Jackson Hole Area Fishing Conditions Report
June Report
June is one of the most exciting months to fish around Jackson Hole. Runoff is tapering, flows are dropping, and fish are starting to feed aggressively as the water clears. While some rivers are still high, the windows for great fishing are opening fast.
The Snake River is shaping up nicely. Though flows are still above summer averages, visibility is improving every day. Fish are holding in side channels, back eddies, and along soft seams. Expect to see golden stoneflies, PMDs, and caddis by mid-month. Dry-dropper rigs are deadly right now—pair a Chubby or foam stone with a perdigon, rubberlegs, or caddis emerger.
The South Fork of the Snake River is steady and dependable. Nymphing remains the most productive strategy, but early dry fly windows are emerging on calm afternoons, especially with midges and BWOs still lingering. Yellow sallies and caddis are just starting to show.
The Green and New Fork Rivers are dropping quickly and fishing well. These rivers hold some of the biggest browns and cutthroat in the area during early summer. A well-placed hopper or Chubby Chernobyl, trailed by a tungsten nymph or rubberlegs, can produce explosive takes tight to the bank.
The Salt River is really coming alive. Flows are ideal for floating, and fish are starting to rise consistently to PMDs, caddis, and small attractors. It’s a great time to fish dry-dropper setups and take in the views of Star Valley.
The Gros Ventre is still running high from snowmelt, but lower sections may fish well by late June with streamers or deep nymphs when the flows stabilize.
May Report
May brings warmer days and rising rivers. Runoff season is here, but there’s still good fishing to be had if you know where to look.
The Snake River is high and off-color most days, but side channels and backwaters can still produce with stonefly nymphs and streamers. Focus on slower water near the banks and fish deep. It’s not prime time yet—but the fish are in there.
The South Fork remains the most consistent option, with steady flows and clear water below the dam. Nymphing is the go-to—rubberlegs, midges, and Baetis patterns are working well in seams and deeper runs. Expect fish to be spread out, but steady action is there for those who work for it.
The Green and New Fork are rising fast. Conditions change daily, but these rivers can be productive on cooler days or when flows level off. Try big stoneflies, flashy nymphs, or even streamers tight to the bank when visibility allows.
The Salt River has short windows of clarity and opportunity, especially on cooler mornings. Dry-dropper rigs with small attractor dries and tungsten nymphs are your best bet.
The Gros Ventre is full of snowmelt and mostly blown out for now, and Flat Creek remains closed until August. For a dependable option, head to the Bighorn River near Thermopolis—clear water, steady flows, and active trout make it a great escape this time of year.
April Report
Spring is slowly settling into Jackson Hole, and anglers are starting to find windows of great fishing between cold snaps and rising flows. While conditions vary day to day, April offers some of the most overlooked opportunities to target wild trout before runoff hits full force.
The Snake River is fishable on clearer days, with flows around 2,800 CFS and visibility holding up to a few feet depending on snowmelt. Expect to see midges and blue-winged olives (BWOs) on overcast afternoons—perfect conditions for dry-dropper rigs with small emergers and soft hackles. Fish are holding in softer seams and inside bends as water temps slowly rise.
The South Fork of the Snake continues to fish reliably as a tailwater, with steady flows near 9,000 CFS. Subsurface tactics dominate—think rubberlegs, small Baetis nymphs, and midges in deeper troughs and drop-offs. As the month progresses, streamer action can pick up on warmer days.
Over in the Pinedale area, the Green and New Fork Rivers are breaking free of ice but still see variable clarity. These rivers fish best with larger stonefly nymphs and streamers, especially when water color turns. Watch for isolated midge hatches or early golden stones in side channels.
The Salt River offers short windows of clear water and decent afternoon action with small nymphs and attractor dries. Meanwhile, the Gros Ventre is running high and cold—best to keep an eye on flows before committing.
Flat Creek remains closed until August 1st, but the Bighorn River near Thermopolis is a great spring option. It’s running clear and consistent, with solid nymphing and occasional dry fly opportunities.