The Walt Report - 050115.1

For all of those attending this year's Western Regional Meeting - welcome!

I hope you brought some cookies to go with all of the chocolate milk in our rivers currently! You never know what the beginning of May will bring for runoff conditions and with this years warm Spring in the Rockies, we've got an early start to runoff on all local rivers. There are still fishing opportunities locally though, you just might need to wander a bit...

The best place to fish on the Snake River currently is below Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek.  This is about 5 miles of clear water and holds Cutthroat, Browns, and a few Lake trout. We're still at Winter flows of 550 cfs, so wading is an option. Nymphs and streamers are a good way to go in this cold water, until the Midge and BWO hatches begin in the afternoon. Nymph rigs consisting of a #8-10 Rubberlegs as a point fly and #14-18 Flashback PT are a good choice here. #18 Red Zebra Midges are also a good bet. Concentrate efforts on riffles and back eddies. There are still a few Skwalas around so skating your favorite Stonely pattern can be fun too. Try a #18 BWO Film Critic or #16-18 Parachute Adams if you see Cutthroat keying in on the surface.

Don't be afraid to look on the Jackson Lake side of the Dam for Lake trout in the relatively shallow water near the outlet.  A sink-tip or full sinking line will help here as the water is 10-20' deep.  I like to fish Clousers and Black Leeches with a slow strip for these hungry trout.

Flat Creek south of Jackson opens today! Water should be clear through the weekend and access is good from Hwy 89 South.  This is skinny water with a few deeper holes/runs. All the same bugs - Skwalas, Midges, BWO's - and also some Caddis are are present here.  Nymph the deeper holes in the morning with a Stonefly/Caddis rig and look for a few risers in the afternoon/evenings.  This is really the only clear water close to town, so expect some company.

The South Fork of the Snake in Idaho is up to 12,300 cfs out of Palisades Dam and flows have been steady for over a week now. The Rainbows in this river are in spawn mode, especially on the Upper reaches down to Conant. IDF&G encourages rainbow trout removal to help out the native Cutthroat population.  They even go so far as to tag certain Rainbows with monetary rewards up to $1000! Same bugs are on the menu - Skwalas, Midges, BWO's, Caddis - and nymphing is the main game here in the afternoons. Don't forget eggs and worms if you're hunting the 'Bows...

The Green River above Warren Bridge should still be an option and there is plenty of access in the campgrounds.  This is cold water and nymphs/streamers are the definitely the game to play.  Same fare and throw in some more worms as your trailer since these trout really dig it!

The Henry's Fork is worth the drive if you have time. Lots of Caddis are flying and the Stonefly nymphs are staging in the shallows for what should be an earlier Salmonfly hatch this year. March Browns and BWO's are present as well in this bug factory! Below Warm River and above the Fall River confluence is the best stretch to be fishing this time of year.

There are definitely fishing options to be found! Enjoy our beautiful Spring weather and take a drive!

Jason Balogh
Fish the Fly Guide Service and Travel
307-690-1139
http://www.fishthefly.com/

Fish The Fly's Recommended Gear For The Snake River
http://www.proguidedirect.com/jason-balogh/gearlist/snake-river.html

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." - John Muir