The Snake River, Jackson Hole

Home of the Famous Cutthroat Trout

The Snake River as it leaves Grand Teton National Park is equally as breathtaking as it is as it flows through the Park but allows you to see the Grand Teton Mountain Range from different angles and vantage points. This escarpment of perpendicular granite is awesome no mater which angle you view it from. There also good views of the Sleeping Indian in the Gros Ventre Mountains to the east.

From the put-in at Moose Visitor Center this fast-flowing river soon becomes very braided. As it leaves Grand Teton National Park a levee system has been built to protect the valley from floods. Wildlife viewing is good so keep your eyes peeled for Moose, Bison, Elk, Eagles Ospry etc. The lower part of this stretch is mostly private property. This section receives much less fishing pressure then most other stretches so the fishing can be awesome. Use caution to avoid snags, sweepers and logjams. There is no place to access this section of river other that the put-in in Moose.

The Wilson to South Park stretch of the Snake River meanders through the open valley. This stretch flows primarily through undeveloped areas but much of it is private property. This stretch offers wonderful views of the Teton and Snake River Ranges. It is popular with boater of all kinds due to its convenient put-in and take-out.

The stretch from South Park Boat Ramp to Astoria Hot Springs the river is deep, wide and forgiving, yet the eddy lines can be powerful during higher water. The float starts off in the open valley but soon enters a tight canyon. About half way the Hoback River enters the Snake from the east and increases the flow. While most of this run is not whitewater, it is a great place for entry level boaters to practice their skills in preparation for the more difficult water in the Snake River Canyon farther down the river. Much of this section runs right next to Highway 89 and there are many good access points for the walk in fisherman.

Fishing the Snake River in Jackson Hole

The Snake River is home to a unique subspecies of cutthroat trout known as the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat Trout. This outstanding game fish is indigenous to the Snake River drainage and relies totally on natural reproduction. Having a wild trout fishery with indigenous trout is not something we take for granted and we highly encourage catch and release fishing to protect this valuable resource.

One of the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat most endearing qualities is its fondness for feeding on top sipping mayflies flies or attacking stoneflies, drakes and hoppers. Large dry flies like size 8 Turck Tarantulas, Royal Wulffs, Club Sandwiches, and hoppers are all popular and good choices. Size 6 and even 4 stone fly patterns sometimes are also effective.

The Snake River is a large and swift river and can be dangerous. While wade fishing is certainly possible, and done all the time, the preferred method for fly-fishing is with a driftboat or raft. Canoes, rafts, and driftboats provide access to much more of the river than would otherwise be possible on foot but if you are in a canoe make sure you know what you are doing.

The key to fishing the banks of this river while floating is getting your fly as tight to the bank as possible and allowing it to drift just inches form the bank in most spots unless there is no current there. When fishing from a gravel bar it’s possible to hook and land a several fish in a row. These spots often provide good mayfly action. Whenever you see an obstruction like a root system of a fallen tree in the river drift your fly close to it as those are good fish lies and often provide large fish.

Trout season on the Snake opens on April 1 and extends through October 31. Runoff typically starts around early to mid-May and can last well into July and even August in high snowpack years. That allows about a month and a half of fishing prior to spring runoff. Early season fishing can be very good, but is not as consistent and productive as the fishing after spring runoff. Streamers are good choice this time of year. September is considered the best month for fishing the Snake but often times the good fishing will begin in August and last till the season ends in October.

You will find sporadic hatches of stoneflies from April through September, midges all year round. Summer brings hatches of evening caddis and mayflies usually around midday.

Once the river begins to clear in late July or early August, dry fly season begins in earnest. Wulffs, Stimulators, Humpys, Trudes, Royal Coachmans, Power Ants, Jay-Dave's Hopper and Turck Tarantulas are standard fare. Good streamers to use are JJ Specials, Woolly Buggers, Muddlers, Zonkers, Double Bunnies and Kiwi Muddlers. For nymphs, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tails, Anderson's Golden Stone's, Halfbacks, Yuk Bugs, and Prince's Nymphs.