Idaho ·
Snake River Fly Fishing Report - August 16, 2026
SNAKE RIVER
ReportAUG 16 — 23, 2026
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Flow
5340CFS
SNAKE RIVER AT MOOSE, WY
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Water Temp
61.7°F
Updated 2026-08-15
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Weather
42–76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Snake at Moose is pushing 5,340 CFS at 11.21 ft gauge height with a comfortable 61.7°F water temp — flows are slightly elevated from last week's report but clarity remains excellent, making early-morning sessions the sweet spot before afternoon storm cells build.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
#12
Bionic Hopper - Purple #12
#12
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
#16
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Brown #12
#12
Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Olive #20
#20
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Egan's Frenchie #12
#12
Tungsten Rainbow Warrior - Extra Heavy #14
#14
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
#6
Egan's GTI Caddis - Olive #12
#12
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grasshoppers | 10-14 | Heavy | 10 AM - 2 PM |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Moderate | 7 AM - 10 AM |
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | 18-20 | Moderate | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive | 20-22 | Light | 1 PM - 3 PM |
| Ants / Terrestrials | 14-18 | Moderate | 11 AM - 3 PM |
| Midges | 20-22 | Light | 7 AM - 9 AM |
Best Time Window
- 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Prime dry-fly window with caddis and PMDs on the water; fish terrestrials tight to shaded banks as the sun climbs.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Peak hopper action along grassy cutbanks — work the Bionic Hopper hard before afternoon storm cells build.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Pre-storm BWO flurry on flat tailouts; switch to a Parachute BWO on fine tippet and get off the water before lightning arrives.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 5,340 CFS the Snake has plenty of push, so position your boat to work the inside seams and willow-lined banks where fish stack out of the main current. Launch early — by 7 AM if you can — to capitalize on cooler 61.7°F water temps and the morning caddis and PMD activity before the sun gets high. Watch the sky closely after noon: today's 40% storm chance means afternoon cells can pop fast, and a brief cloudburst will trigger a short but productive BWO flurry in the flat water below riffles. If you're wading, stick to the upper braids near Moose where the channels split and current speed is manageable at this flow.
Main Species
Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
