The source of the mighty Snake River is in Yellowstone National
Park, from there it flows past Flagg Ranch south through the John D. Rockefeller,
Jr.
Memorial Parkway, and into postcard perfect Jackson Lake in Grand Teton
National
Park. Below Jackson Lake Dam, the Snake River meanders through Grand
Teton National Park. Above the river to the west, the Grand Teton mountains
rise
suddenly,
with no foothills to soften their dramatic rise to the sky. These are
mountains the way we always expect mountains to look, The snowcapped, Grand
Tetons
are America's quintessential mountain range, rearing up with sawtooth
like exaggeration crowned by the 13,770-foot Grand Teton.
The abundant wildlife and lush landscape of the upper Snake River Valley, which
is Jackson Hole, leaves a lasting impression in the mind of any visitor to
Grand Teton National Park. Approximately 50 miles of the 1056-mile long Snake
River winds though Grand Teton National Park. Areas around Snake River are
a great place to spot wildlife, such as Moose, Bison, Elk, Beavers, Otters,
Bald Eagles, and Ospreys, and there is hardly a better way to experience Grand
Teton Park than floating or standing knee deep in one of it's treasures.
Canoers on Snake River, Grand Teton Mountains, Grand Teton National
Park
The Snake River is a complex river to float. The beauty and lack
of whitewater often lulls boaters into complacency. A tangle of channels and
logjams
present difficulties and dangers and accidents occur often so use caution whenever
you float.
Information on flow rates and additional caution areas are posted at river landings, visitor centers, the Rockefeller Parkway Ranger Station and the Buffalo Fork Ranger Station. Reports are updated whenever significant changes in river conditions occur. Even boaters that frequently float the Snake should check conditions before every trip, as the river can change overnight. River flow varies greatly throughout the summer as it is managed for irrigation. Submerged boulders can cause standing waves up to 3 feet high.
The Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek Snake River section is braided channel makes
route-finding a challenge. After the Snake River winds through the Rockefeller
Parkway for
6 miles, it flows into Jackson Lake.
Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek section provides scenic views,
calm water and the few obstructions. This is a beautiful stretch of river well
suited for touring kayaks, canoes, rafts and drift boats and is popular with
all of the above. The Snake River meanders out of Jackson Lake, framed by the
towering Grand Tetons. Many postcard photos have been taken of this section
and the
moose you will probably see there. Oxbow Bend, just south of Jackson Lake Dam,
presents exciting wildlife watching opportunities.
Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar section of the Snake is more difficult than the
Pacific Creek section; this stretch of river has more drop which increases
the current.
Braided
channels make route finding challenging and requires more skill. This is an
incredibly scenic stretch of the Snake River with numerous opportunities to
see wildlife and view or photograph the Cathadreal Group view of the Tetons.
Deadman's Bar to Moose Landing is the most difficult section of the Snake River
in the park, most river accidents occur on this section The here the Snake
drops more
steeply, with faster flows than in other sections south of Pacific Creek,
giving boaters very little time to maneuver. Complex braiding obscures the
main channel. Strong current can sweep boaters into side channels blocked
by logjams. This is my favorite section of the upper Snake River to fish.
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 we highly encourage catch and release fishing to protect this valuable resource.
One of the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat most endearing qualities is its fondness for feeding on top sipping mayflies flies or attacking stoneflies, drakes and hoppers. Large dry flies like size 8 Turck Tarantulas, Royal Wulffs, Club Sandwiches, and hoppers are all popular and good choices. Size 6 and even 4 stone fly patterns sometimes are also effective.
The Snake River is a large and swift river and can be dangerous. While wade fishing is certainly possible, and done all the time, the preferred method for fly-fishing is with a driftboat or raft. Canoes, rafts, and driftboats provide access to much more of the river than would otherwise be possible on foot but if you are in a canoe make sure you know what you are doing.
The key to fishing the banks of this river
while floating is getting your fly as tight to the bank as possible and allowing
it
to drift just inches
form the bank in most spots unless there is no current there. When fishing
from a gravel bar it’s possible to hook and land a several fish in
a row. These spots often provide good mayfly action. Whenever you see an
obstruction like a root system of a fallen tree in the river drift your
fly close to it as those are good fish lies and often provide large fish.
Trout season on the Snake River 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 allows about a month and a half of fishing
prior to spring runoff. Early season fishing can be very good, but is not as
consistent and productive as the fishing after spring runoff. Streamers are
good choice this time of year. September is considered the best month for fishing
the Snake but often times the good fishing will begin in August and last till
the season ends in October.
