Lots of Opportunities to Start Summer 2021

Snake River

The tailwater reach below Jackson Lake Dam is the place to be as runoff continues on the Snake. Flows at the Dam stand at approximately 3,000cfs. There is a bit of surface feeding from Cattlemans down to the Pacific Creek floodplain and it is worth throwing either midge imitations or small to moderate sized foam attractors when you come upon consistent rises. Double/triple nymph rigs are working best on the upper reach from the spillway down to Cattleman’s, as well as the lower reach in the vicinity of Pacific Creek.

Streamers are working from time to time when fished along banks, structure, eddies and seams. They are also the only game in town for the most part in the Dead Sea reach from the Oxbow down to Pacific Creek. Go with floating or intermediate sinking lines or sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range. Slow to moderate retrieves, with a consistent line strip tempo, is key at the moment. Don’t expect off the charts action, but good things can happen in terms of size if not numbers.

Dry flies – Will’s Micro Winged Chernobyl, Micro Peanuts, Parachute Midges, Mosquitos, CDC Midge Emergers, and Film Critics.

Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, Deep Cleaner Stone, San Juan Worm, Brillion’s Rabid Squirrel, Peach Fuzz Jigs, Duracells, Panty Droppers, Copper Johns in red or black, Perdigons, Zebra Midges, and Ice Cream Cone Midges.

Streamers – Silvey Sculpins, Galloup’s Sex Dungeon, Booty’s Quad Bunny, McKnight’s Home Invader, SRA Double Bunnies, Booty’s Tri-Bunny, Kiwi Muddlers, Kreelux, Arum’s Lil’ Kim and Turck’s Tiger Sculpin.

South Fork

Flows from Palisades Reservoir are at approximately 11,500cfs. The South Fork is still primarily a subsurface game with nymph rigs and streamers considering the cool water temps. The most productive fishing is occurring from Cottonwood down to Lorenzo where water temps are a tad warmer (although it is SLIGHTLY off color due to runoff from Pine Creek). Double/Triple nymph rigs are producing in sweeping riffles, riffle pools, seams, eddies, and along banks and structure. Fish these seven to nine feet of leader from trailing fly to line/suspension device. Providing a bit of movement and swinging from every now and then can work in the mid-afternoon timeframe. Keep in mind that takes on nymphs can be subtle at times. Keep a close eye on your line ot suspension device and go tight as quickly as you can.

Streamers are producing when fished along in riffle pools primarily. Banks, structure, and on the inside turn of riffles are a good second choice. Fish you baitfish imitations with slow to moderate retrieves on floating or intermediate sinking lines or sinking tips in the 3ips to 6ips range. Moderate sized baitfish imitations are out-producing larger patterns, although larger streamers are getting into noticeably larger fish.

Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, Kaufmann Stones, San Juan Worms, Squirmy Wormies, Brillion’s Rabid Squirrel, Duracells, Mopscicles, Sexy Lexy Stones, Perdigons, and Zebra Midges.

Streamers – Galloup’s Sex Dungeon, Silvey Sculpins, Galloup’s Bottoms Up, Keller’s Nightmare, Goldies, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Booty’s Tri Bunny, J.J. Specials, Kreelux, and Conehead the Barbarian.

Green River

Flows on the Green have descended nicely since about a week ago and are back on the rise again. The most productive fishing has been on the upper reaches from the Forest Service boundary to Daniel Bridge (with it being a bit more consistent the higher upstream you go). Slower water targets are you best bet as targets with deeper banks, bankside troughs, and confluences being the go-to. There is some decent action along structure with fast currents. Fish large and moderately sized streamers on floating lines or sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range and lean on slow retrieves primarily. Three to five second countdowns can come in handy where sufficient depths allow. Stonefly nymphs, attractor nymphs, and worm imitations can also work when fished with five to seven feet of leader from trailing fly to line/suspension device. Target riffles, deep banks and bankside troughs, and eddies.

The primary hatch at the time is caddis, and emergences can be heavy at times. When it does get on the thick side, there will be intermittent rises here and there, primarily along banks with structure and small eddies and foam pools. It can be worth throwing a caddis adult or pupa imitation (the latter fished with a dry-dropper rig).

