The Snake River Canyon

whitewater rafters Snake River Canyon Alpine Jackson WY

A blue sky overhead hosts a few cumulous clouds, the towering Snake River Range overwhelms you on the right but the majestic Wyoming Range balances it on the left, an osprey plucks an unsuspecting trout from its watery home with a quick swoop from the sky and some handy work with it's talons. You can count your blessings when you're floating down the mighty Snake River that divides these two mountain ranges here in the bottom of Wyoming's Snake River Canyon. The Snake River is a gorgeous ribbon of blue, green and white that comes alive and deposits itself in you face on a regular basis in this imposing canyon where towering spruce, pine and fir trees wear rags of moss and bald eagles perch watching the parade of kayakers, fishermen and rafters float by.

French trappers who were the earliest travelers to the Snake River Canyon had a different opinion of the place, "La maudite riviœre enrag¹e. The accursed mad river". An 1800's perspective of Wyoming's Snake River back when mountains and rivers were obstacles instead of resorts The swift running whitewater of the Snake, where it squeezes through this canyon, was a major obstacle in the traverse of these mountains. Today the Snake is still ornery, but visitors see it a blessing for its recreational opportunities.

This picturesque river section from Pritchard Creek to Sheep Gulch also provides some awesome fishing if you dare to fish it. Although the river is right below the highway the cliffs limit access enough to keep the fishing good and the difficulty of the whitewater keeps many float fisherman fishing elsewhere.

The Pritchard Creek to West Table Creek access section of the river is rather mellow and is comprised of many braided channels log jams, and shallow, rocky channels to negotiate. Boaters should know how to maneuver around such obstacles prior to floating this section. The average float time for this section is two and one half-hours unless you are a fisherman. There are many riffles, gravel bars, side channels for the fisherman as well as nesting sites of bald eagles and great blue herons.

For those thirsty for whitewater, West Table to Sheep Gulch is your stretch of river; A narrower channel, faster flow and a series of rock ledges produce Class II and III rapids. Class III rapids are the perfect size, on class IV rivers you have to wear a helmet because of the added danger. The spring runoff makes our class III rapids fearsome but later in the summer, when the river settles into a spring creek like clarity that seems to magnify the green rocky depths it becomes a tamer ride but still is plenty of fun and still maintains several class III waves.

West Table is the most popular put in for whitewater trips in the Snake River Canyon. Although there is plenty of fun water in the first half of the trip the real excitement for boaters begins just below Blind Canyon, where boats say hello to Big Kahuna, a hole that's nonexistent at high water but later in the season becomes a 6-foot wall of water. Lunch Counter Rapids is a wave train of 5- and 6-foot swells, including one so massive that locals ride surfboards on it. Lunch Counter is best early in the season before Kahuna comes up.

Boaters that float this 8 mile section from West Table Boat Launch to Sheep Gulch Boat Launch should know how to navigate rapids and have experience on high volume rivers. Kayakers should be able to execute an Eskimo roll. There is a class V reversal located at Three Oar Deal Rapid, stay river right! The average float time is one and one half hours unless you are a fisherman. Regardless of the water level, kayakers always have

drift boat going through class three whitewater wave lunchcounter on Snake River

something to surf in this stretch. If your floating a $6,000 Clackacraft driftboat you might want to make sure it is insured.

Water Features

The following descriptions cover highlights of the stretch of river known as the "Grand Canyon of the Snake River" which runs from the West Table River Access almost 8 miles to the Sheep Gulch boat ramp.

0.8 Station Creek Ledges (II-) The river flows over outcrops of Aspen sandstone creating a series of ledge hydraulics. At lower water, there can be fun surfing here, and there are several small holes to play in. At high water, most of the rapid is washed out. Most of the eddy lines and pools will produce nice trout.

kayaker doing ender in taco hole Snake River Canyon Jackson Hole WY

Kayaker Steve Horn

1.6 S-Turns/Taco Hole (II+) Sandstone and limestone ledges of the Gannett Group create a sinuous series of small haystacks in a pool-drop pattern for the next 0.3 miles. At high flows, the currents become rambunctious with very strong eddylines, ideal for squirt boats, and even strong enough to flip some plastic boats end over end. At lower water levels, various small pourovers and holes appear, providing good play spots for side-surfing and pop-ups. There is a large turnout on the highway high above here for kayaker and fishing access.

2.1 Cut Bank Waves (II) A landslide has constricted the river here, forming a nice set of haystacks, providing good surfing. As the flow increases, so does wave size. The slide has created some big deep pools (along with mile 2.7) followed by easy playful rapids. At high water, one can find very strong eddy-lines, some, which can literally throw kayaks and canoes through the air.

3.1 Three Oar-Deal (II,V)At high flows (12,000 cfs), the hole at Three Oar-deal is possibly the most dangerous on the river. As the river turns to the right, the main current flows over a sandstone ledge protruding from the left, creating a huge and potentially deadly reversal. This unassuming ledge has been the scene of a few horror stories and drowning incidents. The reversal can be easily avoided by maintaining an inside line on the right throughout the turn. At low flows, the danger diminishes as the hole disappears and an innocent looking, partially submerged ledge takes its place.