You will find sporadic hatches of stoneflies from April through September, midges all year round. Summer brings hatches of evening caddis and mayflies usually around midday.
Once the river begins to clear in late July or early August, dry fly season begins in earnest. Wulffs, Stimulators, Humpys, Trudes, Royal Coachmans, Power Ants, Jay-Dave's Hopper and Turck Tarantulas are standard fare. Good streamers to use are JJ Specials, Woolly Buggers, Muddlers, Zonkers, Double Bunnies and Kiwi Muddlers. For nymphs, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tails, Anderson's Golden Stone's, Halfbacks, Yuk Bugs, and Prince's Nymphs.
Mad
River Scenic Float Trips • (Jackson
Hole) A pleasant tour enabling
you to relax and enjoy the scenery of Jackson Hole while our informative
guides
point
out landmarks & wildlife. We offer morning and afternoon
trips down the southern section of the Snake River. Also
available is our popular combination scenic trip and whitewater
adventure for an amazing day
on the river.
Teton
Expeditions • (Jackson
Hole) For
over 35 years Teton Expeditions has shared
our knowledge of the river with the visitors
of Jackson Hole. Our commitment to quality
and customer satisfaction is unsurpassed.
Please join us for an adventure that you will
remember for a lifetime.
A Few Thoughts On Fishing
"But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon
all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul, and memories. And
the sounds of the Big Black Foot River, and a four count rhythm, and the
hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and
a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and
runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless
raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters."
Sound-bite from a River Runs Through it.
The Yellowstone Teton Region fly-fishing is blessed with
a plethora of blue ribbon trout waters that host prolific hatches of Mayflies,
Caddis Flies and Stone Flies. Dozens of rivers and hundreds of lakes and
streams, all world-class fisheries that attract anglers from around the world.
The Henry’s Fork, the Snake, the Madison, and the Yellowstone Rivers have
been elevated to legendary status by the movies made about them and the books
and articles that have been written about them.
If you believe what you read, fly-fishing requires the
touch of a surgeon and the spirit of a Zen master. Well, it might help but
it certainly isn’t required around here. Forget about what you’ve heard about
fly-fishing in the past, if you really want to fly-fish all you need are
the right tools, proper technique, and a positive attitude. With these essential
elements, you can begin to enjoy the sport of fly-fishing in no time.
Some time spent with a guide can enhance your skills exponentially in a very short time, as they are all trained to be teachers. A day discovering the best techniques for fly-fishing with a guide on one of our regional rivers or legendary spring creeks gives you the foundation for many years of productive fly-fishing enjoyment of the future. Many regional guides have spent a lifetime fly-fishing the rivers and streams of Yellowstone Teton Region. Their instruction of the best flies, how to read the water, presentation, and all aspects of fishing the Yellowstone region can greatly enhance your fly-fishing experience.
For those of you who already know how to fly-fish, or
do not want to hire a fly-fishing guide, all you need is a map, the proper
seasonal fly selection, and some current fly-fishing advice, all which can
be found for the price of a handful of flies at a local fly shop.
Most rental shops of the Yellowstone Teton region have drift boats rafts and float tubes for rent for those of you that wish to escape the confines of the bank of your river, lake, or stream, because as we all know, the big one is in the eddy on the far side of the river.
Spin-cast fishing is popular around the area also and
is a very productive way to wet a line. Although spin fishing doesn’t require
the finesse and learning curve of fly-fishing, a guided trip with a guide
that knows spin-fishing can really improve our catch rate. Remember to keep
in mind to de-barb your hooks to improve your catches chance of survival
upon release. We also encourage lure fisherman to cut their treble hooks
down to a single hook.
The Snake River Drainage 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 we highly encourage catch and release fishing to protect this
valuable resource.
The Yellowstone Cutthroat, as the name implies, are native to the Yellowstone River drainage of southwest and south-central Montana and northwest Wyoming. In general, The relation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout to Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout is problematic. Early genetic analyses could not distinguish these subspecies, but recent attempts have been more successful.
Whether you are fishing for one of the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat our Yellowstone Cutthroat you will find their most endearing qualities is their fondness for feeding on top sipping mayflies flies or attacking stoneflies, drakes, and hoppers. Large dry flies like size eight Turck Tarantulas, Royal Wulffs, Club Sandwiches, and hoppers are all popular and good choices. Size six and even four stone fly patterns sometimes are also effective.
Rainbow and Brown Trout can be found throughout the area as well a few sub-species of cutthroat trout, and some of our lakes are home to Kokanee Salmon.
