Snake River Fly Fishing

Most people picture the Snake river when thinking of Wyoming fly fishing.
Wyoming fly fishing creates images of the Snake river winding through the Jackson hole area with the Teton Mountain range in the background, towering above the valley. They picture wild cutthroat trout and world class dry fly fishing. When you see images like this, it’s no wonder the Snake is considered an ultimate fly fishing destination.
Snake river in fall
The Snake river is one of the most scenic fly fishing destinations on earth. The Snake starts in Yellowstone National Park and runs about 35 miles through the park before it flows into Jackson Lake. The Snake then flows from Jackson dam through Jackson Hole and eventually into Palisades Reservoir on the Wyoming/Idaho border.
The upper portion of the snake offers great Wyoming fly fishing without a lot of pressure. This is especially true in the canyon near where the Heart river joins the Snake. The canyon offers good pocket water fishing for cutthroat ranging 12 to 15 inches. You won’t find much competition there because it takes a pretty good hike to get there.
The Snake’s most popular stretch of water starts below Jackson Lake Dam. From Oxbow bend down to state highway 22 and beyond. This stretch of river is famous for it’s dry fly fishing and . These fish seem to love large bushy dry flies, and they fight hard.
This lower section of the Snake offers some wading opportunities but is best fished from a boat. You’ll want someone on the oars that has some experience because the Snake can get pretty wild. the native Snake river (small spot) cutthroat . These fish seem to love large bushy dry flies, and they fight hard.
This lower section of the Snake offers some wading opportunities but is best fished from a boat. You’ll want someone on the oars that has some experience because the Snake can get pretty wild.
The Snake gets full and muddy during the spring from the run off. In mid August the flow calms, water clears and the hatches come off. The best fishing will run from mid August through September and into October.
The Snake river, with it’s strong native cutthroat trout and excellent dry fly fishing deserves a look. Throw in the world class scenery of Yellowstone and the Tetons, and you’re in for some real blue ribbon Wyoming fly fishing.