Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Mid-Winter Guide Report

Flat Creek warms a pair of Buffleheads during a January deep freeze. Valley air temps struggled to get above zero many days.

Here Flat Creek is reduced to a 3' open flow while shelf and anchor ice form from -20 degrees on January 21st.

 The 2012-13 winter has thus far been a bleak snow producer with exception only to the heavy moisture that arrived back in the fall of 2012. In fact, that period in late November through Christmas bumped our snowpack to well over 130% of normal. Now that has been eroded to 94% yet sustained with fairly brisk Wyoming temperatures throughout January and now into early February. The region is in a "No" nino weather pattern, basically we have equal chances for below or above average snow. As with any year the tipping point falls in March. If we have an early spring I would imagine river conditions coming around early in the season. If March is wet and skiers are happy the rivers may see a good sized runoff period lasting into July.

Reports from the rivers are the usual winter fare... midges, whitefish, a few big trout, icy guides and cold feet and hands. I always say the best thing about winter angling is the solitude, or at least it used to be so. I hear the Henry's Fork can see dozens of anglers on a warm weekend day.

This rainbow hen thought she was knocking off the competition. If you fish spawning periods take extra care in your step and with handling the trout.

Our big cutty's in Jackson Hole prowl slow runs as the winter releases its grip in early March, come on out!