Get your fish on!
Fly fishing here in Idaho in the spring is a whole lot of fun. Exceptionally nice weather conditions are going on now. The Henry’s Fork and the South Fork fish well in the spring on nymphs and streamers. Caddis hatches and midge hatches occur often too. Who doesn’t want to get out on the river after a long winter of cold weather? Warm days practically drive you to the water. Come get your fish on!
The South Fork fish numbers look good for the upcoming season. Are you ready? The following is from an article in the Jackson Hole News & Guide.
A fish count on the South Fork of the Snake River last fall showed more than 5,177 fish per mile, the second-highest number recorded since the mid-1980s.
An increase in brown trout helped boost the overall numbers.
Figures are closely watched by biologists trying to maintain a viable Yellowstone cutthroat trout population in one of the nation’s blue-ribbon fisheries.
In 1986, biologists counted a record 5,692 fish per mile in the South Fork, a stretch of the Snake in Idaho.
“Our estimates are pointing to good fishing to be had this year,” said Brett High, regional fisheries biologist for Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
These pictures of trout species that live in our local waters. You can find brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout in the South Fork. You will find rainbow and cutthroat in the Teton, and you will find all three trout species in the Henry’s Fork. While there are more trout species than I listed here, these are the ones in our waters. Got a favorite that isn’t listed? Leave a comment about your favorite below.
This brown trout picture was taken last fall on the South Fork of the Snake here in Idaho by our friend Jim Nelson.
Cutthroat trout are the only native species of trout in our area. All other species of trout have been introduced. This cutthroat trout picture was taken in 2010 by Jim on the South Fork of the Snake.
I downloaded this picture of a rainbow trout from iStockphoto. I just thought is was a cool photo. Also it is hard to get pictures of trout without a human getting in the way. (Notice the leader in the photo)
REXBURG, Idaho – The broad-based surveys showed Yellowstone cutthroat were the most widely distributed, and at 2 million fish, the most abundant trout in the state. Catch trends showed the trout were within 4 percent of the catch rates from 1980 to 2000. The findings showed the cutthroat population trends to be stable. “We also studied genetic purity,” Moore said. Those findings showed that Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations have their own genetic profile in each drainage studied. The research gave the agency a scientific basis for managing the trout to keep the populations steady.
Under its state authority, IFG has two ways to manage fish populations, Moore said. It can regulate the catch by setting seasons and limits and it can adjust the way it stocks hatchery fish. The research backs up the management decisions. And it was the push to keep the trout off the ESA list that provided the data. “In response to the data, we stopped stocking rainbows in high mountain lakes,” Moore said. That’s because the data showed nonnative trout, such as the rainbows, were the biggest threat to the cutthroat population. Catch limits and size limits were also put in place. Before the actions, the species was overfished with a 72 percent mortality rate annually. “Once we got the rules in place to protect the fish, catch is not a limiting factor,” Moore said.
Read more at Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Giant stoneflies are hatching on much of the Henry’s Fork. We noticed them coming out two days ago on June 1st. Fishing is just getting good on the lower sections as the bugs are making their way to dry land. Yesterday dry flies worked better than stonefly nymphs or other nymph patterns. We have seen some very big fish out looking for the bugs.
Give us a call to get out on the water and try your shot at a big beast.
The Idaho Fish and Game has recently published a report of the Teton River from a 2010 study. The department interviewed fishermen along the river. These anglers were asked to identify the trout species in the river, their catch rates and what fish were harvested.
Fish identification quizzes on the river’s bank indicated most anglers could identify trout species present in the Teton River. Rainbow trout were most accurately identified with 98% of the anglers correctly identifying them followed by Yellowstone cutthroat trout (94%), brown trout (81%), and brook trout (80%).
Angler catch rates were just shy of one fish per hour, and caught an estimated 53,761 fish. Catch was comprised of Yellow-stone cutthroat trout (40%), rainbow trout (22%), brook trout (27%), and mountain whitefish (11%).
Total harvest was low, at 1,183 trout – 98% of captured trout were released. Although closed to harvest, a small portion of the fish observed in anglers creel was cutthroat trout. Based on observations, 6% of harvested fish were cutthroat trout, 50% were rainbow trout, and 44% were brook trout.
Anglers spent nearly 57,000 hours fishing the Teton River in 2010. This is light fishing pressure compared to the neighboring South Fork which had over 233,000 angler hours in 2005. Over 80% of anglers were fly fishing, while 11% were bait fishing and 7% were fishing with lures. Anglers were most often fishing from a boat (71% of the anglers) instead of wading or fishing from the bank (29% of anglers), and most Teton River anglers were Idaho residents (60%).
Read more and download the recent IDFG report:
Upper Snake Region Annual Fisheries Report Activities and Accomplishments
I wanted to let you know what a great time we had at the lodge. Everyone enjoyed the fishing, the lodge, food and guides. From the beginers to those that had fished before, everyone caught fish and enjoyed themselves. I personally enjoyed fishing with your dad, that was a good time, and the Narrows fishing with Brian was a treat too. I have wanted to fish that section for a long time. Hunter Ford I have just returned from a trip to your lodge. Having never fly fished before, I was a bit leary of it, but I am happy to report that you guys have made a lifetime enthusiast out of me. Me and my two sisters and father enjoyed the daily trips on the river and the fishing turned out to be one of the best family outings our family has encountered. Staci Eagle I could not have imagined a greater experience for outstanding fishing, wonderful patience on your part teaching me to fly fish, and above all, world class service. My family and friends have heard about every minute and we are making plans to come again next year. The adrenaline rush of dry fly fishing is addictive and becoming an obsession. Rex Baldwin Your lodge was simply just great. We have spent time in a lot of places over the years but TVL has to rate at the top of the list for overall comfort and layout. It was just ideal for the fishing trip we had planned. Bill Hubbard I really needed the time away to relax and charge my batteries again, and the great outdoors you call home in Idaho really did the trick…I didn’t want to leave:) the beauty and stillness was one of the best trips I have gone on with Sysco…and I have been on a lot during my 11 years, this one was the BEST! Dave Felix We were all impressed by the quality of your guides. We have never experienced a group of individuals so committed to making our visit the most it could be for us. They were great instructors, coaches and guides. For that, you have our great appreciation and admiration. Bill Hubbard Outstanding day I was put on dozens of fish! The South Fork truly is one of the best fly fishing waters one could experience. My guide worked hard to make sure he was meeting my needs. You and your team have out done yourselves again. Rex Baldwin I just want to thank you again for all of your, Matt’s, Brian’s and everyone’s help and support for the Blue Ridge meeting. The fishing was great and all of you were great. Thanks. Have a good winter and we look forward to next year. John Cohen The combination of gorgeous scenery, your excellent staff’s efforts to please, and great fishing make it tough to imagine a more memorable and enjoyable experience. Tim Buckley I would like to say “WOW!” My son Andrew and I had a marvelous time again this year and the fishing was simply awesome. I would like to commend our guide, Jonathan Murray, on his knowledge, candor, and help in making our trip one of the best ever. Terry Wilkerson Bob Hanke and I have been coming to your lodge for something like 25 years. We’ve always had excellent fishing results and have never had a bad trip. However, the trip we had this year to the Henry’s Fork, specifically Bear Gulch, has got to be the best fishing day I have ever had, and I think Bob agrees. G.R. Post I will never forget the day spent with you on the Middle Narrows! Forty-four fish before stopping for lunch and seventy by the end of the day!! What an unbelievable experience! Dale Geisleman |
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