The Teton River begins its journey to the Columbia in the upper reaches of postcard perfect Teton Valley. Much of this mountain valley is pasture, grain and potato fields, and open range bordered by the forested hills of the Big Hole Mountains and the famous peaks of the Grand Teton Range. The rugged peaks of the Tetons and the forested hillsides of the Big Hole's stand in stark contrast to each other, this diversity adds character to the Teton River Valley. The upper Teton River is a meandering spring creek that is a fly-fishing nirvana. Huge rainbow and cutthroat trout live throughout the entire river. This is a dry fly paradise! Mayfly hatches are prolific and often there will be four or five different hatches at the same time. The Narrows (the lower Teton) has all the adrenaline rush attributes of any class IV and V whitewater river. The Teton River is a diverse waterway providing the gamut from tubing to world class whitewater and trout fishing.

Over 100 species of migrating birds call this Teton River Valley home. Wildlife viewing, trout fishing and hunting opportunities are excellent. In addition to the watershed�s highly valued stream courses, more than 27,000 acres of diverse and productive wetlands are found along the river and tributaries. These wetlands support a rich diversity of wildlife and plants, including many rare and sensitive species. Much of the area is also vital summer pasture for ranchers, another endangered species.

In the upper reaches of the Teton River the water is like a flat spring creek running through pastureland similar to this is the Railroad Ranch section of the Henry�s Fork. Willows line the bank and it is good mayfly and caddis water. The bottom is gravel lined with deep pools and long runs. The majority of the upper river looks like this, and it's not until you are at the northern end of the valley that the Teton River makes a dramatic change. At the Harrop Bridge (hwy 33 crossing) the Teton River descends into what is known as the Narrows of the Teton.

The Teton River is very navigable the 15 miles aboveHarrop Bridge. There are three bridges in the upper section that provide easy access for boat launching. Teton Creek, Bates and Cache bridges, The floats between these three bridges are mellow and easy to handle in a canoe, driftboat or innertube. Remember to leave plenty of room when approaching wading fisherman.

The water directly below Harrop Bridge is not navigable by fishing boat and should only be fished on foot, it is floated by kayak but you better know what you are doing. The river here changes character due to increased drop, boulders and rapids. This part of the Teton River sees even fewer fishermen than that of the difficult canyon below. A road leads down to access the river.

To fish the Narrows of the Teton River gives new meaning to that old phrase. "Getting there is half the fun!" To access the upper narrows you must slide, lower and rope your boat down a 1000-foot slide. Over a 500-foot vertical drop from car to river that is well worth the effort in the pursuit of exciting fishing with an added bonus of some whitewater fun. The hike down to the water is steep and the footing is precarious. This is a very good reason why only people in good condition, equal to the hike float this section of river.

There are four main floats in the Narrows. Only the upper and middle sections have difficult rapids. All of the floats have huge trout, and lots of them. Few people gain or attempt access to the Narrows because of the heavy rapids and poor access. Some of these rapids are big enough that sometimes for safety you get out of the boat and walk around them while the boatman navigates the lighter boat through the difficult and risky water.

It is a great feeling to fish all day and usually not see another fisherman. The lower and lower-lower narrows are somewhat mild compared to the middle and upper floats of the narrows. The Teton Narrows are hidden far from roads and people; little of the Narrows is fished except by hardy boaters and fishermen in the know. It is however popular with the kayakers during spring runoff at which times it is one of the classic river runs of the west.

The Fishing

The Teton River provides some of the best fly fishing for both the beginner and the advanced angler. The fish, which consist of Rainbow, Cutthroat, Cutt-bows, and Brook Trout, as well as Whitefish, grow quite large in the Teton River due to the prolific hatches occurring throughout the spring and into the fall. Because of the many springs that feed it, the Teton maintains a near constant temperature in the upper stretch. This makes for ideal conditions for great hatches. When the water temperature does not vary much, the mayflies, caddis and stoneflies can continually reproduce, resulting in big fat fish and the happy fisherman.

Pale Morning dun mayflies and Caddis flies hatches start around the middle of June. This hatch generally lasts throughout the season. Baetis, Mahogany duns and Rusty spinners hatches come off in July and last well into fall. Grasshoppers appear around late July and provide some great fishing into early September and beyond. The Grey Drakes hatches start in September, the drakes are a very large mayfly and are about 1 - 1 1/2 inches in size, this is the most exciting time to fish the Teton because you'll find that you will probably have the river to yourself. Bellow Harrop Bridge you will see Stoneflies, as large as three inches in early June and sequentially smaller stoneflies throughout the rest of the season. At times you may have to fish a nymph dropper off an attracter fly but most of the time a single attracter fly is all that is needed to bring fish after fish to the surface. The flies you will be using here include stoneflies, hoppers, mayfly patterns, Caddis, attracters of every kind, and streamers in some rare instances.

The trout begin rising about 10 am each day and because of the constatant water temperature the hatches continue until dark as does the fishing action. This dynamic results in many huge trout being caught on small dry flies. Sometimes these giants take up permanent residence in the weed growth but many fish prefer cruising the feed lanes in the river grass for their dinner. Others hang out below obstructions along the banks. A good drag free cast over this water is important if you want to fool one of these trophies.

Special regulations are in effect for the Teton River and should be followed. Be sure to come prepared as the weather can change in an instant. Most of all enjoy the fishing and the scenery. The Grand Tetons loom large in the background so if the fishing is slow, you still have something beautiful to experience.

Kayaking the Teton Narrows

At most flows the river offers technical Class IV whitewater with one Class V drop at Boulder Dam. This jumble of rocks is easy to notice and is scouted or portaged on river left. The river completely flattens out near the Felt Power Plant and its diversion dam. The dam can be run at some water levels. The take-out is above the dam as it is easy to follow the trail up and out of the canyon. If you are up for a longer run continue on to France Boat Ramp. After the confluence with the Bitch Creek there are five small rapids and mostly very flat water until the take-out on river right (after the second set of power lines cross the river).

Another section begins at the France Boat Ramp that served the Teton Reservoir before the dam collapsed in 1976. You have entered a canyon that will continue to get deeper as you float downstream. The river is characterized by a series of 14 to18 rapids of various sizes that are proceeded and followed by slow flowing lakes. There is a take out at the old dam site. During high water the Teton River is a wild roller coaster ride and kayakers travel from all over to float it. There is always a chance of logjams on the Teton; a friend of mine died under a logjam in this river so please use due caution.