5.3 Blind Canyon Rapid (II) At the entrance to blind canyon is a nice set of surfing waves, increasing in size with an increase in flow. At most flows, a hole exists at the top of the rapid near the right bank, and becomes sticky as levels drop. Big fish have been known to frequent here.

5.5 Big Kahuna (II-III) At high flows (10,000 cfs) this rapid is washed out. At lower flows, a river wide ledge forms a nice big curler followed by a wave hole in the center. The optimum and elusive flow for the ideal surf on the glassy green curl is somewhere around 7,200 cfs. The curler can be surfed by drifting in from above, and the wave hole can be played in from the eddies below. Easy sneak routes exist on both sides of the curler.

Whitewater rafting trip through the Snake River Alpine Canyon Jackson Hole Wyoming 5.8 Lunch Counter (II, IV) You've heard about it here it comes! Although it does take higher flows to get the Lunch Counter going, hold on. This is the biggest rapid in the Snake River Canyon. Over about 16,000 cfs, wave height may exceed 10 feet. At over 25,000 cfs, they may actually recede. The turbulence is incredible at this level, and at the tail of the haystacks is a cycling shear wave that can flip rafts and engulf kayakers. Adjacent to the tongue of the rapid are two huge eddies, ideal for pulling over people, boats, coolers, etc. It is also a good fishing hole as is the rock ledge 100 feet down river from it.

There is a parking area on the highway and many people come here just to watch the action, get some sun or to fish.

6.2 Rope (II-III-)After the deep pools below Lunch Counter, a series of haystacks suitable for surfing and pop-ups are formed and are a fun little roller-coaster ride. As the flow decreases a conspicuous breaking wave appears.

7.4 Cottonwood (II, III) The rapid is a series of waves and small ledge-holes scattered across the river, culminating in a set of haystacks a half mile downstream where the river constricts. At very high flows, the wave size can exceed 10 feet, good for playing, surfing, or just staring at in amazement. Caution should be used here as the rapids here are from submerged rocks instead of canyon constrictions as most of the rest of the river.

Sheep Gulch this is the take for this section of river for the whitewater enthusiasts. The fishing here is surprisingly good for smaller fish considering the easy access from the highway and the hundreds of boats that take out here.

Fishing the Snake River

fly fising photo Snake River Canyon Jackson Hole WY

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 its 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 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.

Snake River Canyon Hatch Chart

Insects

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Snake River Patterns

Mayflies

Blue Winged Olive (BWO)

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Dry Flies: BWO's, Parachute BWO's, Parachute Adams,
Nymphs & Emergers: Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, BWO Emergers. Beadhead Nymphs

Pale Morning Dun

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Dry Flies:: PMD's, Parachute PMD's, Light Cahill. Pink Cahil, Pink Sparkle Dun, Parachute Adams, Adams,
Nymphs & Emergers: Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, PMD Emergers, Qwiggly Cripple. Beadhead Nymphs

Caddis

Caddis

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Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis, X Caddis, Stimulators,
Nymphs & Emergers: Peeking Caddis, Buckskin Caddis, Beadhead Nymphs

Stone Flies

Yellow Sallies

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Dry Flies: Yellow Stimulators, Henry's Fork Yellow Sallies, Yellow Elk Hair Caddis. Nymphs & Emergers: Prince Nymphs, Beadhead Nymphs

Golden Stoneflies

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Dry Flies: Yellow Stimulators, Irresistible Stimulators. Chernobyl Ants, Royal Coachmans, Madam X's,
Nymphs & Emergers Prince Nymphs, Stonefly Nymphs, Halfback Nymphs,

Salmonflies

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Dry Flies: Sofa Pillows, Orange Stimulators.
Nymphs & Emergers: Black Rubberlegs, Stonefly Rubberlegs, Bitch Creek Nymph.

Terrestrials

Ants

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Black Fur Ant, CDC Ant, Foam Ant, Flying Ant

Grasshoppers

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Dave's Hopper, ParaHopper, Foam Hopper, Madam X's,

Beetles & Crickets

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Deer Hair Beetle, Foam Beetle, Dave's Cricket, Henry's Fork Cricket

Others

Midges

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Dry Flies: Griffith's Gnat, Double Midge, Fuzzballs.
Nymphs & Emergers: Brassie, Midge Emerger, Disco Midge, Serendipity, Tungsten Beadhead Larva

Insects

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Snake River Patterns

A Few Thoughts On Fishing

fly-fisherman Madison River

fly-fisherman Firehole 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."

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.

fly-fisherman wyoming spring creek 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.

fly-fishing drift boat Southfork Snake River Swan Valley Idaho 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.

Fine spotted Snake river Cutthroat Trout fly-fisherman 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.

fly-fishing Gibbon River Yellowstone National Park 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.

Heather Thomas fly-fishing the Snake River in Jackson Wyoming 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.

fly-fishing from drift boats South Fork Snake River Swan Valley Idaho 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

Lee Wulff & Curt Gowdy - flyfishing in the One Fly Fishing Contest

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