The river is more off color below Daniel, but there are still opportunities on stonefly and worm imitations and on larger and darker streamers. Target banks, submerged structure, and confluences and go with moderate retrieves.

Dry flies – Elk Hair Caddis, Mathew’s Sparkle Caddis, Coles U-Cons, and CDC Caddis.

Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, Kaufmann’s Stone, Sam Juan Worms, Bacon and Eggs, Squirmy Wormies, Duracells, Peach Fuzz Jigs, Rabid Squirrels, Nymph Formerly Known as Prince, Copper Johns in red or olive, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph and Mercer’s Glass Tail Caddis.

Streamers – Galloup’s Boogey Man, Keller’s Nightmare, McKnight’s Home Invader, Galloup’s Peanut Envy, Booty’s Quad Bunny, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, and SRA Double Bunnies.

Yellowstone National Park

Firehole River – Typical flows for this time of year on the Firehole with decent emrgences of blue winged olives in the morning and caddis later in the day. Surface action is intermittent but better in the morning hours. Target riffles primarily. Eddies are worthwhile later in the afternoon. Nymphs are producing throughout the day in riffles and seams. Caddis larva/pupa imitations are fishing best of all.

Madison River – With the Gibbon coming in with noticeable clarity, the Maddie is looking good. Most reaches are fishing well with caddis larva/pupa imitations in riffles, seams, and foam lines. Adult caddis are producing in the same water in the afternoon hours (after 1pm). The lower reaches below Riverside is producing with stonefly imitations in the #10 to #8 range. Go with lightly weighted patterns in riffles and seams with moderate depth for the most consistent action.

Lewis Lake – Lewis is completely clear of ice and is fishing well on flats and subtle drop-offs with baitfish imitations, damsel nymphs, and midges patterns primarily. Fish baitfish and damsels on hover and intermediate sinking lines and go with long and slow retrieves with hesitations in line strips every now and then. Lightly weighted midges are best fished with seven to nine feet of leader and allowed to slowly descend through the water column. Slight rod lifts will come in handy. Although it is early in the season, there are already gray drakes on the water and brown trout are feeding on them on flats and drop offs from around 11am until 2:30pm most days.

Keep in mind that almost all the action occurring in the top six feet of the water column.

Lewis River – The best action is occurring on the lower river from the confluence of Crayfish Creek down to the confluence with the Snake River. Nymphs are working best in riffles and when fished along submerged structure. Go with midge, BWO, yellow sallies, and stonefly imitations equally.

Henry’s Fork

Salmon flies are the name of the game at the moment on the Hank’s, with the emergence having moved above Mesa Falls and in the vicinity of Riverside. There are also a fair amount of caddis about. Most of the action of has been below the surface on nymph/larva imitations of each. The best surface action has been from Riverside down to the confluence of Warm River. There is also decent action on caddis imitation in the early evening hours below Warm River from around 5pm until dusk. Target banks, submerged structure, and riffle/eddy current margins with salmon fly imitations. Caddis will work in the same water but also in riffles and riffle pools.

Streamers are working in at least decent fishing from Warm River down to Ashton and better action is happening from Oro Bridge to Chester. Moderately sized streamers are doing the trick primarily, with larger patterns working from time to time on wet and cloudy days. Target banks and structure, as well as riffle pools and riffle current margins. Go with floating or intermediate sinking line and sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range. Moderate retrieves are key.

Dry flies – Chubby Chernobyls, Will’s Winged Chernobyls, Turck’s Tarantulas, Burky’s Bearback Rider, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Mathew’s Sparkle Caddis, Stimulators, Cole’s U-Con, Comparaduns, Furimsky BDEs, Parachute Midges, and CDC Wing Midge Emergers.

Nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg, 20-Inchers, Flashback Rubber Legged Hares Ear Nymphs, Chamois Caddis, Duracells, Peach Fuzz Jigs, Lawson’s Diving Caddis, Mercer’s Bead Tail Caddis, and Perdigons.

Streamers – Galloup’s Boogeyman, McKnight’s Home Invader, Goldies, Mojo Minnows, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Booty Call Minnows, McCune Sculpins, and Beldar Buggers.