August has been relatively wet here in the Jackson Hole Valley. We have been getting monsoon-ish type weather conditions with regular afternoon-evening rain. This has brought off and on fishing conditions with local rivers and streams going in and out of shape. Though this has made fishing the area tricky, it certainly has been good for the fish in keeping water temperatures in check. I’ve been saying this for some time, but I believe that Arizona and New Mexico’s August monsoons have been creeping up here in Wyoming. For numerous years Jackson’s Augusts have been very wet, in reality, have been great for the fish. Also, the Bureau of Rec has recently increased flows out of Jackson Lake. The release from Jackson Dam is currently at 2970cfs. With all the rain we have been receiving this is beyond me?
Anyway enough of that, when area waters have been in shape, the fishing has been good. We have been seeing a few of our late season stonefly (Classinia) and Grasshoppers are everywhere. So you can’t go wrong with the usual Chubbies, Peanuts, and Waterwalkers. Here’s a couple that you might not think of but have been effective for us; the Royal Coachman Cripple and Scott Sanchez’s Convertible in either
Royal or Hare’s Ear. Also our big fall mayfly (Hecuba) will be showing up soon so be prepared for them. A Parachute Hare’s Ear or a Horsetail Parachute in 10’s and 12’s are good imitations.
If you are going to fish the Tributaries, they are starting to drop to fall flows. Look for green water. Pockets of water that go from a foot or so to three feet. It will be green and you’ll know it when you see it. It might not be big, but fish it, because that’s where the fish will be.
Up in Yellowstone National Park, both the Yellowstone River and Yellowstone Lake are still fishing well. It is terrestrial time for the Yellowstone River. You’ll find good action with hoppers, ants, and beetles. Nymphing with some kind of black stonefly pattern is an always. Summer mayfly and caddis hatches are on the wane but you can expect that to pickup as we move into the fall. Fishing Marabou and Mohair Leech patterns in the Lake are standards, but a plain old Black Woolly Bugger can still do the job. As you drive around the west side of the Lake, concentrate your fishing off the points of the Lake. Sand Point and Gull Point are two good ones but there are many more.
A thing to look forward to will be the Firehole and Madison River. As fall comes on and the weather cools, both rivers will come back into play. The Firehole can have great mayfly and caddis hatches and don’t neglect swinging softhackles. One
of my favorites to swing there is the old Royal Coachman Wet. The Madison’s fall run of Brown Trout is famous. The Browns run from Hebgen Lake to the Madison that lies in Yellowstone to spawn. This usually peaks in October but it is still worth doing in September. For you Trout/Spey junkies, this is the perfect technique for intercepting these migratory fish. It really doesn’t matter what form of fly fishing you choose, it is special time and a special place. For those of you that have done it you know what I’m
talking about. I will say this, if going to fish there, plan on being up early. Fishing big streamers, to small nymphs and everything in between can be effective.
I’m looking forward to my fall fishing and hope you are too! Until next time, good fishing.