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
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. It is a full day to go to the green and back. 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.
June 2022 Fishing Report
/in Uncategorized /by Josh CasteenSnake 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
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. It is a full day to go to the green and back. 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.
Hopper Season on The Snake!
/in Fishing Reports /by Will MookWell its now well into the summer, and fishing in Jackson Hole has really turned on. Our guide staff has been running lots of trips on The Snake River, and returning to the shop with solid reports. These hot summer days are creating some really great hopper fishing on much of the river, from Grand Teton National Park, down into The Forest Service sections. In the mornings, while temperatures are still cool, our guides have been fishing dry-dropper rigs. For the first fly, medium-large sized, lighter, more natural colored hoppers are working best. From gold chubbies, to tan Morrish Hoppers, the fish seem to be fairly cued to the surface. While temperatures are still cool, tying on a small/medium sized mayfly nymph, such as a Duracell, Rainbow Warrior, or Lightning Bug has produced fish until the surface game turns on. Fish seem to moving to faster banks and riffles, so targeting the right type of trout water is key to having a productive day.
With such warm daytime highs, it’s really important to keep an eye on the water temperatures. A river thermometer is a necessary tool to cary with you this time of year. Trout require cold water with lots of oxygen to stay healthy. Once those water temperatures reach 67 degrees, these fish get stressed and catching them can cause them serious injury or death. It’s important while out fishing to use heavy tippet so that you can get fish in quickly, released, and put back safely to recuperate. Once temps reach 67, rods should be put down and we should wait till the evening when hopefully temperatures drop again. Remember, these cutties are native, wild fish. We need to respect and care for these fish so that we can continue to enjoy fishing for them year after year.
Warming water temperatures doesn’t mean we can’t fish though! We just have to be careful. Many of our guides are reporting catching more big fish than they’ve seen in the past several years. There is nothing better than watching a big ole yellow belly come up for a chubby, and that is what our beloved Snake River is known for! For questions or to book a trip, don’t hesitate to call our shop at 307-734-9684.
How We’re Handling Covid
/in Fishing Reports, Uncategorized /by Will MookAt 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.
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.
Skwala on the Snake
/in Fishing Reports /by Robert StrobelStoneflies are hatching on The Snake! Adult skwalas are out, and fish are looking up to the surface for food, but still primarily eating nymphs. If you’re heading out to the river in the next couple days, it’s worth trying a dry/dropper rig. We’ve found the best combo is a medium sized foam stonefly pattern on top, with a small rubber legs about 18 inches below. The fish are still hanging in the slower, deep water found in slow runs, tail-outs, and calm riffles. The sunshine and warm weather paired with above freezing temperatures at night has the river on the rise and turning off color. Yesterday, there was about 18 inches to 2 feet of visibility above the Wilson bridge. Get out there and enjoy the fishing before we head into full runoff for 8 weeks! Please fish responsibly and follow social distancing guidelines. If your spot is already taken, go find a new one!
A nice cutthroat caught on a skwala.
April Fishing
/in Fishing Reports, News /by Robert StrobelDuring these uncertain times, it is important to not only take care of our physical health, but
our mental health as well. Fly fishing can be a great way to get outside and spend time on the water, while following social distancing guidelines. The Snake River is fishing very well, as it
often does in early April. Warmer temperatures has bug life coming alive, and we’ve been
seeing a variety of hatches that the fish have been keying in on. Mayflies have been spotted, both blue wings and grey drakes. Small black stoneflies and the occasional skwala nymph are also out. Weather is a big factor this time of year…on warm days look for dries to hatch in the afternoon. Warmer weather will also bump river flows, so keep an eye on the gauges.
A beautiful cutthroat caught on the Snake river in April.
Keep in mind, certain sections of river are closed due to COVID-19. Access to the river in Grand
Teton National Park is not permitted. The other sections of river that remain open are seeing
increased traffic, and we want to remind people to try and space out as to not overwhelm the
river with too much pressure and protect our wonderful resource.
The Snake is on fire!
/in Fishing Reports /by Robert StrobelBig fish are hungry and the fishing on the Snake is awesome. Caddis have been doing well in the mornings and PMDs are working through out the day. As temps warm up you can look to terrestrials to attract nice fish. Hoppers, beetles, ants and crane flies will all bring trout to the surface. Riffles, banks and drop-offs are all fishing well, with the fast banks really firing in the afternoon. There seems to be a bit of an afternoon lull but your arm may need a break!
Snake river fine-spotted cutthroat.
August fishing is coming in hot!
/in Fishing Reports /by Robert StrobelThe Snake just keeps getting better…bigger fish are eating on the surface and the terrestrial bite is hot. In the mornings we have been seeing caddis and PMD hatches. There have been a variety of caddis coming off, so keep your eyes open for bugs and choose the fly accordingly. We are also seeing flying ants early, and the trout are tuned-in to the ant patterns. Starting in the late morning-early afternoon the grasshoppers have been active. Grasshoppers drifted along the banks and in riffles have seen great fish bites throughout the afternoon. Have fun, get out there!
Fishermen on the Snake, in the shadow of the Tetons.
The hoppers are out and the fish are biting!
/in Fishing Reports /by Robert StrobelA beautiful catch on Fish Creek.
The Snake continues to fish well as we enter the toasty days of summer. In the early part of the day fish have been rising to PMD and yellow sally hatches. Soft riffles have been the most consistent spots to catch the fish, and we have been seeing some bigger trout eating in faster water. Banks and drop-offs have been producing fish as well. The afternoons have been all about the grasshoppers, and a variety of foam patterns have been working. There has been a bit of a lull in the late afternoons, but that may change as more clouds roll in this week.
The spring creeks continue to fish really well…give us a call and we will get you out there!
The trout are hungry…get out there!
/in Uncategorized /by Robert StrobelThe 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.
/in Fishing Reports, Uncategorized /by Robert StrobelGFA guide with a nice cutthroat.
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!