Snake River Angler Fishing Report August 4th, 2014

Snake River
The Snake is on and fishing better than just about anything else in the region. All reaches of the stream are fishing well with dry flies, dry-dropper rigs, and streamers. There are still some moderate emergences of PMDs and caddis (the latter in the morning primarily), but this is in no way impacting the very good fishing being found just about everywhere in the Snake drainage. Imitations of grasshoppers are carpenter ants (both of which are frequenting the banks in greater numbers with each passing day) and attractors are producing best when fished along banks and structure, but they are also effective in riffles and when fished along seams. At times it might seem like these big bugs are the only game in town. However, mayfly dun imitations and imitations of caddis and yellow sallies are working at times when fished in the same holding water. Dry dropper rigs are producing along banks and in riffles and seams. The streamer fishing is as good as it has been since spring with big cutthroats chasing all sizes of baitfish imitations. Target banks, structure, seams, and confluence points, and then watch the magic.
Effective dry flies – Circus Peanuts (#8 to #12), Rubber Legged Double Humpies (#8), Will’s Winged Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Luna Negra (#8 to #10), Grape Magic (#8 to #10), Carnage Stones (#8 to #10), Parachute Hares Ears (#10 to #14), Parachute Extended Body PMDs (#12 to #16), Quigley Cripples (#12 to #16), Booty’s PMD Emerger (#12 to #16), Film Critics (#12 to #16), and Lime Trudes (#10 to #14).
Effective streamers – Booty’s Quad Bunnies, Sex Dungeons, Zoo Cougars, Murphy’s Bling Minnow, Butt Monkeys, Sculpzillas, Bow River Buggers, J.J. Specials, and Kiwi Muddlers.
Effective Nymphs – Lightening Bugs (#10 to #14), Psycho Princes (#10 to #14), Copper Johns (#12 to #16) in red, black, or olive, and Rainbow Warriors (#10 to #14).

South Fork
Much the same as last week – still fishing well but be prepared to work for your fish. All reaches have equal productivity although the upper sections in Swan Valley are fishing a little bit better than the lower portions of the river in the Canyon and below Byington. No pattern types are working any better than others. You can fish a hodge-podge of flies with equal effectiveness. Banks are still producing with larger attractors as trout key in on grasshoppers that are now frequenting the stream margins. But don’t be afraid to fish adult imitations of PMDs, caddis, and yellow sallies on banks and structure. These imitations are working in riffles and eddies as well as on seams and flats.
Below the surface, PMD, caddis, yellow sally, and stonefly larva imitations are producing in much of the same water as the surface imitations. As on the Snake, streamers are probably fishing as good as they have since spring on the South Fork. Target banks, structure, seams, and confluence points with fast to moderate speed retrieves.
Effective dry flies – J-Slams (#8 to #10), Chubby Chernobyls (#8 to #10), SRA Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Circus Peanuts (#8 to #12), Parachute Hoppers (#8 to #10), Dave’s Hopper (#8 to #10), Foam Wing Hopper (#8 to #10), Comparaduns (#12 to #16), Parachute Extended Body PMDs (#12 to #16), Quigley Cripples (#12 to #18), Booty’s PMD Emerger (#12 to #16), Pink Sulfur Emergers (#14 to #18), Lawson Sallies (#10 to #12), and Stimulators (#10 to #14).
Effective nymphs – Pat’s Rubber Legs (#8 to #10), Lightening Bugs (#12 to #16), Rainbow Warriors (#12 to #18), Psycho Mays (#12 to #18), Bruised Mays (#12 to #18), Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymphs (#14 to #18), and Hickey’s Auto Nymph (#16 to #18).
Effective Hickey’s Auto Nymph (#16 to #18).
Effective streamers – Sex Dungeons, Booty’s Quad Bunny, Silvey’s Sculpins, J.J. Specials, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, Tequilleys, and Lite Brite Zonkers.

Green River
Flows at Warren Bridge are just over 800 cfs. We have a little tougher fishing on the Green but the key is an early start and fishing hard from sunup until just afternoon. There is still a smattering of gray drakes, PMDs, caddis, and yellow sallies about but far fewer than a couple of weeks ago and most of these are concentrated in the morning hours. Banks and structure remain key targets throughout the entire morning and early afternoon. Riffles, eddies, and seams provide productive target water in the morning until about 11am. Morning can be good with dry flies and streamers. After 1pm, it is all about nymphs.
Effective dry flies – Extended Body Deer Hair Drakes (#10 to #12), Booty’s Gray Drake Emerger (#10 to #12), Parachute Adams (#10 to #16), Parachute Hares Ear (#10 to #14), Circus Peanuts (#8 to #12), Rubber Legged Double Humpies (#8), Chubby Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Turcks Tarantulas (#8 to #10), Booty’s PMD Emerger (#12 to #16), and Quigley Cripples (#12 to #16).
Effective streamers – Murphy’s Bling Minnow, Lite Brite Zonkers, Bow River Buggers, Sculpzillas, Arum’s Lil’ Kim, and Strung-Out Leeches.
Effective nymphs – Zug Bugs (#10 to #14), Nymphs Formally Known as Prince (#10 to #14), Copper Johns (#12 to #16) in red or olive, Booty’s Deep Stinker Nymph (#12 to #16), and Lightening Bugs (#10 to #16).

Salt River
Flows on the lower Salt are at approximately 600 cfs. These are good flows for this time of year and the Salt continues to fish pretty solid, although, as on the South Fork, you are having to work more for your fish. The hot spot seems to be between 10am and 3pm. Nymphing is producing best but there is good surface action with attractors and imitations of caddis and PMDs, which are the dominant bugs on the water. Tricos are starting to make a small appearance on the Salt, and these emergences should intensify as the month of August continues. Seams are fishing best, followed by eddies, banks, and riffles.
Effective dry flies – Circus Peanuts (#8 to #12), SRA Chernobyls (#8 to #10), Grape Magic (#8 to #12), JH-22 Stone (#8 to #12), Bi-Viz PMDs (#12 to #16), Parachute Adams (#12 to #16), Quigley Cripples (#12 to #14), Film Critics (#12 to #16), and Booty’s PMD Emerger (#12 to #16).
Effective nymphs – Prince Nymphs (#10 to #16), 20-Inchers (#10), Copper Johns (#12 to #16) in red or black, Rainbow Warriors (#14 to #18), and Bubbleback Pheasant Tails (#12 to #16).