The Lodge at Palisades Creek, ID

Lodging, Meals, and Accommodations:

The lodge has nine guest cabins that can be made in to two twin beds or one king size bed. They have open floor plans with full private bathrooms. The rooms do not have televisions or phones. Everyday when you return from fishing there is a bucket of ice, two small bottles of wine, bottled water, mixed olives, cheese and crackers.

Our premier rental is "The A-Frame". This two bedroom two bathroom house sits on the river. The large spacious deck is over the river and offers unparalleled views. It is truly spectacular. The cabin named “Jane's” is a duplex, separated by a locking door and is great for families. Each side has its own private bathroom and “Jane A” has two twin beds while "Jane B" has a queen. The “Office Condo” is located only a few feet from the lodge where we dine. Guests with a handicap or those who don't want to walk the hundred yards to our lodge prefer this quaint location. All cabins have decks, tables, and chairs for relaxing after a day of fishing. After dinner, guests can wander to the "Liar's Den" for a cigar or game of pool. The only TV on location is here, as well as a fully stocked bar, pool table, and a full library of books and games. This elegantly appointed room has been termed the ultimate Man Cave and a place where you can easily enjoy with your spouse or a group of friends.

Sample of Typical Itinerary:

The lodge day starts in the cowboy breakfast bar. We serve breakfast from 7-9 a.m. We offer a light continental breakfast bar as well as a daily special prepared by our chef. We also prepare anything our guests desire as we have no formal breakfast menu. The guides arrive at the fly shop at 8:00 a.m. Guests wander over to start the day soon after. From the shop your guide will chauffer you to the river. He will launch the boat and tend to your every need whether it's casting instruction, reading the water, changing and tying flies, or how to approach feeding fish. We offer fantastic river lunches. The day usually ends around 6:00 p.m. and your guide will bring you back to your private cabin. There you can "freshen up" and head up to the lodge for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dinner. Dinner usually offers salad, homemade bread, two entree choices and dessert. The lodge is all inclusive so your meals AND beverages are included in the price of your stay.

What is Provided to Customer:

We have a full fly shop on location that has everything you might need to enjoy your trip on the river. Rod and reel combinations are available for rent at $20.00 a day. You always want to have sunglasses and a hat as well as sunscreen. If you forget yours we have them available for you here. Flies are included in the price of your stay. We have clothing, rods, reels, leader, tippet, sunglasses, insect repellant and souvenirs for sale here.

What Should Customers Bring?

Remember to bring a camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat that stays on in the wind, zip off pants, a light jacket. Wading boots and waders are nice for early and late season. Rain gear is a good idea as well, just in case. July and August we wet wade, so felt bottom sandals or boots will work. Or, any kind of water shoe works well.

On-site Activities:

On site activities include great hiking and mountain biking (bring your own bike). We also offer massage services when requested. We have a resident population of hummingbirds and wildlife can be photographed at anytime.

Off-site Activities:

There are a couple of outfitters we work with for horseback riding adventures near to the lodge. We also work with independent whitewater rafting companies in Jackson Hole for great rafting adventures on the upper Snake just 30 miles away. Jackson Hole is about 65 miles from the lodge and is a great rainy day shopping option. We have had some guests really enjoy the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience as well. Here a trained and qualified instructor works with your group to provide a safe experience shooting all types of firearms. Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are also within a day’s drive and can be part of your stay with us (it is best to rent your own car when considering this option). Scenic plane rides and glider rides are offered at the Driggs Reed Memorial airport in Driggs, Idaho about 40 miles from the Lodge.

Species You Fish for by Season:

In the spring we target rainbow trout by nymph fishing. This holds true through June. The dry flies generally show up in July, August, and September. There only a few rivers in the world that compare to the dry fly fishing on the South Fork of the Snake. During the dry-fly season we will see rainbow, cutthroat, hybrid cutbows and brown trout mixed in with a white fish here and there. Fall offers the chance to catch a trophy brown trout on a streamer. Our brown trout tend to live in the lower stretches of the river. We see hatches of large and small golden stones, salmon flies, PMD's, caddis and mutant golden stones. There is a short window of drakes and skwala's in June as well.

Date Range:

The Lodge at Palisades Creek offers guided fishing all year around. The Lodge and cabins open around May 1st and stay open through October.

Region/Terrain Where You Fish:

The South Fork of the Snake River has average summer flows of 8,000 cubic feet per second. This is primarily a drift fishing river. There are spots to wade fish, however they are best accessed by boat from the river. We guide on a 46 mile stretch of the river from Palisades Dam to the Menan Buttes. There are many accesses on the river to launch a drift boat. We are allowed 12 boats a day on the river. Though this is considered a large river our guides are very experienced at navigating and safely providing a memory of a lifetime. With the large river comes large fish!

Typical Weather by Season:

The lodge offers guided fishing all year. The Lodge itself opens around Memorial Day weekend. One can expect a full range of weather from below freezing temperatures a night to well in to the 70's during the day. As July approaches, our days lengthen. Sunrise around 5:00 a.m. and sunset around 10:00 p.m. The western pattern of dressing in layers is crucial. The mornings and evenings are cool (40's) and daytime temps are often 80 degrees and above. Summer weather is dry and hot. The fall, starting in September brings cooler evenings and the chance of showers. The leaves begin turning in late September and peak the first week of October. Waders and wading boots are necessary in the spring and fall. We often wet wade, with just wading boots or sandals, most of the summer.

Where are the closest airports?

The closest airports are Idaho Falls, Idaho (IDA) which is 47 miles away and Jackson Hole Airport, about 70 miles away. We have relationships with shuttle companies for both airports. You will be charged for your transportation to and from the lodge.

Who is it customary to give gratuities to?

Gratuities are paid to the guides directly. They hope for $75-$100 a day. This may be handled at checkout or given in person at the end of your day. We encourage bringing a bit of cash for the guides. Lodge staff gratuity is collected when you check out. 15% is customary.