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Skwala on the Snake

Stoneflies 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

During 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!

Big 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!

The 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!

A 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!

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.

Fall on the Snake

Snake river cutthroat trout.

We are having some gorgeous Fall days in Jackson Hole lately, and the fishing is great.  It has been warming up nicely mid-day and we’ve seen some bugs hatching.  Blue wings are out in force and the fish are looking for them.  Mahoganies and October caddis are also flying around and can get a look from eating fish.  Cooler mornings mean its a good plan to fish a dry dropper set up.  Smaller nymphs have been working well.  Try out the dry fly as bugs pop out and the day heats up!

Fly Fishing in Jackson Hole

July on the Fly

A 22 inch brown trout caught on the Green river.

The tributaries to the Snake are clearing well, and it is improving the fishing every day.  With increased clarity we are seeing more fish come to the surface.  Chubby chernobyl’s are getting some good looks, and are a great option with a dropper below it.  We have had success below the surface on Pat’s rubber legs, prince nymphs and worms.

Catching rainbows on the Green.

The Green is still seeing good drake hatches.  Water temps are warming a bit in the afternoon, so your best bet for big fish is earlier or later in the day.  If the fish aren’t rising to the drake try nymphing with a prince or hare’s ear, or swing a sparkle minnow.

A beautiful cutty on our private water

It’s been a mixed bag on the spring creeks this week.  Fish have been caught on a variety of mayflies, foam flies, mayfly nymphs and streamers.  The creek water is cold and the fish are happy!

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.

Fly fishing guide on Snake River

Fall is in the air…

Cutty on the Snake.

What a lovely time of year…the leaves are changing, tourist season has slowed, and the fish are still eating foam!  The Snake continues to fishing well.  Fishing with foam has been really consistent.  Lots of different patterns (hopper, ant, stonefly) and colors (the whole rainbow) have been working, depending on the stretch of water you are fishing.  We are also seeing some hatches through out the day, mostly mayflies and caddis.  PMD patterns are fishing well.  There have been a few Hecuba spotted and a larger mayfly pattern can also get eats.  The streamer fishing is picking up and cloud cover seems to really help get the fish moving.  Look to banks, structure and riffles for the most consistent bites.

Mayfly hatch on the Snake.