The Lodge at Palisades Creek Home

Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing

Welcome to the Lodge at Palisades Creek, The Finest Fly Fishing in North America

In the southeastern corner of Idaho near the Wyoming border, The Lodge at Palisades Creek is spectacularly set at the confluence of Palisades Creek and the mighty South Fork of the Snake River. We are proud indeed of our reputation as one of the finest fishing lodges in the "tail water" section of the Snake River, one of the richest trout streams in North America.

The hallmark of our lodge is world-class fly fishing, luxuriously rustic cottages, the prestigious Orvis endorsement, and great barbeque dinners served outside on a big deck over the casting pond and the magnificent, pristine Snake River.

Our new, ironically named "Liar's Den" is located near the Orvis Tackle Shop and features a bold stone open bar fully stocked with single malt scotch, the best whiskeys, and tables for pool and poker. We look forward to welcoming you to our Lodge in the upcoming, exhilarating summer season which runs from June 6th through September 26th.

Patricia and Marshall Geller - Owners

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Fall Fly Fishing Update August 30th, 2010 Dry fly fishing can be hit or miss this time of year on the South Fork, but with the great water year we have been having the bugs just keep pouring off. We are still seeing Golden Stones, both our famous stubby winged “mutants” and their full winged flying cousins. A great hatch of caddis, the daily hatch of PMD’s start at 12:00 each day, and throw in some terrestrials (Can you say hoppers, ants, and beetles!) I told some clients the other day the hardest thing is deciding what to fish. My go to set up has been a small black flying ant with either a PMD or a caddis behind it…deadly. All sections of the river are fishing strong with several of our guides floating as far as Menan and when in doubt float the from the Dam to the lodge in the afternoon.

It should only get better from here with cooler nights and days prompting more bugs to hatch and the hopper fishing will just get better and better for the next 3, maybe even 4 weeks. We still have some availability in September so give us a call 1-866-393-1613.
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The river keeps fishing very well August 4th, 2010 OK, here we are August 4th. The river continues to fish well, especially after noon. Large golden stone patterns with a lightning bug is a winning ticket. South Fork Sallies and pmd emergers working well in riffles as well. The fish are getting smarter. 5x is probably a good idea and a good presentation will help also. If you can, fish late. We sell a lightning bug from Orvis that seems to be irresistable. Here is a great picture of Rollie, one of our great up and coming guides, and Mr. Kott with a beauty caught recently.Read More


The river is on fire!!! July 24th, 2010 Ther salmon fly hatch is at our A frame on the river. Talk about late and great. The fishing is incredible. All sections. Calm winds and blue skies prevail. Managing a lodge with happy guests and guides is fun. PMD emergers are popping in riffles in the afternoon. Bugs are getting plowed on the banks. Fishing on the South Fork of the Snake is at it’s prime. These are the days we wait for all winter. Call us!! 1-866-393-1613. We are offering a 25% discount for our September reservations. This should be a banner year for late season fishing. Water levels are high and steady, a perfect recipe for hoppers and big fish!!!   Read More
The salmon flies are here and so are all the other tasty bugs July 14th, 2010 Underwater Snake River Cutthroat TroutThe crew coming in late everyday. The Chef is working late. The bugs are happening and the fishing is awesome!! All insects seem to be emerging. South fork sally’s, pmd’s, salmon flies, and golden stone’s all starting to emerge as adults shortly after noon. The last section to turn on is the upper section coming out of Palisades dam. Only a few days away. Give us a call, we have a few spots open every day. Get it while it’s good!  Read More

Snake River Fly Fishing Guides
First Salmon Flies for 2010 July 8th, 2010
The fourth of July and the nymphs are crawling to the banks July 4th, 2010 Hot off the press. It is Sunday July fourth. Even with high flows, 15,800 cfs, we are seeing tremendous salmon fly nymph movement in the middle of the canyon and below. FINALLY, dry fly action mid day on drakes. Lots of drakes also in the mid canyon areas and below. We have NOT seen many dry Salmon Flies,………yet. It as hourly observation at this point. The guide reports of salmon fly nymph activity suggests we should see a great hatch. They are seeing big numbers of nymphs about 3 feet deep in the water coloumn uinder rocks but not on the banks yet. This might suggest another two days untill surface activity increases. Also, the Franklins Gulls are staged and waiting. This is something that triggers any guides anticipation. Fish stonefly nymphs 4 feet deep off the banks that are 4-6 feet deep.

