Teton and Warm Rivers are the stars of the show here. Warm, sunny PMs may be “numbered” in both places, but during these times terrestrial insects as well as caddis life cycle patterns will be effective. Recreational floaters are diminishing on the Teton in the Basin and none exist on Warm River, especially just downstream of Warm River Spring where tranquility thrives. Cloudier days will bring out BWOs in good numbers on both rivers.
Warm River Spring
Most of our tributary streams are down to base levels meaning fish are moving to larger waters to seek better overhead cover. However, some of the larger streams, not impacted by irrigation draw down, are good choices to visit.
The Teton River remains in great condition, and recreational floater numbers on the river in the basin are down. BWO, caddis and mahogany duns are active especially during overcast conditions. Fish are responding to these, and this is taking place along the entire river. Terrestrial insect will be active during warm days until a killing frost takes place.
Lower Teton River
Warm River also offers good fishing from Warm River Spring down to the cascades and on through the lower river with BWO, caddis, and, on warm er days, terrestrial insect activity.
The Buffalo River offers excellent BWO activity and easy wading around the campground reach..
In most head water streams fish are now moving to larger water to find better overhead cover. Large beaver ponds that offer generous depth are also havens for fish, and even this time of the season can offer good fishing. Leach patterns are always effective in these ponds, and terrestrial insect patterns can be the same.
Teton River in the basin offers some good fishing because of ongoing PMD, caddis fly and terrestrial insect activities. Recreational traffic is decreasing as summer transitions to fall.
Warm River Spring
With respect to the insect activity mentioned above for the Teton River, the same is ongoing in the Warm River below Warm River Spring downstream to the top of the cascades. There will be no recreational boaters here and fewer anglers. Thus this part of the river offers a better chance of solitude than present on the Teton River in the basin.
It is kokanee run-up season on Big Elk Creek and many folks are trying to catch them . Most are doing it using legal methods; some are not. IDF&G is present in plain clothes, so if you see any illegal methods being practiced, try to get information to pass on to them, Kokanee will not interfere with cutthroat trout responding to western green drakes emerging higher up on the creek.
Bear and Palisades Creeks in the same area are fishing well with cutthroat responding to drifting terrestrial insect traditional attractor, and caddis life cycle patterns.
The Teton River in the basin offers good fishing for those presenting caddis and PMD life cycle terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns. The weekend “plastic hatch” can be overwhelming during mid-day hours, but is diminished during mornings and evenings. Fishing in canyon waters is slower during daytime hours when high air temperatures predominate.
Bitch Creek upstream of State Highway 32
Consider trying Bitch Creek: it is less visited by anglers and recreational floaters are few. There is access above State Highway 32. Yellowstone cutthroat trout predominate in the clear, cool water and they go after terrestrial insect, traditional attractor, and caddis life cycle patterns .
Some of the best small stream action is during afternoons on Big Elk Creek when western green drakes emerge. You will see other fly fishers there, but no plastic canoes! Palisades Creek also offers good fly fishing. Nowhere as many PM western green drakes are present, but terrestrial insects and caddis flies abound. A renegade pattern in sizes 12-14 is very reliable for action here.
We are in the throes of the summer dog days and so the water in so many of our streams is as warm as it will get. So being caught and released under this condition is extremely stressful for salmonids. Only in winter are conditions more stressful for them So consider such as using stronger leaders through which a hooked fish can be played more quickly. After one is landed, try not to remove it from the water at all. Revive it best by facing it totally immersed upstream to get a good flow of water over its gills. Continue this as long as required for increasing it chances of being revived to be enjoyed at a later date.
Flow out of Grassy Lake is being stopped. This action will lower Fall River and warm its water in Idaho enough to make fishing best early and late in the day. Big Elk Creek’s afternoon western green drake has begun, but as with other South Fork tributaries, terrestrial insect and caddis fly life cycle patterns are also producing. Currently the river in Teton Basin offers very good fishing with PMD activity, caddis and terrestrial insects being of interest to trout.
Palisades Reservoir tributaries are at base level flows with caddis life cycle, terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns, dry and wet, producing. Western green drakes should be significant on these waters soon.
If you travel to Teton Valley via State Highway 31 from Swan Valley, expect some delays because of two construction areas on the west side of Pine Creek Pass. The Teton River is fishing well with PMDs in full emerging swing and terrestrial insets making near-bank presentations very effective throughout the river in the valley. Weekends and mid-days will bring on a number of recreational floaters. Some are being guided by professionals.The river below the basin will be warmer because of the canyon heating during daytime hours. Beware of rattlesnakes here if you venture away from the river.
Warm River Spring
Warm River just below Warm River spring offers more tranquility than many area small streams. Mainly caddis-stone fly water here it also offers a small number of PMDs and a growing number of bank-side terrestrial insects.
The Teton River in the basin is fishing well for dry fly enthusiasts with PM caddis activity and spinner falls providing late in the day action. PMDs, sallies, and a few green drakes and golden stone flies are around. Our comments on recreational boating traffic on the Henry’s Fork apply to these waters as well. Dry fly fishing in the canyon via the Bitch Creek Slide, Felt Dam, Spring Hollow and the dam site is also good, with streamer patterns also producing. Be fully aware of rattlesnakes if you venture past stream-side locations in the canyon.
Palisades Reservoir tributaries (Bear, Big Elk, McCoy Creeks) and Palisades Creek are in good fishing shape with caddis life cycle, terrestrial insect and traditional attractor patterns working well.