The South Fork of the Snake River

One of Amerikas' very best trout waters and maybe the best cutthroat stream in the world is the Snake River below Palisades Dam in Idaho.  After the big flood in 1997 that washed away bridges and banks many believed the Snake to be destroyed and the fish killed, but it turned out the other way. New life was given to the river and it is even more beautiful than before. In addition to that the gravel was cleaned and new spawning grounds were provided. All this contributed to the excellent trout populations.

The South Fork of the Snake near Swan Valley

The Snake is a river of quite a size that you should float if you want to get to the full experience. Most river banks are covered with bushes and trees hanging into the water and the best gravel banks and runs are not accessible through wading.This means bank fishing is not possible in most parts of the rivers.

There are of course accesses to the river, too, but you have to cross private land which means that you have to ask the land owners first to get to the water. Because hundreds of people ask for access every year it might be difficult to get the permission.

Near Swan Valley there are excellent banks holding lots of good cutthroats and rainbows. If the water level is normal the dry fly fishing there is marvellous.
 
Slow and deep runs hold thousands of whitefish, too. If you run into such a schoal of fish every single cast will be a hit. Bead heads hare's ear nymphs in tan colours are best choice. They cannot withstand them. In the riffles you can get them on dries, too. You just have to be sure to have a small CDC fly on otherwise you will have lots of takes but you are not able to hook the fish. The fishing for mountain whitefish is just perfect for beginners because they will be 100% successful in catching fish and especially for beginners success is the keyword.

Float fishing provides the best fishing in the Snake River. The fees for a float trip are about USD 350.-/day(guide included). If the larg salmon fly(stone fly) hatch is on "chuck & duck fishing" is the way to get the largest fish. You fish with "double X" flies and present them close to the banks and under the bushes with a "splash". As soon as the nymph toches the water near the place where a trout is hiding, the trout attacks it immediately. Jack Parker, one of the top guides at the Snake River told me that on excellent days more than 200 trout were caught on one boat with many of them in the 20 inch range and larger.

Although "chuck and duck" fishing is the most successful method during the salmon fly hatch not everyone is fond of it. It is a very difficult way of fishing, because perfect presentation is necessary. In addition to that it needs well trained muscles to perform it the whole day long. Good "chuck and duck fishing" means that the fly is presented and lifted again every five seconds, while drifting along the banks. Even for a skilled flyfisher it makes sense to have a rest at one of the beautiful gravel banks from time to time to relax a little bit, by doing some dry fly fishing with smaller patterns and longer drifts.

Streamers, especially Bunnies are a good choice at the Snake as well. The "Double Bunnies" are said to be inventions of Snake River anglers. Zonker patterns work well in this river, too. Especially the large browns go for them. They won the "one-fly-contest" several times. This crazy fly fishing event is fished at the Snake. To participate you have to pay a entrance fee of USD 2000.-. During the time you fish you are only allowed to use one single fly. If you loose it by breaking the line, ... you have to quit and the game is over.

sunset at the Snake River

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