Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Report- November 17, 2013

November 17, 2013

Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Report- November 17, 2013

So the fly fishing season is nearing a wrap for me personally as I prepare for a good dose of MOUNTAIN TIME... as I write this a hefty snow storm has pushed into the area increasing my excitement for some much needed skiing time. Since the later part of October the fall fishing in and around JH has been exceptional, in fact better than usual. Why? Well, late September and the early part of October came in wet and cold. We had steady rain and some snow days that resembled November and that quick shock slowed the fishing just enough to force many to stay home, especially if its wet and windy out. The trips I did manage to get out were good but raw on the body. However, by mid October the weather turned around and we had a nice push of Indian Summer well into November now. Flows are low and cold but with pleasant afternoon temps the fish get podded up in flats and corners sipping midges and a few stray BWO's. The best venue for me was the Upper reaches of the South Fork and then on the Snake around Jackson. Streamers are still your best bet to find the best trout but it sure is fun to hunt a few snouts with a small dry in November.

Last week I made an annual fall trip to the Atlanta area to visit friends and family and of course, chase some warm water species. I had a fun full day on Lake Lanier with my friend Brian Shinall hunting striped bass on the fly. Lanier is a premier striper fishery in the South and when the conditions are favorable these hard fighting beasts chase schools of bait to the surface, the exact condition we were hunting in order to get a fly in front of a fish or two(SEE THE VIDEO BELOW).

I also got out with my dad for an afternoon kayaking the Chattahoochee River south of Atlanta. This river is one of my all time favorites due to the excellent diversity. Here you can catch hefty brown trout, largemouth, spotted, striped and shoal bass. I have even caught some good sized blue catfish and chain pickerel on flies on the Hooch. Because this river is surrounded by so many large and productive impoundments it doesn't see the hard core and ardent angler in dense numbers, a real treat in a large Metropolitan area.

Fly Fishing from kayaks on a lonely section of the Chattahoochee River near Newnan, GA.

Now back in the Hole we can expect the season to be waning to the winter techniques that I can appreciate and enjoy(ice breaking guides & deep nymphs) but as good skiing presents itself it is quite hard to sneak away for some fishing. I have, however experienced some of the best midge fishing I can ever recall in early December on the Henry's Fork below Ashton. Perhaps its time to re-visit!