Angling for the Hot Spots
Story by Paul Bruun
Photos by Bob Woodall
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Within a 200-mile radius of northwest Wyoming many of the nation’s most sought-after freshwater trout waters are found. The big news in Jackson Hole Country for 2004 is that both Wyoming and adjacent Idaho fisheries managers have allowed year-round fishing access to the upper reaches of both states’ portions of the popular South Fork of the Snake River.
For Wyoming fishermen this means that after the conclusion of the long standard trout “harvest” fishing season (April 1-October 31) on the Snake, catch-and-release trout fishing will continue from Nov. 1 to March 31 on the state’s largest Blue Ribbon Stream.
In an effort to protect resident native trout strains from growing rainbow trout intrusion, Idaho biologists recommended and implemented a year-round catch-and-release regulation on the Snake’s cutthroat population while allowing the unlimited harvest of rainbows.
Fishing season dates on various waters in states surrounding Yellowstone National Park may vary slightly but a majority of waters are fishable by Memorial Day weekend. Yellowstone Park now requires purchase of a fishing permit, available from visitor stations. Check park as well as state regulations to avoid waters closed to protect spawning species.
River and stream levels vary throughout the summer because each drainage runoff timetable is different. Anglers may target low-lying lakes during the early river runoff periods. Higher altitude lakes often are not free of ice until sometime in June/July, so plan hikes and pack trips accordingly.
Visitors focused on fishing should also be aware of storms, insects, and bears. Higher elevation weather conditions change rapidly. Carry an extra fleece jacket, insulated vest, and sturdy rainwear. A sharp drop in temperature accompanies fast-moving mountain storms that dispense chilling winds and possible combinations of rain, hail, or snow. Graphite rods are exceptionally attractive to lightning so stop fishing during thunderstorms.
Biting insects are present especially in irrigated ranchlands and locales which harbor standing snow melt during the early season. Repellent and full coverage clothing are helpful. Keep a current aerosol pepper spray dispenser handy whenever fishing in bear country (which is just about everywhere). Remember that bears like to fish, too.
REGIONAL FISHING
DESTINATIONS
JACKSON HOLE
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Biologists implemented a year-round catch-and-release regulation on the Snake’s cutthroat pop |
In addition to its own excellent fisheries, Jackson is surrounded by other great angling destinations. Many base in Jackson and make day-fishing trips outside the valley. Although portions of rivers like the Hoback, Salt, and Greys are open year-round, the Snake is the state’s largest Blue Ribbon River and major attraction fished by most anglers.
Easily accessible lakes like Jackson, Jenny, Leigh, and Grassy are usually ice-free by mid to late May and fish well from shore until the warmer days of July arrive. Deepwater trolling becomes popular until Sept., when fish will again be found shallower. Lake trout or mackinaw that may reach 50 pounds as well as cutthroat trout thrive in these deep lakes. Lewis and Shoshone lakes near the South Entrance of Yellowstone are excellent brown and lake trout fisheries that can be fishably accessed from late May through the end of October.
Once the Snake clears, the water is high and swift throughout the summer until mid-Sept. A steep gradient makes wading challenging, so the Snake is best fished by floating. The native cutthroat is exceptionally enthusiastic about dry flies and also chases streamers, nymphs, and spinning lures. Grasshopper fishing in Aug. and Sept. is a cherished part of the Snake’s anthology.
Other favorite Jackson rivers more suited to wading are the Hoback, Gros Ventre and Buffalo, as well as Flat, Cottonwood and Pacific creeks. The Hoback provides a giant stonefly hatch in early July. After it clears in July, the Buffalo fishes well into late Sept. Flat Creek in the National Elk Refuge is a challenging fly-fishing-only stream that opens on Aug. 1. An extensive section of this stream meanders through Jackson and features a Kids’ Only regulation.
CODY
This East Yellowstone Entrance community named for the famous Wild West personality offers a variety of lake, reservoir, and stream fishing. Cody anglers enjoy a variety of insect hatches emerging from the North Fork of the Shoshone. This popular river creates the productive Buffalo Bill Reservoir and offers rainbows, cutthroats, and browns. Lake trout are also abundant in Buffalo Bill. Be sure to note Wyoming G&F regs for Apr 1-July 1 spawning closure on portions of river and reservoir.
For both rugged beauty and excellent fishing, Wyoming’s only federally proclaimed Wild & Scenic River, the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone, is a short drive from Cody.
Located within easy hiking access to the fabulous Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212) are numerous wilderness fishing lakes. Get local fly shop recommendations to a variety of high lakes where cutthroat, golden, and rainbow trout are available to fly and spin fishermen after late June. These lakes are excellent float tube waters.
