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South Fork of the Snake River Fishing Report 5/21/30

If it’s Thursday it’s time for this week’s fishing report into Memorial Day Weekend. For the first time this year we saw the flow out of Palisades Dam drop from 15,500 cfs to 11,500 cfs this morning.  With Palisades Reservoir drawn down to 69% capacity, water managers must be feeling pretty good that they have enough storage capacity to hold the runoff.  As is typical this time of year, time will tell.  For now, 11,500 cfs is just about a perfect flow and will be much more manageable to fish and row in this weekend.

We’ve had several guides out on the river each day this week with guests and a few guides “training” for the upcoming season.  Pictured above is our newest guide Harry who joins us from Chico California.  Fishing has been very good this week and all Spring for that matter with the fish really responding to the little amount of pressure they’ve had so far this year.

Tactics and techniques remain the same until we start seeing some dry flies in around a month.

  • Nymphs – Big stonefly nymphs such as Pat’s Rubberlegs or Cheater Belly Stones are the bread and butter right now trailed by a midge, BWO, San Juan Worm (pink!), or an egg pattern. Our shop manager Shayde said – “Turds and worms”
  • Streamers – Focus on slow, deep, and even water that isn’t moving.  (Reminder from above: focus on the slow water.)
  • More on Eggs – Rainbows and Cutthroats are both spawning in the river right now and all the fish in the river will eat an egg.  Remember to stay off any spawning beds (reds) if you see them but if you do see them, fishing below them with an egg pattern can be effective and a great way to catch and keep some rainbows if you’re into it.  Keep your eyes open as you float over shallow gravel bars with smaller sized gravel that the fish like to build their reds in.

Our fly shop is open daily 8-5.  If you have questions about fishing, lodging, shuttles, licenses, flies please give our fly shop a call at 208.483.2222.

Have fun fishing!