The Salt River is a small river that originates on the western slope of the Salt River Mountain Range just south of the town of Afton. It flows north through scenic Star Valley Wyoming between the Salt River Range of Wyoming and the Caribou Range of Idaho into Palisades Reservoir at its confluence with the Snake River. On it's way it meanders through miles of ranch land until it reaches on Idaho-Wyoming border. The Salt River is home to Brown, Rainbow, Brook and Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat and Trout. The Salt is a flat-water river but does offer scenic canoe, kayak, rafting and tubing floats.
The picturesque Salt River Range has several peaks that reach above 11,000 feet in elevation and is home to some of Wyoming's best deer and elk hunting areas. Anywhere but western Wyoming a range with these attributes would be envied, but here it just another great mountain range with another great river draining it. The Caribou Range isn't as big but still hosts some great hunting and scenery.
The Salt has an ample population of Cutthroat, Browns and Rainbow Trout. The average fish range from 12 to 14 inches, but browns up to six pounds is always a pleasant possibility.
The Salt River clears earlier than the other rivers in the area. Usually by about mid or late June the Salt can be fished, while other rivers are still in runoff mode. You can fish the river year-round except being November and December above Wyoming Bridge 238. These two months fishing is restricted because of the spawning brown trout spawn.
This river's overgrown banks, private property, strong currents, deep holes, and other such obstacles are the reasons that make the Salt River a difficult river to wade so floating the Salt is the best way to fish it productively. However where structure and access allow wade fishing is an effective way to fish. There are also a few areas where it may be necessary if you are floating to take your boat out of the river because of low bridge clearance or a fence crossing the river so be aware.
One thing that makes fishing the Salt River such a pleasure is the public access that is available to fishermen. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department purchased public access from the local ranchers and farmers for the use and enjoyment of sportsmen. Please respect these considerate landowners by not crossing any fences or harassing their livestock.
The best part about fishing the Salt is the number of people you will see. The Salt receives very little fishing pressure. It's not uncommon to be the only one fishing this beautiful and quiet little river.
Hatches
The Salt is home to some very decent Caddis hatches and are common early and late in the day, Golden Stones hatch throughout the day. July brings Pale Morning Duns Yellow Sallies and Grey Drakes, Around the beginning of August, grasshoppers become abundant and are the predominate food source. The Salt River has plenty of baitfish so streamers can be very effective in coaxing out big fish from their lairs. If, however, you are interested in catching some of the bigger fish then you'll have to go big, ugly and deep. The cooler weather of fall brings on the Blue Wing Olive hatches. Nymph fishermen will find the Salt very productive fishing using the nymph stages of all the above mentioned flies.
Flies
Effective Caddis patterns include. Elk Hair Caddis, Peacock
Caddis, and Goddard Caddis Good Stonefly patterns include Stimulators Trudes
Royal Coachman's. Your Mayfly collection should include Parachute Adams,
Blue-Winged Olives, and Cahills. Terrestrial patterns should include Parachute
Hoppers, Dave's hoppers, and Chernobyl Ants. Attractor patterns that can
be effective are Royal Wulffs, Humpies, Madam X's, Turcks Tarantula's, and Double Humpies. Effective nymphs include Beadhead Princes, Pheasant Tails, PMD Emergers, Halfbacks, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tails, Zug Bugs, and Anderson's Golden Stones. Good streamers are Double Bunnies, Kiwi Muddlers, Wooly Buggers, Matukas, Zonkers, Girdle Buggers and a JJs
Special.
"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 Henrys 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 isnt required around here. Forget about what youve 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 doesnt 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 wouldnt 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
Regional Scenic Float Trips
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.
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. We guarantee it will be one
you remember for a long time.
Jackson
Hole Whitewater • (Jackson Hole) Voted The #1rafting company in Jackson
Hole by our local newspaper the "Jackson Hole Guide." That says
it all. We have been in business for 35 years and were the first
company to have permits on the Snake River. We are a small company
by choice. We have had the chance to expand but feel that "small
is better"! Visit our website to find out why...
The picturesque Salt River Range has several peaks that reach above 11,000 feet in elevation and is home to some of Wyoming's best deer and elk hunting areas. Anywhere but western Wyoming a range with these attributes would be envied, but here it just another great mountain range with another great river draining it. The Caribou Range isn't as big but still hosts some great hunting and scenery.
The Salt is home to some very decent Caddis hatches and are common early and late in the day, Golden Stones hatch throughout the day. July brings Pale Morning Duns Yellow Sallies and Grey Drakes, Around the beginning of August, grasshoppers become abundant and are the predominate food source. The Salt River has plenty of baitfish so streamers can be very effective in coaxing out big fish from their lairs. If, however, you are interested in catching some of the bigger fish then you'll have to go big, ugly and deep. The cooler weather of fall brings on the Blue Wing Olive hatches. Nymph fishermen will find the Salt very productive fishing using the nymph stages of all the above mentioned flies.
Flies 
"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 isnt required around here. Forget about what youve 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
