The South Fork of the Snake River is known for its dry fly fishing
South Fork fly fishing with dry flies really gets going at the end of June when huge salmon fly and golden stone hatches break out on the river. These hatches move up the stream and last until late July. The next major hatch is the PMD hatch which starts out around the 4th of July and runs through the month of August. And August of course means hoppers. Grasshoppers are out in strength through out the month of September. Then at the end of September the Blue Wing Olive hatch comes out in force. Long story short, from the time we start to guide the South Fork to the end of the season there is not a day that dry flies are not hatching or a day that fish are not eating them.
Snake River is large with lots of room
With over 60 miles of river to float, and average flows of 10,000 cfs, there is plenty of room to fish. TVL floats 6 different sections of the South Fork with two private accesses. No matter how many other fisherman are on the river there is ample space and fish for all. In fact, guests of the lodge can fish a different section of the river each day of their stay.
South Fork Snake River [video]
The South Fork of the Snake River has big trout
There are truly big fish on the South Fork Snake River. A good average fish is 16 inches, but fish over 20 inches are common. The biggest in 09 was 29 inches and the biggest in our memory was caught by Head Guide Tom Fenger and weighed in at 22 pounds! Browns, Rainbows and Cutthroat. They all grow big on the South Fork.
Beautiful, interesting river stretches
This is an exciting river to fish. Every where you look there is a great spot to place a cast. Log jams, riffles, side channels, back waters, undercut banks and more. You name it the South Fork’s got it. This is a fun river to fish. And the scenery is breathtaking as well. Join us on the South Fork. It will be fly fishing time well spent.
Browns now dominate the lower 30 miles of the South Fork Snake River.
If you love browns like we do, try the lower section of the South Fork. This is the finest dry fly fishing river in the West. No other river is consistently as good day after day, all season long. From the third week in June with the monstrous Salmon Fly Hatch, to the Chernobyl Ant Hatch that lasts into the middle of October, we enjoy fantastic dry fly fishing every day.
Our definition of a great dry fly river is every time you look up there is a great place to cast a dry fly. This defines the South Fork, and it’s exciting water. If you have never fished this river, you have not fished “The Best in the West”. Once you have, you will wonder why you did not come to Teton Valley Lodge sooner.
South Fork water management is very good
The river flows out of Palisades Reservoir. It has a pretty consistent flow rate all season. South Fork water management is very good. The upper stretch is a long straight section with a good salmon fly and PMD hatch. As the water reaches the lower stretches of this float, the water breaks up into channels with lots of wading. For the next 50 miles the river is braided, and gets more channels as it travels west through the secluded canyons toward Idaho Falls. The flows are heavy in the South Fork usually running 8,000-12,000 cfs. This is not your typical wading river. Access is limited since roads do not follow the river and there is a lot of private property on the upper section. So, almosteveryone floats the river to gain access to great bank fishing and to the hundreds of riffles.
The South Fork of the Snake River has prolific hatches of big flies and hoppers, and that is what brings up the huge trout
There are times when mayflies are out strong and we will fish sizes 14 to 18 parachutes for giant fish. However, it is the big flies that make the South Fork so unique. Rainbows, browns and cutthroat all have very strong numbers in the river and all grow to world class size. You are going to love fishing this river the Teton Valley Lodge way. No one does it better.
If you have not fished the south fork with Teton Valley Lodge you have not fished the South Fork of the Snake River the way it is meant to be fished. Our guides reign supreme here, putting you into numbers and sizes of fish you never dreamt of. Call early to make your reservation.
