Fishing Adventures

Fishing Adventures

Spencer Morton
May 18, 2018

Jackson Hole Fishing Report (05/18/2018):

Fishing Adventures, Fishing Tips, JHFFS News

Water Flows:

Snake River Canyon – 13,200 CFS

Pacific Creek – 1,760 CFS

Buffalo Fork – 2,380 CFS

Green River – 2,220 CFS

South Fork – 16,000 CFS

 

Upcoming Weather:

Saturday – 36 °/61 °, PM Thunderstorms, 80% chance of rain

Sunday –  36 °/65 °, Partly Cloudy, 20% chance of rain

Monday – 36 °/70 °, Partly Cloudy, 20% chance of rain

Tuesday – 38 °/71 °, Partly Cloudy, 20% chance of rain

Wednesday – 38 °/66 °, PM Thunderstorms, 40% chance of rain

Thursday – 39 °/66 °, Isolated Thunderstorms, 30% chance of rain

Friday – 38 °/69 °, Isolated Thunderstorms, 30% chance of rain

 

On the water:

Hatches – Midges, Caddis, Little Black Stone, Skwala

 

Fly Selection:

Wet – Zebra Midge, San Juan Worm, Small Pat’s Rubber Leg, Mop Fly

Dry – RS2 Midge, Birchell’s Hatching Midge, Skwala, Black and Brown Caddis

Streamer – Heavy Sculpzilla, Drunk and Disorderly, JJ Special, Kreelex

 

Guide Report:

We are well into our runoff season limiting the available water to fish.  If you are trying to stay close to town, the only place to find clean water on the Snake is from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek.  Fishing midge patterns or flashy streamers has been working well with some fish coming up for the occasional dry.  Heading south to the Green River will be everyone’s go to during this time and doing so can produce some of the biggest fish all year.  Small San Juan worms in a burgundy color have proven to be very effective during the prime window right when flows begin to drop and the river starts to clear.

Spencer Morton
April 17, 2018

Jackson Hole Fishing Report (04/17/18)

Fishing Adventures, Fishing Tips, JHFFS News

Water Flows:

Snake River Canyon –  4,350 CFS

Pacific Creek –  146 CFS

Buffalo Fork –  263 CFS

Green River @ Warren Bridge – 381 CFS

South Fork Nr Irwin –  18,800 CFS

 

Upcoming Weather:

Wednesday 04/18/18 – 25°/46°, Mostly Sunny, 10% chance of rain

Thursday 04/19/18 – 30°/52°, Mostly Cloudy, 0% chance of rain

Friday 04/20/18 – 31°/59°, Sunny, 0% chance of rain

Saturday 04/21/18 – 32°/57°, Sunny, 0% chance of rain

Sunday 04/22/18 – 35°/56°, Sunny, 0% chance of rain

Monday 04/23/18 – 35°/57°, Cloudy, 20% chance of rain

 

On the Water:

Hatches – Midge, BWO Baetis, Skwala, Little Black Stone

 

Fly Selection:

Wet – Zebra Midge, Higa’s S.O.S, Flash Back Baetis,  Small Pat’s Rubber Leg

Dry – RS2 Midge, Birchell’s Hatching Midge, Griffith’s Gnat, BWO Emerger, Skwala, Black Caddis

Streamer – Heavy Sculpzilla, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow, JJ Special

 

Guide Report:

Water flows are changing rapidly and set to be increased for run off preparation as well as a gate exercise that will take place at the end of this month.  Fishing conditions are becoming more variable as more new water begins to change color and river flows continue to rise.  Getting away from town may be the best option with both the Henry’s Fork and Green River a short drive away.  For those interested in staying close to town, streamers have been finding success in deep water.  Throwing your streamer of choice on sink tip can offer plenty of reward, just be sure to get them low.  If you do find some clear water with rising fish, your best bet is still to go with small emerging baetis and midge patterns.  However, little black stones have been popping up along certain river banks which may justify throwing a small black caddis.  Additionally, there is always the chance of finding some skwala action if the water your fishing can make its way above that 42° mark.

Spencer Morton
April 4, 2018

Jackson Hole Fishing Report (04/04/18)

Fishing Adventures, Fishing Tips, JHFFS News

Water Flows:

Snake River Canyon – 1,980 CFS

Pacific Creek – 72 CFS

Buffalo Fork – 165 CFS

Green River – Ice

South Fork – 10,100 CFS

 

Upcoming Weather:

Wednesday – 45°, Overcast, 40% chance of rain and snow, 17mph SSW wind

Thursday – 45°, Mostly Cloudy, 60% chance of rain, 9mph S wind

Friday – 45°, Overcast, 70% chance of rain and snow, 6mph SSE wind

Saturday – 44°, Overcast, 90% chance of rain, 10mph SW wind

Sunday – 38°, Overcast, 80% chance of rain and snow, 12mph SW wind

Monday – 44°, Partly Cloudy, 20% chance of rain and snow, 7mph SSE wind

Tuesday – 50°, Mostly Cloudy, 20% chance of rain, 10mph SSW wind

 

On the Water:

Hatches – Midge, Baetis, Skwala

 

Fly Selection:

Wet – Zebra Midge, Higa’s S.O.S, Flash Back Baetis,  Pat’s Rubber Leg,

Dry – RS2 Midge, Birchell’s Hatching Midge, Griffith’s Gnat, Blue Wing Olive

 

Guide Report:

If you can brave the cold you might be surprised by what you find.  Our rivers offer some great fishing this time of year.  Those willing to throw on some extra layers to hit the water have been finding plenty of success with simple nymph rigs such as zebra midges paired with a small pat’s rubber leg.  Find yourself lucky enough to come across some rising fish in the afternoon and small midge patterns that you can barely see will be your best friend.  BUT… It’s always worth trying to stand out from the thousands of identical midges the fish are picking from.  Perhaps trying a couple sizes larger is all your willing to risk but you may find sending a BWO is a great way to get the attention of greedier fish.

