SNAKE RIVER
Flows from Jackson Lake Dam have been ramped up to 2,500cfs but this has not impacted the much improved fishing on the Snake. The stream is clearing with receding tributaries and the fishing is starting to get really good. By no means is the Snake in shape, but fish can be had, especially on the lower reaches from Wilson Bridge down to Hoback Junction. Still, the entire river is offering some decent action on streamers, big attractors, smaller imitations, and, at times, nymphs. We have a good number of PMDs and yellow sallies, as well as some caddis and smaller golden stones about. This is what is bringing the trout to the surface. Streamer action is best in the morning but continues to be good through the afternoon. A variety of holding water is producing, including banks, structure, riffles, and flats. The morning is also decent with large attractors and stonefly imitations along banks, structure, and seams. The afternoon is when the real dry fly action starts. Trout are rising to the same attractors that are working in the morning, but also to PMD and yellow sallie imitations as well as small attractors. Dropper nymphs are doing the trick, so there is no real reason to go with double nymph rigs. Things will start to get good over the next couple of weeks and then be REALLY go for the rest of the summer and autumn.
Effective dry flies – Will’s Winged Chernobyl (#8 to #10), Chubby Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Circus Peanuts (#8 to #10), Grape Magic (#8 to #10), Tara Xs (#10), Stimulators (#10 to #12), Parachute Extended Body PMDs (#12 to #14), Quigley Cripples (#12), Comparaduns (#12), and Furimsky BDEs (#12 to #14).
Effective streamers – Silvey Sculpins, Butt Monkeys, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Quad Bunny Leeches, and SRA Double Bunnies.
Effective nymphs – Copper Johns (#10 to #12) in red, Lightening Bugs (#10 to #14), Rainbow Warriors (#12 to #14), Robins (#10 to #12), and Zug Bugs (#10 to #14).
SOUTH FORK
The South Fork is fishing VERY well and will probably get better as the month of July moves along. All reaches are offering dry fly action at some part of the day. Of course most of the attention is focused on the salmon fly hatch which is currently progressing into the upper Canyon reach. However, a strong case can be made that the best fishing is on PMDS, which are emerging everywhere in the afternoon. There is also a lot of yellow sallies and caddis about and we are observing green drakes and golden stones on the lower reaches from Cottonwood down to Lorenzo. Imitations of all of these are bringing trout to the surface. Banks, structure, seams and flats are fishing well with large attractors and dry/dropper rigs as well as yellow sallie and caddis imitations. Target riffles, seams, and flats in the afternoon with PMD and yellow sallie imitations.
Effective dry flies – Chubby Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Will’s Winged Chernobyl (#8 to #10), Carnage Stones (#8 to #10), Circus Peanuts (#8 to #10), Stimulators (#10 to #12), Elk Hair Caddis (#12 to #14), X-Caddis (#12), Parachute Extended Body PMDs and Cahills (#12 to #14), Snowshoe Duns (#12 to #14), Quigley Cripples (#12 to #16), Booty’s PMD Emerger (#12 to #14), and Booty’s Green Drake Emerger (#10 to #12).
Effective nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Leg (#6 to #10), Lightening Bugs (#10 to #14), Rainbow Warriors (#10 to #14), Copper Johns (#10 to #14) in red, Psycho Mays (#10 to #14), and Bruised Mays (#10 to #14).
GREEN RIVER
Clarity is not excellent on the Green and flows are fairly high at just over 2000cfs at Warren Bridge, but the fishing is still pretty decent as long as you keep realistic expectations in terms of number of hook ups in a day. What the Green is offering is good size with streamers and large attractors. Targeting banks, structure, and seams is a good way to go. No need to fish nymph rigs but going with a dry dropper on riffles and seams is producing. PMDs, yellow sallies, caddis, some gray drakes, and some smaller golden stone are about. Fish hard on the surface when you can, because the window for top water action is tightening. This may change for the better when the flows start to recede.
Effective dry flies – Circus Peanuts (#8 to #10), SRA Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Wills Winged Chernobyl (#8 to #10), Snake River Water Walkers (#8 to #10), Parachute Hares Ear (#10 to #12), Parachute Extended Body PMDs and Cahills (#10 to #14).
Effective streamers – Strung-Out Leeches, Butt Monkeys, SRA Double Bunnies, Quad Bunnies, Swimmin’ Jimmies, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Murphy’s Bling Minnow, Chicklets, Sex Dungeons, and Bow River Buggers.
SALT RIVER
The Salt still has some decent fishing and it will probably get better as flows continue to recede through the next couple of weeks. Right now flows are fairly stable at about1050cfs near McCoy Bridge. Fishing is still best from Etna down to the lake. Clarity is not superb but it does get better as the day progresses from morning to afternoon. As has been the case over the past couple of weeks, there are some very solid hatches of PMDs, caddis, yellow sallies, green drakes, and golden stones. These hatches are at their fullest in the afternoon, which coincides with improving clarity and the more active fishing.
Effective nymphs – Lightening Bugs (#10 to #16), Rainbow Warriors (#12 to #16), Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph (#16), Soft Hackles (#10 to #12), Copper Johns (#10 to #14) in red, olive, or black, and Zug Bugs (#12 to #14).
Effective dry flies – Circus Peanuts (#8 to #10), Will’s Winged Chernobyl (#8 to #10), Chubby Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Snake River Water Walkers (#8 to #10), Parachute Adams (#10 to #18), Stimulators (#10 to #12), Elk Hair Caddis (#12 to #16), Quigley Cripple (#10 to #14), Film Critics (#14 to #18), Booty’s Green Drake Emerger (#10 to #12), Parachute Extended Body PMDs (#10 to #16), Booty’s PMD Emerger (#12 to #14), and Q’s Loop Wing Cripple (#12 to #16).