  The water is dropping quickly and we should be fishing prime conditions soon.  But there are fish to be had!  We are seeing fish eat on the top and on nymphs, so a dry-dropper rig is a way to cover your bases.  Hatches of caddis, yellow sallies, golden stones, and pmds are enticing fish to the surface.  We are seeing action sub-surface with rubber-legs, peach fuzz, prince nymphs, lightning bugs. The water is still moving, so stick to soft riffles, eddy lines, and any slower water you can find.  Happy fishing!

Cutthroat trout caught in Jackson Hole

August fishing is hot!

 

Another beautiful cutthroat from Fish Creek.

 

We’ve had lots of warm days this summer in Jackson Hole, and grasshopper fishing is in full swing.  The mornings have seen consistent PMD and caddis hatches.  As the day heats up and the hoppers start buzzing, it’s been good to switch to foam.  There have been a variety of patterns working, so don’t be afraid to switch it up.  The heat of the day can cause a bit of a lull in the fishing so get out early!

Spring Creek Cutthroat Trout

Summer, summer, summertime

Snake river lunker.

The Snake is clear (finally) and fishing! We have been seeing bigger fish as the flows stabilize and trout settle into their summer homes.  The chubby chernobyl has been eaten consistently, but the color they prefer depends on the day and the stretch…try out purple, black and tan, yellow…don’t be afraid to throw a dropper under that foam!  There have been some great caddis hatches lately and a size 12-16 elk hair is the hot ticket if you see bugs in the air.  Mayflies have also been bringing good fish to the surface!

The spring creeks continue to fish well.  The trout have been eating PMDs, drakes, and terrestrials.  If you are looking for a nice walk with great fish, look no further than our private water.

The water temps on the Green have been rising, which means less oxygen and more stress for the fish.  If you are determined to fish it, go early in the morning and hop off early to keep the fish healthy.

Happy trout hunting!

Jackson Hole fly fishing guide

It’s Getting Good…

Great catch on Fish Creek.

The rivers are starting to take shape in Jackson Hole and the fish are biting.  The trout on the Green have been eating big foam flies and drakes.  The worm is always a good bet if you want to fish a dry-dropper.  The spring creeks have seen the fish rise to similar flies…foam and mayflies are on the menu and fish are looking up.

A beautiful day and awesome brown trout on the Green river.

The Snake is probably a week or two from prime fishing, but it is dropping and clearing more every day.  Our guides have caught fish on dries, nymphs and streamers.  A Pat’s rubber leg/worm combo is a great way to start on cool mornings.  As temps warm up we are seeing mayflies and golden stones hatching.

Summer is here, let’s go fishing!

Cutthroat are eating dries on Fish Creek.

cutthroat trout in Jackson Hole

June Fishing in Jackson Hole

A nice rainbow from the Green.

We are still in high water season in Jackson Hole, but the fishing is starting to shape up as the water drops.  The Green has been a go-to spot for floating.  Our guides have been catching fish on dries, nymphs and streamers.  A few salmonflies have been spotted out.  The fish haven’t completely keyed into them yet, but they should soon with more bugs hatching.

Salmon fly season on the Green.

The spring creeks on Snake River Ranch are also clearing up.  The fish haven’t been giving it up too easily, but with a little work there are some beautiful trout to be had.  Like the Green, the trout have been eating a variety of dries, nymphs and streamers.  Wade fishing on our private water is beautiful this time of year!

Cutthroat trout caught on Fish Creek.