Snake River Fishing Guides and Conditions, Wyoming

About the Snake River

The Snake River through Jackson Hole is the postcard float of American fly fishing and, more usefully, one of the few large western rivers where a native trout still dominates. The Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat is aggressive, opportunistic and willing to eat a large dry fly all summer, which is why so many guided days here are spent throwing chubbies and foam attractors from a drift boat rather than nymphing.

The river changes character in sections. From Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek it is a controlled tailwater with clear water and heavy summer float traffic, much of it scenic rather than fishing. Pacific Creek to Deadmans Bar is braided, fast and full of logjams, a reach where guides earn their fee at the oars. Deadmans Bar to Moose is the classic run under the Teton front. Below Moose the river opens through the South Park water and then into the Snake River Canyon toward Astoria and Alpine, where whitewater and fishing overlap.

The Moose gauge is the one everybody watches. Dam releases from Jackson Lake drive it, and it changes fast when the Bureau of Reclamation adjusts flows for downstream irrigation. Roughly 2,500 to 5,000 cfs makes for comfortable, well-defined fishing water; much above that and the braids get pushy and the fish move to the banks; much below and the channels get thin and rocky. Because the river braids, a channel that floated fine last week can be blocked by new wood this week.

Jackson is the base for nearly all of it. Boat traffic in July and August is heavy, permits and launch etiquette matter, and the weather can turn from summer to winter in an afternoon. Grand Teton National Park regulations apply on the upper reaches.

Access

Jackson Lake Dam: top of the river, park access with a ramp.
Pacific Creek Landing: park boat launch, start of the braided water.
Deadmans Bar: park ramp, the put-in for the classic Teton float.
Moose Landing: park ramp at the gauge and Craig Thomas Visitor Center, the standard takeout.
Wilson Bridge and South Park Bridge: county accesses on the valley floor below the park.
Astoria and West Table: canyon accesses used by both fishing and whitewater outfitters.
Grand Teton National Park requires boat permits and an inspection for aquatic invasive species.

Seasons

April and May: early season on the lower river, high and cold up top, runoff building.
June: runoff peaks; most guided fishing moves to the tailwater reach below Jackson Lake Dam.
July through September: the main season, big dry flies, cutthroat looking up, heaviest float traffic in July and August.
October: the best month for many guides, low clear water, hopper leftovers and streamers, first snow on the Tetons.