Jackson Hole Fishing Report 4/6/2026

It’s hard to imagine that we are already entering the second quarter of the year. With that in mind I’ve checked the latest snow water equivalent and total precipitation amounts. The local snow water equivalents are ranging from 60% to 80% and the total year to date precipitation amounts are at 108%. With the recent warmer temperatures, be ready for spring runoff to start earlier and many of the hatches to be ahead of schedule. Hopefully, we will be blessed with a wetter than normal Spring. Every bit of moisture will be gladly welcome in order to avoid a dry summer/fire season. With the cooler weather, flows have seem to flatten out locally with the exception of the South Fork over in Idaho. In the last two days the flows out of Palisades Reservoir have jumped over 2000cfs. Who knows how long this will last. So before heading over there double check the current flows. The Hoback has levelled off, so it’s not the muddy mess it was a week ago. So unless we get a spike in temperatures, look for it to continue to be slightly off-colored grey/green. And that goes for the Snake downstream of Hoback as well. Hatches continue to focus on midges and Baetis, with Baetis becoming more prominent as we approach April. For epic hatches, focus on overcast days and especially one without the “W”.

Big Baetis hatch on the Henry's fork a few days ago.

The “W” has been pretty persistent this Spring. A handful of caddis have been seen last week with the warmer weather. It’s just a matter of time. Until then, continue to throw nymphs and streamers as you wait to see noses breaking the surface. Ben Davine and I will be heading down for the Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo in Sandy, Utah (Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11th ). So if you happen to be in the Salt Lake area, be sure to stop by and say hello.

Flies of choice:

Skittering Zelon Midge (#18-20)

Zebra Midges (red and black) (#18-22)

Sowbugs and scuds (#18-20)

Perdigons (#18-20)

Baetis emergers and Sparkle Duns (#18-20)

Squishy Turds (#12-14)

Pat’s Rubber Legs (#12-14)