03-21-2004, 08:00 PM
Jackson Hole Fishing Report March 16, 2004
Snake River, South Fork & Henry's Fork
As of January 1, 2004 Wyoming Game and Fish has opened the Snake River proper to catch and release fishing. Early season fishing in the Yellowstone area is always tricky and very weather dependent. Some days it can be very good while other days non-existent. But if you are willing to do a little traveling there will always be fishing to be had.
Right in the valley, other than the Snake River, there are also three tributaries to the Snake that remain open all year. They are the Hoback, Greys, and Salt Rivers. Of the three, the Salt is traditionally the better early season fishery. All three rivers are south of Jackson, and lie between 15 to 30 miles away from town. Most likely the Snake and the Salt River will fish the best.
Another option is to cross Teton Pass and fish the Snake River and Henry's Fork in Idaho. These will be about a 1 and 2 hour drive respectively. Though the lower section of the South Fork (or Snake River in Idaho, for some reason when the Snake crosses over into Idaho they need to call it the South Fork) has had year around fishing for many years, Idaho Fish and Game has also opened the upper sections for the 2004 season.
Combine the South Fork with the Henry's Fork (lower sections of it remain open to fishing all year) and with the right weather conditions you can have some very good fishing as well. Obviously, like I have mentioned, we are talking winter/spring fishing and for these locations to fish well the conditions have to be right. But by this time of year (March) some part of the day will always fish.
[size 3]Fly patterns that should be of concern will be mostly midge related, be it wet or dry. Have them stocked in sizes 16 - 24's. For fishing under the surface, Dark (black and gray) Midge Pupa and Larva patterns normally work well. An exception, not to be overlooked, includes red, blood, and brassie midge patterns. Small mayfly nymph imitations and caddis larva that cross over into the midge world can be good producing patterns as well.[/size]
[size 3]There can be spectacular dry-fly fishing on all of these waters but again you'll need the right weather. For dries it will be mostly midge imitations, again in black and gray, but we also have a little black stonefly that hatches in these colder months and is, at times, extremely important. You will sometimes hear them referred to as Snowflies and many people mistake them for midges. They are quite small (size 18) with a black body and very light colored wings. When the fish key in on them, they can be very selective.[/size]
[size 3]BWO’s (Blue Wing Olives), aka Baetis will be showing up shortly and we have already heard a few reports of them over on the Henry’s Fork. So you should be stocked with dries and nymph imitations.[/size]
[size 3]Some days can find streamers and larger stonefly nymph patterns to be effective and as weather conditions loosen up and become milder they will become more important. Stonefly nymphs can be valuable because we have a good population of Skwala stoneflies and though they are not hatching yet the nymphs can be very active below the surface. As we move into April the adult Skwalas will start to show. For those of you that are not familiar with this insect, Golden Stonefly imitations (nymphs and dries) in sizes 8—12 can work quite well.[/size]
[size 3]We have had a pretty good snow pack this year and snow levels along the banks can make travel difficult. It's not a bad idea to plan on using snowshoes or cross country skis. Post-holing through three feet of snow, even a short distant, is exhausting, to say the least.[/size]
[size 3]As of April 1st many of our boat launches should be plowed and this will open things up considerably. Speaking of snow pack we are at 92% as I write this update. Though after a long winter here in Jackson the last thing a local wants to see is a cold wet spring, I’m afraid that’s what we need again this year. The way winter has started to break up has been better than the last 4 or 5 years and it seems a lot of moisture is going back into the ground.[/size]
[size 3] .[/size]hope this helps
[signature]
Snake River, South Fork & Henry's Fork
As of January 1, 2004 Wyoming Game and Fish has opened the Snake River proper to catch and release fishing. Early season fishing in the Yellowstone area is always tricky and very weather dependent. Some days it can be very good while other days non-existent. But if you are willing to do a little traveling there will always be fishing to be had.
Right in the valley, other than the Snake River, there are also three tributaries to the Snake that remain open all year. They are the Hoback, Greys, and Salt Rivers. Of the three, the Salt is traditionally the better early season fishery. All three rivers are south of Jackson, and lie between 15 to 30 miles away from town. Most likely the Snake and the Salt River will fish the best.
Another option is to cross Teton Pass and fish the Snake River and Henry's Fork in Idaho. These will be about a 1 and 2 hour drive respectively. Though the lower section of the South Fork (or Snake River in Idaho, for some reason when the Snake crosses over into Idaho they need to call it the South Fork) has had year around fishing for many years, Idaho Fish and Game has also opened the upper sections for the 2004 season.
Combine the South Fork with the Henry's Fork (lower sections of it remain open to fishing all year) and with the right weather conditions you can have some very good fishing as well. Obviously, like I have mentioned, we are talking winter/spring fishing and for these locations to fish well the conditions have to be right. But by this time of year (March) some part of the day will always fish.
[size 3]Fly patterns that should be of concern will be mostly midge related, be it wet or dry. Have them stocked in sizes 16 - 24's. For fishing under the surface, Dark (black and gray) Midge Pupa and Larva patterns normally work well. An exception, not to be overlooked, includes red, blood, and brassie midge patterns. Small mayfly nymph imitations and caddis larva that cross over into the midge world can be good producing patterns as well.[/size]
[size 3]There can be spectacular dry-fly fishing on all of these waters but again you'll need the right weather. For dries it will be mostly midge imitations, again in black and gray, but we also have a little black stonefly that hatches in these colder months and is, at times, extremely important. You will sometimes hear them referred to as Snowflies and many people mistake them for midges. They are quite small (size 18) with a black body and very light colored wings. When the fish key in on them, they can be very selective.[/size]
[size 3]BWO’s (Blue Wing Olives), aka Baetis will be showing up shortly and we have already heard a few reports of them over on the Henry’s Fork. So you should be stocked with dries and nymph imitations.[/size]
[size 3]Some days can find streamers and larger stonefly nymph patterns to be effective and as weather conditions loosen up and become milder they will become more important. Stonefly nymphs can be valuable because we have a good population of Skwala stoneflies and though they are not hatching yet the nymphs can be very active below the surface. As we move into April the adult Skwalas will start to show. For those of you that are not familiar with this insect, Golden Stonefly imitations (nymphs and dries) in sizes 8—12 can work quite well.[/size]
[size 3]We have had a pretty good snow pack this year and snow levels along the banks can make travel difficult. It's not a bad idea to plan on using snowshoes or cross country skis. Post-holing through three feet of snow, even a short distant, is exhausting, to say the least.[/size]
[size 3]As of April 1st many of our boat launches should be plowed and this will open things up considerably. Speaking of snow pack we are at 92% as I write this update. Though after a long winter here in Jackson the last thing a local wants to see is a cold wet spring, I’m afraid that’s what we need again this year. The way winter has started to break up has been better than the last 4 or 5 years and it seems a lot of moisture is going back into the ground.[/size]
[size 3] .[/size]hope this helps
[signature]