Snake River
Flows from Jackson Lake Dam currently stand at approximately 2,000 cfs. The Snake is low and gin clear and almost in perfect condition except for warm water temperatures, which fly fishers need to keep an eye on. The primary emergence at the moment is PMDs in the afternoon. There will be a smattering of caddis in the morning. Other bugs that are out and worth imitating are grasshoppers and craneflies.
There is little consistency as to the time of day when production is occurring. What is certain is that most water will be active, including riffles, seams, eddies, confluences, side channels, troughs, banks, and submerged structure. Pay attention to whether or not faster currents and fishing better than slower currents. There has been a trend of fast currents being better in the morning and slower currents dominating the afternoon hours.
Streamers have been producing well and are completely worth fishing. However, and as with dries and dry droppers, there has been little consistency regarding time of day when action is best. One could argue that it is leaning towards 11am ans into the afternoon. Clearly, there is better action on moderately sized baitfish imitations. Fish these on floating lines or short sinking tips in the INT to 3ips range. Downstream presentations are outperforming other retrieves. Target banks, structure, riffles, troughs, seams, and deeper eddies. Focus primarily on slower currents.
South Fork
Flows from Palisades Reservoir are at approximately 12,200 cfs. Although still safe, water temps are in the mid to upper 60s on the mid to lower South Fork, slowing action a bit in the afternoon. More importantly, anglers should try and fish responsibly by landing fish quickly and keeping them wet as much as possible. PMDs are the prime emergence on all reaches (starting around 11:30pm and going until 4pm), although there is still a smattering of caddis and yellow sallies about from time to time. Riffles, seams, troughs, and side channels are the prime holding water to target in the afternoon. Banks and structure, eddies, and troughs are active in the morning with nymph rigs, as are parallel drop-offs.
Streamers are still working well, although focusing on the right water will pay dividends. Banks, submerged structure, troughs, confluences, and the inside turn of riffles are fishing best. Moderately sized patterns are performing better than larger patterns, although the latter are getting into noticeably bigger fish. Go with floating lines with heavily weighted flies or sinking tips in the 3ips to 6ips range that are 7 to 12 feet in length.
Flat Creek
The Refuge reach of Flat Creek opened on August 1st, and production has been as solid as it usually is in the first couple weeks of August. There have been possibilities on small and moderately sized attractors (Chernobyl variations, Stimulators, Double Humpies) and grasshopper patterns along banks and in eddies. Terrestrials like Foam Beetles, Power Ants, and Galloup’s Ant Acid, are doing the same, although to a slightly lesser degress. There is better action on midge adult and emerger patterns in riffles, seams, eddies, and along banks and structure. Nymphs – especially Pheasant Tails, Zebra Midges, Perdigons, RS-2s, Lite Brite Soft Hackles, Psycho Princes, Jujubee Midges, and Two Bit Hookers – are doing even better in the same water. Keep in mind that crane flies have been out in good numbers, and Lucent Crane Fly Larva and Mop Flies can work well at the head of riffles and seams and along undercut banks and submerged structure.