The annual spring runoff has officially begun in earnest on the Snake River and it's tributaries
rendering them unfishable for the time being. Typically the runoff would last about 2 1/2 months
or so, but this year will definitely be different. With the water content of the snowpack at a
mere 40% of normal (down a full 5% in two days) it appears, as of this writing, that we will once
again be fishing the Snake River in Jackson Hole in June, perhaps even the first half of June.
Temperatures have been in the 60's and 70's and if this trend continues, the snowpack will go
fast.
If you were lucky enough to be in Jackson Hole last June when the Snake River cleared you'll
remember how great the fishing was. Look for more of the same this year, especially when
considering the condition and size of the trout during our just ended pre-runoff season.
If you are looking for places to fish during May, don't forget that the section of the Snake from
Jackson Lake Dam downstream to Pacific Creek (4 miles) will remain clear and fishable throughout
runoff. Typically this section is somewhat inconsistent if, as is typical, the releases from
Jackson Lake Dam increase. As of May 9th the release from the dam is at 2510 cfs with a projected
flow from the Bureau of Reclamation of around 3000 cfs for the entire summer. As this section of
river stabilizes (as it has the past three days) so will the fishing. It can be a very good
streamer fishery and the dry fly fishing will improve everyday.
Assuming the Bureau of Reclamation's projected 3000 cfs releases at Jackson Lake Dam hold true
(and we currently have no reason to believe they won't), the Snake River through Jackson Hole
will have plenty of water and consistent fishing. I'm afraid to say that many western locations
will not be so lucky this summer, as the 2000-01 winter drought was extensive in the western
states. If you are planning a fishing trip to Jackson Hole this summer, expect to have lots of
water to fish. However, you may want to consider coming a little earlier than normal.
Until next time...
Guy Turck
High Country Flies
Jackson
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