Many of our lakes are gifted with giant Lake Trout, but you usually need to be an expert or lucky to get one in the 20 to 50 pound category. Most are taken by trolling with spoons or minnow-like plugs attached to wire-line rigs or downriggers. They can also be taken by bottom fishing with whole or cut fish. In summer they often move to depths of 50 to 100 feet, but in spring and fall you can find them at depths of 20 feet or less. When ice fishing you can catch Lake Trout in hardly any water at all.
Many of our lakes are put and take fisheries and are planted by the Idaho, Montana or Wyoming Game and Fish, but most of our rivers and streams are wild trout fisheries and do not receive planted fish.
Our wild trout fisheries, due to the law of survival of
the fittest, produce a hardier, smarter game fish, and is a resource worthy
of protection. Catch and release although not mandatory on many waters is
often the practice. Many of the fish of the region are caught and released
40 times per year and if everyone kept their fish there wouldn’t be any here
except inferior hatchery fish.
I used to keep my big ones because they were such trophies, and I used to keep some to eat until I realized that I can buy a trout for two dollars in the store and that fish in the river provides has a much greater value than two dollars as a recreational resource.
Events
Chuck Yeager & Guide
Mike Lawson - One Fly Fishing Contest
Jackson
Hole One Fly Fishing Contest • Each year
in September, flyfisherman from around the world gather in Jackson
Hole Wyoming to participate in one of fly fishing's most unique events.
It
is a weekend filled with fun, challenges, adventures and of course,
the famous
Snake River Cutthroat trout.
Give
the Cutt-slam a try. • If you want to see some breathtaking
country, do a little camping and accomplish something that only around
300 people have done, you might
want to give Wyoming’s Cutt-Slam program a try. This year
marks the 10th anniversary of the program that recognizes anglers for
catching Wyoming’s four subspecies of cutthroats in their native
range. Back in the mid-90s, Wyoming fisheries coordinator, the late Ron
Remmick, had an idea to try to bring more public awareness to Wyoming’s
cutthroat trout and the management efforts benefitting these fish. The
Cutt-Slam was hatched and a program was developed to recognize anglers
for making the effort to catch the Snake River, Bonneville, Colorado
River and Yellowstone cutthroat subspecies.
Stories
Fly-fishers
go crazy saving flies - by D Dave Strege
One fly-fisher stripped his clothes off and swam naked into the river
to retrieve his fly that got snagged. Another stood on the shoulders
of the
guide and used pruning shears to cut down the branch where his fly was
lodged. A lucky one hooked a big fish that snapped his line, losing fish
and fly, only to wait five minutes before the fly somehow dislodged from
the trout's
mouth and popped to the surface. He netted it — the fly, that is.
What
would lead a fly-fisher to go to such extremes to save a fly caught
in a tree limb or a log in the riverh.................More
Teton Region Fishing Outfitters
Reel
Deal Anglers • (Jackson Hole) Reel Deal Anglers is Jackson
Hole’s
Premier fishing guide service, don’t wait in a fly-fishing shop (we
provide all the flies), we pick you up and take you right to the river.
We guide
on the Snake River, Green
River, Henry’s Fork River, South Fork River, Madison River, New Fork
River, Salt River, Gros Ventre River and the Teton River as well as numerous
backcountry streams, popular spring creeks, and exclusive private water
opportunities, so we can put you on the hottest water available at any
given time. Our guides are superb and are experts on the water they specialize
in. With Reel Deal Anglers, you’ll float and wade fish on beautiful
rivers, encounter surprised wildlife, catch native trout while entertaining
chance encounters with elk, moose, bison osprey and bald eagles fishing
the same waters as you.
Henrys Fork Anglers • (Island
Park) Henry's Fork Anglers is located on the banks of the Henry's
Fork of the Snake River in Last Chance, Idaho. The Henry's Fork is
one of the most famous and diverse fly fishing rivers in the world,
with plenty to offer the advanced fly fisher as well as the beginner.
Its prolific aquatic insect hatches draw fly fishers from around
the globe to test their skills against highly selective rainbow trout.
Fisheries Conservation Organizations
Curt Gowdy & Lee Wulff fishing the One Fly Fishing Contest
Jackson
Hole One Fly Capital Foundation • The
Jackson Hole One Fly Capital Foundation (One Fly) and the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) established a new partnership in 2003
to leverage both organizations’ funding and interest in cold
water fisheries conservation, particularly in the tributaries and mainstem
Snake and Yellowstone
Basins. The One Fly and NFWF have a long history in fisheries conservation
throughout the greater Snake River and Yellowstone region.