WEST YELLOWSTONE
Surrounding the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, this area is the jumping-off point to many legendary Western rivers including the Madison, Henry’s Fork, Yellowstone, Firehole, Gallatin, and more. The eagerly anticipated and widely acclaimed salmon fly hatch on the Lower Madison begins in late June and continues through July.
The Firehole, America’s most unusual trout river, is fed by Yellowstone’s great geysers, fumaroles, and thermal springs. A similar resident rainbow and brown trout population also flourishes in the Madison in the park, where excellent mayfly and caddis hatches thrive until hopper fishing takes over in Aug. By mid-Sept. spawning fish from nearby Hebgen Lake move upstream in this system, providing exciting action until park fishing closes in early Nov.
Speaking of Hebgen Lake brings to mind that the various arms of this extensive fishery offer some of the area’s finest dry fly fishing beginning in mid-July. During the morning calm, trout locally termed “gulpers” cruise between surface blankets of tiny “Trico ” mayflies, sipping constantly. A little later, the Tricos are joined by larger Callibaetis mayflies as the trout party hits high gear.
The Yellowstone River inside the park (with a few tributary exceptions) traditionally opens on July 15 to a flourish of caddis insect action. This is a truly superb fishery for large Yellowstone-strain cutthroat that are willing risers for a variety of fly imitations. The river provides an exceptional range of catch-and-release fishing opportunities. Numerous insect types are present and enjoyable to watch as the daily trout menu constantly changes.
Yellowstone Lake offers a fine opportunity to pursue its native cutthroat not only from boats and float tubes but from the bank as well. Spinning and fly fishermen enjoy success from many beaches and shores along adjacent park roads and parking areas.
PINEDALE
Lying 85 miles south of Jackson but situated at a higher altitude, this Old West ranching community offers a variety of west slope hiking/horse packing trail entrances to the splendid Wind River Range and its endless collection of trout-filled lakes. The Green and the New Fork rivers begin here and flow south where they ultimately join near the “Nation’s Icebox,” Big Piney.
High prairie subtly camouflages exceptional fishing for browns and rainbows in both the Green and smaller New Fork. Below its Green River Lakes beginning, the upper Green features extensive public access areas and campgrounds. Upstream from the Warren Bridge, which crosses the Green on U. S. Highway 189/191, are a number of BLM access areas. Downstream from here the river is confined to mostly private lands, dotted with a few public access points. Floating is popular on both rivers beginning in early July when they clear. Check local shops for access information.
The Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. continues to successfully reintroduce once-native cutthroat subspecies to many Pinedale, Daniel, and Big Piney tributary streams as well as the Green itself.
A special angling treat is found in Meadow Lake below Pinedale in the Wind River foothills. This is home to grayling, the unusual trout-like fish that wears an extremely large dorsal fin highlighted with delicate red/purple spotting. Grayling willingly sip small flies and tiny spinning lures. Also vehicle accessible are Soda and Willow lakes, which provide excellent float tube and small-boat angling opportunities.
SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO
Giant stoneflies and other exceptional aquatic insect hatches historically highlight fishing experiences on the Henry’s and South Fork of the Snake River. Fed by Big Spring and Henry’s Lake, the Henry’s Fork near Last Chance, Idaho, is renowned for its salmon fly hatch that begins around Memorial Day. This river’s prolific insect hatches attract trout lovers from all over the world who enjoy challenging its selective rainbows.
The South Fork, which begins in Wyoming and then crosses into Idaho above Palisades Reservoir, is the country’s largest native cutthroat and trophy brown trout fishery. Despite being such a sizeable river, anglers are frequently required to use delicate fishing skills to fool its abundant fish. Both rivers have local outfitters and fly shops or may be accessed by Jackson Hole outfitters.
Paul Bruun has edited several newspapers, founded the South Fork skiff drift boat company and served on the Jackson Town Council during his 31 years in Jackson. He operates his own fly fishing float trip service, writes the weekly Outdoors column in the Jackson Hole News&Guide and contributes to outdoor magazines.
Copyright 2004 by FPI (Focus Productions, Inc)., P.O. Box 1930, Jackson, Wyoming 83001. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publishers.
Mountain Country is a free visitors’ guide published annually in May and distributed at hundreds of locations throughout Jackson Hole, Cody, and other regional communities. To receive a copy in the mail, send $5 to Mountain Country, P.O. Box 1930, Jackson, Wyoming 83001.
Publishers: Bob Woodall & Wade McKoy, dba Focus Productions, Inc. (FPI)
Editors: Mike Calabrese, Wade McKoy, Bob Woodall
Art Direction & Ad Design: Janet Melvin
Advertising Sales:
JACKSON: Ike Faust, 307-690-5908, 307-733-6995 email: mail.focus@wyom.net
DUBOIS & PINEDALE: Janet Melvin 307-733-6995
CODY: Guy & Barb Hull 307-527-7808