Season:
Our operating season typically runs from May to October. Early season fishing opportunities run from late March to May, with late season running through November and December. The early and late season options can be a great time to be on the water, and you may find yourself alone with just the fish to keep you company.
Species:
The Snake River cutthroat domain provides a unique fishing adventure that delights local anglers and visitors alike. Few other river systems maintain a healthy, wild, strain of the native trout as does the Snake River and its major tributaries such as Pacific Creek, the Gros Ventre, Hoback, Buffalo, Greys and Salt Rivers. Over a dozen different cutthroat trout subspecies survive in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and Great Basin. Biologists agree, the Snake River cutthroat subspecies rank as the strongest, heartiest, and best-fighting member of this easy to recognize trout family.
Snake River cutthroat’s exuberance for surface feeding is so well documented that dry-fly fishing the Snake River enjoys a storied heritage. Cutthroat spawning activity is monitored by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists to ensure the continued health of the Snake’s trout population without stocking. Beginning in February and stretching into July, various Snake River cutthroat strains spawn at different times in their natal creeks. The most resilient Snake River subspecies come from the Bar BC spring creek adjacent to the Gros Ventre River—a dominant trout recently propagated in Jackson’s National Fish Hatchery on the National Elk Refuge. The Bar BC cutthroat display amazing growth and acclimation to streams in other parts of Wyoming as well as in North Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Region/Terrain:
Over the rim, south of Jackson, you’ll leave the Columbia River drainage behind to greet the Colorado River tributaries, the Green River and its smaller tributary, the New Fork River. These two trout-rich streams flow from lakes and headwaters in the Wind River Range and meander past wagon ruts created by settlers crossing the Oregon Trail.
The Green River (once known as the Spanish River) was originally called Seeds-ka-dee (or big sage grouse) by the Shoshone. It was well-traveled by explorers and trappers who harvested beaver pelts across the Rocky Mountains. Today, anglers use the same waterways to pursue brown trout, rainbows, and several cutthroat trout subspecies. Sometimes twisting, sometimes barreling motocross-like, these rivers cross high plains and sweeping meadows, a rich ecosystem that provides fish with stoneflies, caddis, grasshoppers, and mayflies.
Further west, the Salt River rises from a spring river near Afton, southwest of Jackson, and provides habitat to both brown and cutthroat trout. The Salt River is enjoyable because of its more intimate surroundings including eagles, waterfowl, and wildlife. Resident river brown trout spawn from October through November, while brown trout from Palisades Reservoir spawn in the Salt from December through January. The Salt River is a wonderful dry-fly fishery. Wyoming Angling Company also has a U.S. Fish and Wildlife permit to guide Flat Creek in the National Elk Refuge. Right outside our hometown of Jackson, Flat Creek is a wonderful spring creek with big fish and amazing views.
Typical Weather:
Summer weather in the Inter-mountain West consists of warm days reaching into the ’80s and cool nights dipping into the ’40s. Weather can move quickly, so it’s always important to bring rain gear in case of summer showers. However, our guides are always well-equipped with plenty of extra foul weather gear. Water temperatures in the summer are cool, comfortable for wet wading. A hat and sunscreen are necessary for protection from the bright sun and the reflection off the water. Spring and fall months can be quite cold in the mornings and warm by the afternoon. You may be even lucky enough to see some snow in our early and late seasons.