The Fishing in Teton Valley Idaho and its tributaries that feed it from the Grand Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming are among the best in the west, The Teton River as well and North and South Leigh Creeks, Teton Creek, Darby Creek Fox Creek, Bitch Creek and Trail creek all provide superb fishing.

© Daryl Hunter - The Hole Picture

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.

The trout begin rising about 10 am each day and because of the constant 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.

© Daryl Hunter - The Hole Picture

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.

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.

Many of the fish of the Teton River Spawn in the tributaries and can provide great action during the spawn.

"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 Henryís 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 isnít required around here. Forget about what youíve 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 doesnít 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 wouldnít 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.