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Fishing the Snake River
While the Snake River as it flows through Jackson Hole is normally called "the Snake" it is more properly referred to as the South Fork of the Snake River, which headwaters deep in Yellowstone National Park. After flowing from Yellowstone, through Jackson Hole and the subsequent Snake River Canyon, it eventually enters Palisades Reservoir, which straddles the Wyoming/Idaho border.
Where it exits the Palisades Dam (located in Idaho) locals
refer to this section of river as the "South Fork". In
other words, though the
entire river is technically the South
Fork of the Snake River, the section upstream from Palisades
Reservoir is called the "Snake" and the section
downstream of Palisades Reservoir is called the "South
Fork". This distinction confuses many visitors, but serves
the purpose of differentiating the two sections of river which
are somewhat different in character. This article will describe
the section immediately upstream from Palisades Reservoir (i.e.
Alpine) on up
to the Jackson Lake Dam, located in Grand Teton National Park.
Throughout this entire course, as shown on the accompanying map, the Snake River is a relatively large and swift river. While wade fishing is certainly possible, and done all the time, the preferred method for fly fishing is via driftboats. Driftboats provide access to much more of the river than would otherwise be possible on foot.
As you may already know, the Snake River is home to a unique subspecies of cutthroat trout known as the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat Trout. This outstanding game fish is indigenous to the Snake River drainage and relies totally on natural reproduction. Having a wild trout fishery with indigenous trout is not something we take for granted and for which we are eternally grateful. If you would like to learn more about our native cutthroats, read our article entitled Cutthroat Country.
From a fly fisherman's perspective, one of the
cutthroats most endearing qualities is its fondness for the dry
fly. Large dry flies. Size 8 dries like Turck Tarantulas and
hoppers are commonly used. On occasion we'll even get to throw
size 6's and even 4's. And don't think you always have to dead
drift your fly. A little twitch or skating action can generate
explosive strikes. Like the cat that thinks it's a dog, our Snake
River Cutthroats think they're bass.
Trout season on the Snake opens on April 1 and extends through October 31. Runoff typically starts around early to mid-May and can last well into July and even August in high snowpack years. That gives us about a month and a half of fishing prior to the onset of runoff. Early season fishing can be very good, but is not as consistent as post-runoff fishing.
Once the river begins to clear in late July or early August, dry fly season begins in earnest. Wulffs, Stimulators, Humpys, Trudes, Power Ants, Jay-Dave's Hopper and Turck Tarantulas are standard fare. If streamers are your style try JJ Specials, Woolly Buggers, Muddlers, Zonkers, and Kiwi Muddlers. For nymphs, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tails, Yuk Bugs, and Prince's, with or without bead heads all work well.
While September is considered the single best
month for fishing the
Snake, oft times the good fishing will begin in August and extend
into October.
The Snake River is highly regarded as an excellent "beginners" river. Why? Using large dry flies that don't necessarily need to be dead drifted helps get beginning fly fishermen off to a good start without the demands of a more technical fishery. Beginners need action in order to learn and master the various fly fishing skills required for success, and on the Snake, that's exactly what they get.
One of the best things about trout fishing are the places it takes you, and as all good trout fishermen know, fishing is about more than merely catching fish. The Snake River, as it flows through Jackson Hole, is home to magnificent world-class mountain scenery. And with the Henry's Fork, the Green River, and Yellowstone National Park all within an hour or so drive we are centrally located in a fly fisherman's paradise.
More Information: Regional Overview -- Snake River
