Highlights from the 2019 Fishing Season- Wyoming Fly Fishing

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2019 GUIDE SEASON IN JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING

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As I sit here working through the reality of our current situation with the pandemic I do feel grateful to have these digital escapes. Like most Americans right now and for the foreseeable future we have a lot of time to reflect and catch up on things that were lost in the hectic life prior to the virus and for me one thing I aim to do is more posts from my fishing experiences over the last year.

The 2019 Fishing Season was exceptional in nearly every way. I had all my regular clients lined up and a few new ones mixed in. Our business at Grand Teton Fly Fishing was operating at a high level and I had accumulated a professional and competent guide staff I could trust and of course, Bruce was keeping us all organized and in line as a manager. And lastly, the fishing was very good, all of these aspects allowed me to focus on my guide work and some long over due personal fishing and photography. I keep the philosophy that you never stop learning in this outdoor activity of Fly Fishing. 

Enjoy the following images. These are some of my favorites from the season and capture the moment well.

MARCH- March is truly one of the best months to fish the Snake River with no crowds, solitude and eager fish in riffles from about noon until 4pm. This is a small fly situation, besides a few streamers expect midge madness!

Josh Gallivan enjoying one of the first outings of the year.

Spring guiding is often on foot to access a couple spots for just a couple hours.

APRIL- By April we are floating and access begins to open up in the Park sections. This is another outstanding month in Jackson Hole with a few bugs hatching, like the skwalla stonefly but in some years if the weather is too warm in late April the river can begin to blow out from snow melt.

First float in GTNP is always special.

Steve Bohl and myself enjoying the moment.

GTFF guide, Ben Brennan making the image stand out.

Sight fished cutthroats in clear water are the best!

MAY- Often May is when we begin to focus on ice off on the lakes and give the rivers a rest as they swell from snow melt. May can be a great time to target large fish but it can be very slow because water temps are frigid, muddy or both. Lucky for us a few rivers to the south remain clear enough to dredge worms and streamers.

GTFF guide, Luke Philkill hunting spring action on Jackson Lake days after ice off, typically around Mothers Day.

Katie and Christine love hitting the hot spring rivers.

Christine gets it done every time.

May is a great time to check out the famous water in Eastern Wyoming. This is the North Platte outside of Casper, WY.

JUNE-  This is the month when things begin to get interesting starting with epic still water fishing on nearly all the lakes of the region. Some rivers begin to settle down late in June most years to a fishable level and by mid June the crowds are in full force. Nature is everywhere, especially in the high country and the hatches on the Upper Snake pick up considerably.

A sow grizzly on Togwotee Pass.

Christine enjoying her adventure to Lava Creek Ranch, our new private, trophy fishing access.

My garage and office, aka my boat, gear and fly tying staging area.

Sight fishing the gin clear water of Yellowstone Lake is amazing!

JULY-  July signifies the busy peak season and for good reason, it is damn good fishing nearly everywhere! The Snake River is still settling down from runoff but every other drainage in the region is in prime time for the next two months with hatches and good dry fly fishing, however the Upper Snake below Jackson Lake dam is some of the best dry fishing around.

Mikey can put a hurt on big trout.

Not common but big cutthroats are around, 24"!

Heather and Lisa Lee showing off their well deserved double.

Eric Smith making a connection to YNP.

AUGUST-  The month you need to take a slight break and let the first hints of autumn begin to show signifying terrestrial season. Late August can be a real sleeper if it's not too hot. The Snake River is in it's prime season with fish taking large attractor dries. On other rivers the fish are a bit finicky but will take a well placed ant, beetle or hopper and then tricos control your every move, good times!

Scott Smith with a beast lunch time rainbow.

Good morning moose!

The Snake River in GTNP late in August is incredible.

SEPTEMBER-  The home stretch of the season and perhaps the best of the summer. Crowds begin to thin out somewhat and you can expect consistent fishing on every river section with enough water to float. The mornings are cool and afternoons to die for. Hopper season is in full swing and views are stunning.

Cory Lee with a nice cutthroat to end the day on.

 OCTOBER- This is the month every guide loves. Crowds are gone, fish settle into a mid day feeding, some hatches occurring and snow fronts bring on good streamer fishing.

It was cold this day but excellent fishing.

Insane streamer bite despite sun, cold water and weather.

The Snake River resembles March in October with excellent fishing from noon to 4pm. Here my wife, Dana and I enjoy a rare day on the water.

 NOVEMBER- This is the month it all comes to an end but sometimes with a grand finale if the weather holds on a little longer. Big fish are on the prowl but icy winds can make it painful and you can work hard for just a few. That's ok when you measure the fish in pounds not inches!

Josh Gallivan with a beast from Henry's Lake on our annual guide retreat.

A nice autumn Lake Trout from Jackson Lake. Persistence pays off.

Snake River still produces fair action mid day on midges if the sun shines.

SS and JG just stoked!

My last float and Snake River catch of 2019. The sun was out and  it was a solo outing that did not disappoint!

THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING, STAY TUNED!