Trout Unlimited • Trout
Unlimited’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s
trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. Trout
Unlimited accomplishes this mission
on local, state and national levels with an extensive and dedicated volunteer
network. TU’s national office,
based just outside of Washington, D.C., and its regional offices employ
professionals who testify before Congress, publish a quarterly magazine,
intervene in federal legal proceedings, and work with the organization’s
125,000 volunteers in 500 chapters nationwide to keep them active and involved
in conservation issues.
Federation of Fly Fishers •The
Federation of Fly Fishers, an international service organization dedicated
to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing
through Conservation
and Education. The FFF and its Councils are the only organized advocate
for fly fishers on the national and regional level. By joining you will
have the opportunity to contribute, with your membership and your voice,
to fishery conservation and restoration for all fish in all waters
Greater Yellowstone Region White
Water Rafting
Jackson Hole, Star Valley whitewater trips begin in the deepest section of the Wyoming's Snake River Canyon. The journey takes you down eight miles of class three whitewater including classic rapids such as California Curler, Rope Rapid, Lunch Counter, and Big Kahuna. Sheep Gulch is the end of our trip, just two miles upstream from the small community of Alpine, Wyoming.
The scenery of Snake River Canyon where the class three whitewater makes its home is a gorgeous, heavily treed canyon with steep rock faces rising above the tumult of the raging whitewater below.
Around Northwestern Yellowstone there is some whitewater action on the Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers and outside of Cody there is some whitewater trips on the Shoshone River.
There are many whitewater outfitters in the towns of Jackson, West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Big Sky and Cody if you choose to leave the rowing to the experts (a wise decision). For those of you that are do it yourselfers do your homework, know how to read water and cinch tight all live preservers on your passengers, the regions class 3 whitewater is reasonably safe for the cautious.
Many of the regions whitewater enthusiasts combine their whitewater adventure with a fishing adventure as well. The Rivers of the Greater Yellowstone Region has superb trout fishing and the whitewater sections are one of the better sections because many boat fishermen are scarred to float them and the access from the banks is poor for those without a boat.
Mad
River Boat Trips • (Jackson Hole) When you head down the Snake River with
Mad River, you're traveling with more than 100 years of river guide
experience. Guides are knowledgeable in local lore, Wyoming's rugged
and beautiful waters, and advanced rafting safety. You'll find our
entire crew prides themselves in providing the very best, most exciting
river
trip you can take in the Jackson area. Come, grab
a paddle and take a trip with Mad River.
"But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon
all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul, and memories. And
the sounds of the Big Black Foot River, and a four count rhythm, and the
hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and
a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and
runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless
raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters."
If you believe what you read, fly-fishing requires the
touch of a surgeon and the spirit of a Zen master. Well, it might help but
it certainly isn’t required around here. Forget about what you’ve heard about
fly-fishing in the past, if you really want to fly-fish all you need are
the right tools, proper technique, and a positive attitude. With these essential
elements, you can begin to enjoy the sport of fly-fishing in no time. 
Some time spent with a guide can enhance your skills exponentially in a very short time, as they are all trained to be teachers. A day discovering the best techniques for fly-fishing with a guide on one of our regional rivers or legendary spring creeks gives you the foundation for many years of productive fly-fishing enjoyment of the future. Many regional guides have spent a lifetime fly-fishing the rivers and streams of Yellowstone Teton Region. Their instruction of the best flies, how to read the water, presentation, and all aspects of fishing the Yellowstone region can greatly enhance your fly-fishing experience.
Most rental shops of the Yellowstone Teton region have drift boats rafts and float tubes for rent for those of you that wish to escape the confines of the bank of your river, lake, or stream, because as we all know, the big one is in the eddy on the far side of the river.
The Snake River Drainage 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 we highly encourage catch and release fishing to protect this
valuable resource.
Whether you are fishing for one of the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat our Yellowstone Cutthroat you will find their most endearing qualities is their fondness for feeding on top sipping mayflies flies or attacking stoneflies, drakes, and hoppers. Large dry flies like size eight Turck Tarantulas, Royal Wulffs, Club Sandwiches, and hoppers are all popular and good choices. Size six and even four stone fly patterns sometimes are also effective.
Many of our lakes are put and take fisheries and are planted by the Idaho, Montana or Wyoming Game and Fish, but most of our rivers and streams are wild trout fisheries and do not receive planted fish.
Mad
River Boat Trips