Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Report 9/30

Water levels keep dropping on the Snake, but Bureau of Rec is doing it at a much more

civil 150 CFS a day instead of their horrible 1200 CFS drop in one day drop on

September 12. Should be down to 280 CFS winter flow October 12. River structure and

riffle, runs and banks are fishable after a crazy summer of 5000CFS releases.

Fall mayfly hatches have kicked in on the Snake. Great banker’s hour fishing. The mix

of mahogany, and small blue winged olives and stray Hecuba provide some of the most

consistent dry fly fishing of the year and the chance to cast to rising cutthroats. There

have been small grey blue winged olives and the fish seem to be keying in on those

when they are abundant. This is a little different fishing than Snake River attractors.

Size 14 parachutes will work when you are float fishing and blind casting, but when you

find pods you will need to size down. Size 16 and 18 PFD Mahogany, Tilt Wing

Callibaetis and Tilt Wing Baetis are good choices. Also, emergers like Sanchez Split

Top, Quigley Flag and Everything Emerger work very well on pods of fish.

Surprisingly, Foam flies like Water Walkers and Hoppers have been fishing well. Maybe

because of hoppers being more available this year after a late start. Or maybe just

because cutts’ like a big meal.

Smaller tributaries will slow down as the trout migrate down to bigger water for the

winter. Hoback and Gros Ventre can have decent afternoon fishing but you really need

to look for deeper water.

Product highlight

Seeing is believing.

As we move into fall the sun angle changes and we start fishing smaller dry flies. Good

sunglasses and quality magnifiers make a big difference in spotting fish an seeing your

fly. Smith Chromapop and Bajio sunglasses filter light in a way that makes for incredible

contrast and clarity. For those of us with greying hair, Clics magnetic closure readers

make it easier to tie on small flies. Simms and Abel nippers have amazing fly threaders

too.