Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Report- April 23, 2014- Rivers on the Rise!

A Skwala stonefly adult tries to escape from the camera… a great treat just before runoff!

Thus far into April I can say I am happy with the results so far and hopeful of continuously shrinking the big snowpack in the hills steadily rather than seeing the pack grow, which can often be the case in Western Wyoming. Just this past weekend I got out for another fine float down the Snake before the runoff starts in earnest and by Monday the flows were turning off color and on the rise. That day we brought several really nice trout to hand on both streamers and skwala dries but the heavy dark streamers worked the best overall.

Once again a front has passed through and we are seeing the river drop some and clarity in Wilson was fairly decent this afternoon. Truthfully I wonder if clarity plays a role anymore, I have seen lights out fishing in very marginal water but psychologically you feel good about having a couple feet of vis. Until the Snake pushes above 2k and gets brown I would venture to fishing it, its good! This time of year you net the fat, robust trout that have over wintered well. In fact some of these fish may not be caught again until the fall- once they key in on high protein minnow prey in the deeper lies they may not look up all summer.

Snake River Finespotted Cutthroat

This year in the GTFF Fly Shop we are gearing up much earlier than in the past and are stocking some pretty sweet products from 3Tand Reels, Free Fly, Mystic Fly Rods & a nice assortment of hand tied "Guide Flies". I have obviously been in and around the fly shop industry from my early days with the Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop but for well over a decade have made my office in a drift boat. This Spring I must say its nice to really dig in and see a small but sweet shop come to life. Our aim is to offer unique products that are up and coming and not well represented… yet! We feel a smaller shop gives you the straight answer quickly and gets you on the water sooner, basically are we going to fish or talk about it?

I encourage anyone to stop by our shop, say hello and check out some new products to JH!

GTFF's 3rd Season in the Dave Hansen's Whitewater building…
225 W. Broadway-- across from Bin22.

Freefly apparel is a must have, on or off the river!

Thanks for reading and pleases share and look us up later this summer…

Stay tuned, its going to be a good one!