SNAKE RIVER
The tailwater reach from Jackson Lake Dam down to Pacific Creek is showing much more clarity compared to last week but you still have to work for your fish. Nymphing is the name of the game for most part with mayfly imitations taking the majority of the fish, although there has been some action on smaller (#10) stonefly imitations. Callibaetis are still emerging and if you get lucky you can get into surface action with #12 to #16 dun imitations, but you really do have to get lucky.
Effective nymphs – Pats Rubber Legs (#8 to #10), BH Hares Ear Nymphs (#10), Lightening Bugs (#10 to #18), Copper Johns (#12 to #18) in red, Rainbow Warriors (#14 to #18), San Juan Worms.
Effective dry flies – Parachute Extended Body Cahills (#12 to #16), Comparaduns (#12 to #16), Furimsky BDEs (#12 to #16).
SOUTH FORK
Flows are starting to ramp down and we currently stand at 13,000 cfs. The latest word from the Bureau of Reclamation is that we will be holding at this level well into the summer. We are still nymphing for the most part and getting fish on standard turd-and-worm tandem rigs, but other nymphs are starting to produce as well. The upper reach in Swan Valley and down through the Canyon to Cottonwood is still offering the most productivity. Keep nymphing and throwing streamers, but rest assured that surface action is just around the corner.
Effective nymphs – Pats Rubber Legs (#4 to #8), San Juan Worms, Nuclear Eggs, Veiled Eggs, Lightening Bugs (#10 to #12), Copper Johns (#10 to #12) in red.
Effective streamers – Quad Bunnies, Bow River Buggers, Sex Dungeons, Silvey Sculpins, Murphy’s Bling Minnows, Arum’s Lil’ Kims, Double Bunnies.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Lewis and Yellowstone lakes – Both are fishing very well and might be offering the best fishing in the Park at the moment. Water temperatures are close to ideal and trout are being taken on a variety of patterns and sinking lines. Flats are the key targets at the moment where one can cast to cruising browns, cutthroats, and lake trout. Drop-offs and tributaries/springs also have some action. Floating, hover, and intermediate sink lines are best at the moment, although 10 to 15 feet of T-8 and T-11 can be used in deep portions of these lakes. a variety of retrieves are working, but moderate retrieves of one to two feet in length are probably best for baitfish imitations, slow hand twist retrieves for scud, Mysis, and mayfly imitations. Productive patterns include Clouser Minnows, Lite Brite Zonkers, Mohair Leeched, Woolley Buggers,Oil Can Scuds, Mayer’s Mysis, Hula Damsels, Ultra Damsels, and Callibaetis Soft Hackles.
Firehole River – Still fishing quite well with nymphs and, at times, on the surface as trout rise to caddis and mayflies. The lower reaches are experiencing some emergences of salmonflies and yellow sallies. Productive nymphs include Copper Johns in red or olive, Psycho Princes, Bubbleback Pheasant Tails, Soft Hackles, Lightening Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Batmen, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymphs, Hichey’s Auto Nymph, and Biot Bugs. Productive dry flies include U-Cons, X-Caddis, Parachute Extended Body Cahills and PMDs, Booty’s PMD Emerger, Film Critics, Rusty Spinners, Quiglet Cripples, and Sally Emergers.
Lewis River – Slowly we are starting to see more surface action on the lower reach from Crayfish Creek down to the confluence with the Snake. It is limited, but caddis, gray drakes, and PMDs are being taken off the surface. Nonetheless, it is primarily a nymphing , in riffles and seams and along banks and structure. Productive dry flies include Parachute Extended Body PMDs, Comparaduns, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis and Parawulffs. Productive nymphs include BH Hare’s Ear Nymphs, Pat’s Rubber Legs, BH Dark Stones, Sparkle Stones, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Foxy Sallies, and Copper Johns.