Fly Fishing Report- 7/4/11

Western Green Drake nymphs are primed for hatching on many Snake River tributaries... as flows recede and warm look for thick emergences... many hatches appear to be a month behind.

Our mountain summer arrived on the solstice this year reminding many of us that the spring we just had is a common reality in the northern Rockies. Temps have become more seasonable lately and the last peak of runoff occurred nearly a week ago. With that behind us we are still looking at a long slowly dropping hydro graph for most rivers in the region and excellent river fly fishing is easily weeks away. In the meantime area lakes are providing fantastic action for a variety of trout species, from lake trout to browns & cutthroats.

In years like this with record snowpack and cool spring temps even the famous tail waters of the region can run high and dirty. Luckily, the sight fishing potential is high for a few weeks after ice out on the lakes in Jackson Hole, this scenario can be as good as it gets in the fly fishing world... akin to stalking saltwater gamefish on the flats. This brown trout above was intercepted in less than 2' of water on a #16 olive scud, the real trick is getting the fly in the strike zone without spooking the fish. All together most days on lakes yield fewer numbers of trout than rivers, however the average size catch can easily be 18"-22"!

Lake Trout will remain shallow well into July this year, great sight casting game!

South Fork @ 17,000cfs, fishing is fair but will greatly increase as flows drop.

Snake River @ 2300cfs(dam-PC), sallies and pmd's, murky flows but improving.