The South Fork is finally back to normal flows. I gotta say it is somewhat strange to see the river at the 9000 level. It had been so high for so long. Fishing has been improving over the past couple weeks and should only get better.
The South Fork is finally back to normal flows. I gotta say it is somewhat strange to see the river at the 9000 level. It had been so high for so long. Fishing has been improving over the past couple weeks and should only get better.
A few photos of some recent catches and some happy fly fishermen. The South Fork and Henrys Fork are both fishing well. The South Fork is high but we are catching good numbers of fish. Several anglers have stated they have caught more fish this season than any other. The Henrys Fork is having terrific bug hatches of green drakes, golden stones, mayflies and caddis.
Have you heard the rivers in our area are blown out? Well they aren’t. The South Fork is flowing at or near it’s historical mean. The river fished quite well, on 6/29/11, even better than the Henry’s Fork. Small and medium sized golden stoneflies are beginning to hatch.
The Henrys Fork is flowing higher than its average for this time of year, but that is a good thing. The Henry’s Fork for several years has been lower than ideal at this time of year. The level of the river right now is fantastic.
The only river right now that is quite high is the Teton River. It is still not as high as it was in 1997. We don’t plan on fishing much on the Teton in the next week. There are however a couple stretches fishing ok right now.
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
There are north flowing rivers in the United States. Two rivers that flow north in the United States are the Teton and the Snake rivers in Idaho. When we think of rivers in the northern hemisphere, we assume they all flow south. It makes sense, to us south is down.
The lowest point in Idaho is the Snake River at 710 ft. This is right near the town of Lewiston. The Snake River in Idaho is made up of the Henry’s Fork and the South Fork of the Snake which meet up outside of Idaho Falls. The elevation of Idaho Falls is 4744 ft. The beginning of the Snake in Wyoming which makes the South Fork is at about 7400 ft. The Henry’s Fork begins at 6398 ft.
As the Snake makes its way from Idaho Falls it travels a bit south and then the river flows west across the entire state of Idaho. Outside of Twin Falls the river begins to turn to the north west. West of Boise, the capital of Idaho, the Snake makes a sharp turn and makes its way north up through Hells Canyon and onto Lewiston. The Snake then makes its way west into Washington where it joins the Columbia River. The river then makes its way west to the coast of Oregon.

Image from Wikipedia
The Teton River begins in Teton Valley Idaho. While much smaller than the Snake River, it does flow north for nearly half of its length. This river is a spring creek that is formed by many many springs at the south end of Teton Valley. Near the confluence of Fox Creek the Teton is formed. Generally the river begins at the White Bridge. The Teton river makes its way through the valley being fed by smaller streams. When the Teton river reaches Bitch Creek, it turns sharply to the West and makes its way to the Henry’s Fork near Rexburg Idaho.
Have you got some other rivers to add to the list? Comment below.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 |
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