Chris ‘Jigidy’ Jensen

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A slow start to dry flies June 30, 2010 Mrs. I just finished up six days on the river. Fishing was very good this last week. There are lots of nymphs getting ready to hatch and the fish are eating Stonefly nymphs, Bead Head Yellow Sally Nymphs, Green Drake nymphs, and the unstoppable San Juan Worm. Most people come to fish the South Fork for the world famous dry fly fishing, those days aren’t here yet but they are literally days away. The Bureau of Reclamation plans on dropping the river to 13,000 cfs by this weekend and combined with temperatures well into the 80′s we should see a lot more dry flies over the 4th. If you are interested in booking a trip or just need some information about the river and the current conditions give us a call 866-393-1316. Thanks,

Chris ‘Jigidy’ Jensen

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How it goes with the flows June 25, 2010 Here is how it goes with our river flows. The river continues to fluctuate. We are steady for the third day in a row at 16,300 cfs. The river is clear. Repeat, the river is clear. This has allowed for great fishing. We remember in the past that these flows can result in large fish on the line. The reservoir system is at capacity. We are still at the mercy of run off from the Yellowstone area. We are not dry fly fishing, yet. We are hours away, literally a few days. Nymphing with stonefly’s and small golden stone patterns has been effective. We are putting 6 to 10 boats out a day. Most heading down to the lower parts of the river. The best hatch is the mosquito. Still cool mornings and chance of showers is our weather pattern. The general feeling is that the Salmonfly hatch should still be substantial. When is the question. A 56 degree water temperatures is the answer. Warmest reading so far is 48 in the lower stretches.

Justin Hays

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The water is coming down! June 15, 2010 The flow out of Palisades has dropped from 23,000 cfs to 19,000 cfs and we should continue to see the water come down. As the water drops the temperatures will increase and we should start to see our first Salmon fly nymphs crawling out on the lower river any day now. Can’t wait for bugs!

See you on the water,

Chris Jensen

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Room For Run-Off June 10, 2010 The river has changed dramatically in the last few days. Click the link to see the water charts…fishing remains productive!
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Memorial Fishing Report June 1, 2010 We had several boats out for the weekend both on the upper stretch and in the canyon. Fishing was fair on streamers, but excellent on nymphs. I fished with my Dad for his birthday yesterday in the canyon, we fished San Juan worms with a variety of Blue Winged Olive nymphs and caught a lot of fish in the riffles. It was encouraging to see the fish moving into their summer holding spots and out of the slow deep winter pools. The fish were living in all the spots you would expect them to. With the flow now stable at 9,000 cfs look to see more excellent nymphing in the coming weeks and as the water warms steamer fishing will pick up as well. The water is still too cold for Salmon Flies, I would expect to see the nymphs starting to move around at Lorenzo in another 3 weeks, maybe sooner if the weather really warms up.
See you on the water,
Chris Jensen
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Dining #tab1
Accommodations #tab2
Guided Fly Fishing #tab3

The Lodge at Palisades Creek Dining

The dining experience here in Irwin, ID can only be described as 'A unique fine dining experience set along side the blue ribbon fishing waters of the South Fork of the Snake that is second to none'. Our executive Chef, Bob Swanson prepares fresh, regional cuisine to prefection each and every evening. Non Guests please call for reservations: 1 866.393.1613 orClick for More Info

The Lodge at Palisades Creek Accomodations

The Lodge at Palisades Creek offers two accomodation options: The Riverside House & our Private Cabins. The Riverside House is a large spacious get away that can provide a luxury, rustic stay for parties up to Eight. The Private Cabins are a well appointed seculuded cabin just for you and a guest.
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Guided Fly Fishing Trips on The South Fork of the Snake River

Fly fishing the South Fork of the Snake River with our professional guides is an experience you will not soon forget. Our guests travel to the Lodge yearly to get away and have a fishing trip of a lifetime. With Yellowstone Cutthroat, Rainbow and Brown Trout, we are ideally positioned on this Blue Ribbon Fishery to show you and your guests why the tug on the end of your line is so addictive.Book Fishing Now