Snake River Fishing Report

Information
Jackson is the ideal hub for exploring the Snake River, a surging, full spirited river that provides a direct connection between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. The setting is breathtakingly beautiful – jagged peaks jutting into the sky while the river and its maze of channels and tributaries “snake” their way through the verdant, lush valley. Important to early explorers seeking passage west, the Pacific and Atlantic Creeks reach the Continental Divide at Two Ocean Pass near Jackson and part ways. The Atlantic Creek turns east, merges into the Yellowstone River and eventually flows into the Missouri while the Pacific Creek turns west and merges into the Snake, becoming the largest tributary of the Columbia, eventually reaching the ocean.


Known for its own unique trout, the Snake River finespotted cutthroat can only be found in the waters around the Jackson Hole valley. Considered by experts to have once been the only trout species in the Western interior, it has evolved into 14 different subspecies. To this day, its native range is limited to the upper Snake from Heart Lake to the Palisades Reservoir. Despite the finespotted’s hearty, undiscerning appetite and a seeming willingness to eat just about anything, experienced anglers view this fish as the most aggressive, hardest fighting trout to snare. As a result, when you catch one you earn major bragging rights. 

The most heavily fished areas of the Snake’s run through western Wyoming are the 35 miles in the park between Jackson Dam and the 17 remaining miles flowing through Jackson Hole. This section of the river is ranked as one of the best dry-fly streams in the West. Snake enthusiasts recommend floating the river although newcomers are advised to only go with a guide and veterans are reminded to exercise caution, as the water can be turbulent and unpredictable. Should you decide to wade, be mindful of swift currents along undercut banks and stick to quiet, shallow river sections and side channels. Great stream fishing can be found at Gros Ventre River and Flat Creek.
 
Additional Information
Tributaries:
The Salt River and Henrys Fork are among its tributaries
Source:
Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park
Mouth:
Columbia River
Length:
1,078 miles
Basin:
107,510 sq miles
Seasonal Conditions
Season
Hatches
SpringMidge, Baetis
SummerStonefly, Golden Stone, Little Yellow Stone, Caddis, Pale Morning Dun, Gray Drake, Terrestrials
FallCaddis, Baetis, Midge, Mahogany Dun, Terrestrials
Latest Guide Fishing Reports
Guide Reports
Water flows from Palisades Dam have dropped this week (18,000 to 14,000 cfs) and even though the South Fork is still running slightly off color, the fishing has improved quite a bit. ... moreThe upper reach in Swan Valley and the upper Canyon from Conant to the confluence with Burns Creek have seen the best fishing. Targeting riffles, eddies, seams and banks with double nymphs has been effective. BWOs have also been making an appearing in large numbers, and using mayfly nymph imitations works well. But large stonefly imitations and mysis imitations are also just as effective if not better on some days.
Fishing Water Report:
End Access Site:
Date:
Tuesday, 25 Apr, 2017
Fish Caught:
4-8 fish
We’ve had decent weather this week with temps in the 50s and warming into the 60s. Water temperatures have been reaching the upper 40s on the Lower Snake River below Moose Bridge. ... moreWe are also starting to see the first skwalas of the season, which makes it possible to fish with large attractors along banks, seams, inside turns of riffles, and the current margin of riffle pools. BWO imitations are also doing well most days in riffles and riffle pools along seams. The afternoon is the best time for these flies.

As far as nymphing goes, use either a double nymph rig or a dry/dropper rig. Large stonefly imitations and small mayfly and caddis imitations are working well. Aim for riffles, banks, bankside troughs, seams and confluence lines.

On good days, streamers are really effective, but overall the consistency is low. We’ve been finding success with intermediate sinking tips, 3ips and 6ips tips, and 5 to 7 feet of T-11. The best places for streamer action have been banks and structure, riffle and riffle pools, and seams. Moderate sized baitfish imitations and bigger, articulated streamers are effective.
Fishing Water Report:
Date:
Monday, 24 Apr, 2017
Fish Caught:
4-8 fish
Last week's warm up has provided some good fishing on the Snake River. It looks like there is more warmer weather ahead which should lead to some comfortable fishing. Winter black ... moreand brown stone files are starting to emerge. Midges and Baetis will be the vast majority of hatches for the remainder of winter. Streamers too!
Fishing Water Report:
Date:
Monday, 15 Feb, 2016
Fishing Trips
The Snake River is one of the most cherished streams in the world of fly fishing. As a permitted outfitter in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger Teton National Forest, Snake River ... moreAngler offers mores sections of the river than any other outfitter in the region. Snake River full day trips occur on eight sections of river within Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and parcels under the authority of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These are considered amongst the most beautiful sections of river on which we guide, with majestic views of the Teton Range, the Gros Ventre Range, and Snake River Canyon. Well over 95 percent of the trout on this river are native Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. The Snake River is considered to have the strongest population of Native Cutthroat left in the Rocky Mountain West.
Fishing Waters:
Destination:
Current Forecast
Water Flow
River Water Temperature
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Top Fly Fishing Rivers in the US
River is rated as one of the top trout fishing rivers inthe US by Bob Mallard, author of 25 Best Towns - Fly Fishing for Trout
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