Spencer Morton
March 27, 2018

Seasons of Fly Fishing in Jackson Hole

Tags: , , Fishing Adventures, Fishing Tips

July and August are not the only hot fishing months on the Upper Snake River in Jackson Hole.  If you want to avoid some crowds and get an early start to your fishing season the spring can provide the best fishing of the year.  A lot of the cutthroat will migrate into smaller tributaries for the summer months.  The average size of cutthroat is biggest in the spring and again in the fall when the fish move back to the main stem of the Snake.  Don’t rule out a spring or fall fishing trip on the Snake.

An abundant midge hatch in early March takes place as cutthroat rise to get in the action.  Video by Spencer Morton.

Time of Year-We are fortunate to have an abundance of fishing options from March to early November.  Check out some highlights from each Season below.

  1. Late winter/Spring (February-May)Typically, the early Spring months provide cold mornings and evenings with some fantastic fishing in the warmer parts of the day. Starting around March, the trout are hungry after a long cold winter and are feeding aggressively with the first abundant bug hatches of the season (as seen in the video.)  Guests will have opportunities to nymph and throw dry flies in the spring.  With that said if we get a rare warm day in January or February, we have had successful wade trips in those winter months.  All of our bookings prior to April are weather dependent and we will happily reschedule your trip if weather does not cooperate.  One of the best times of year to fish the snake is the window between when the temps bump above 40 and before runoff starts.  The river will raise fast as the snow melts creating good opportunities to try some different water other than the upper Snake River.  Last year the river increased flows drastically around the beginning of June, more regularly runoff will start up in May.
  2. Early Summer(June-July) Depending on the snow pack from the winter this time of year usually provides peak flows on the Snake River.  When runoff is happening on the Snake our guides get excited about exploring still water, walk wade trips on smaller tributaries and floating options on other rivers.  This time of year, produced some of our most successful trips on Lewis Lake, wading the Firehole River, floating the Green River and many more.  This is the perfect time to book a walk wade trip to the Blackrock ranger district and explore some backcountry fishing options.
  3. Late Summer(August-September)- The Snake River really starts to come alive in Late summer, the river flows level out and the gin clear water returns.  With tons of different bugs hatching including various Mayflies, Caddis, and Stoneflies.  This is when anglers can throw big dry fly and terrestrial patterns and watch incredible top water eats.   The cutthroat trout aggressively take advantage of the wide variety of food in the river and do not hold back from aggressively attacking big flies on the surface.  The average size of the cutthroat will start to increase as some bigger fish move away from smaller tributaries and into the main stem of the Snake River.
  4. Fall(September-November) From mid-September to early November the snake shows its true colors as one of the best fall trout fisheries in the world.  The river continues to drop until it hits “winter flows” usually in October where it will stay until spring.  The leaves start to change colors providing incredible views of the surrounding area.  Big fish are around and preparing themselves for winter by feeding as much as possible.  This time of year, still provides great dry fly fishing and hatches in the warmer parts of the day.  The river begins to thin out again and solitude returns, the upper snake in the fall is second to none.
Spencer Morton
January 30, 2018

What type of Fly Fishing School should I book?

Tags: , Fishing Adventures

Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School provides a wide variety of schools to ensure the guests can achieve what they hoped to out of their experience.

 

1. Walk Wade Fly Fishing Schools

Walk Wade Fly Fishing SchoolWalking around the river bottom and fishing by foot provides a more hands on learning experience. The guest will work a little bit harder but also have the incredible experience of wading in flowing water. While walking in the river is it is easy to turn over rocks and see different aquatic insects, and you have the ability to give yourself plenty of space to work on casting techniques. Mobility is key with the walk wade, if you have younger or older guests in the group think about if moving around on uneven terrain would be enjoyable for them.  Walk Wade Schools will have access to our beautiful private School House on the Snake.

2. Floating Fly Fishing Schools

Fly-Fishing-Jackson-Wyoming-LearnonriverAll of our floating schools can take up to 6 guests either on a raft with a fishing frame or a comfortable oversized drift boat. The floating schools are geared more towards beginners or guests wanting to improve upon their skills and knowledge. Typically, the guide will pull off for instructing sessions on casting and entomology, and give guests the chance to fish from both the bank and boat. While floating two people can fish off the boat providing unique learning opportunities for the other guests spectating, we have found this is a great family environment.

3. Private Drift Boat Fly Fishing Schools

Drift Boat Fly Fishing SchoolA private drift boat can fit one to three guests and one guide. The guide will row you down the river, giving the guests seemingly endless new water to cast at. Typically, our experienced guests enjoy this option because it lets you get the most casts in and focuses on fishing. All experience levels will enjoy this trip of a lifetime. A half day float covers 7 miles of water and typically lasts 4-5 hours. Full day trips cover 13 miles and take 6-8 hours.  Full day enables guests to access water in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem allowing us to access the best fishing conditions available.

3. Private vs. Public Schools

Private schools with us ensure a closed group, public schools are open to the public and anyone can join in. If you are visiting the area with family or friends and would appreciate a private experience this is a great fit. Or if you want to ensure a full day of one-on-one guide instruction to help you get the most of your experience, this for you!  If you looking for a more affordable experience public schools can provide a fantastic group setting.

Ready to Book?  Book now online or give us a call so we can help find the right type of fly fishing school.

[email protected]

(307)-699-3440