Idaho ·
South Fork Snake River Fly Fishing Report - July 5, 2026
SOUTH FORK SNAKE RIVER
ReportJUL 5 — 12, 2026
🌊
Flow
—CFS
🌡️
Water Temp
—
☀️
Weather
59–92°F
Mostly Clear
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Live USGS gauge data is unavailable for today's report, but recent intel confirms flows are rising yet fishable with strong trout activity across all sections. Expect a hot afternoon high near 92°F with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms after 3 PM — plan your day accordingly.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20
Stealth Link Mercer - PMD #20
#20
Split Case - PMD #14
#14
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs - Tan & Brown #6
#6
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12
#12
Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
#12
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
#16
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Pheasant Tail Tungsten #20
#20
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) | 16-20 | Heavy | 10 AM - 2 PM |
| Golden Stonefly | 6-10 | Moderate | 8 AM - 12 PM |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Moderate | 6 PM - 8 PM |
| Midge | 20-24 | Light | 7 AM - 9 AM |
| Terrestrials (Ants) | 12-16 | Moderate | 11 AM - 3 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Light | 4 PM - 7 PM |
Best Time Window
- 7 AM - 10 AM: Early nymphing with stonefly and PMD patterns in pocket water and riffle heads before the heat builds.
- 10 AM - 2 PM: Prime PMD dry fly and emerger window — work the riffle tails and flat seams with a size 20 PMD pattern for the best surface action of the day.
- 6 PM - Dark: Evening caddis and BWO rise on the flats; watch for rising cutthroat in the slower glassy water after the afternoon heat breaks.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith temps pushing 92°F this afternoon and storms possible after 3 PM, make your dry fly moves early — PMD hatches will be strongest from 10 AM to 2 PM in the riffles, and that's your window to be on the water with a dry or emerger. When the sun gets high and fish go deep, switch to a tight-line nymph rig and work the deeper slots and seams with a Frenchie or Pheasant Tail, keeping your drift at 18–24 inches off the bottom. Watch the sky closely after 2 PM; if you see anvil clouds building to the west, get off the water early — afternoon lightning on the South Fork is no joke in July. The evening caddis and BWO window after any storm passage can be exceptional, so be ready to get back out once it clears.
Main Species
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
