Small Streams
SMALL STREAMS
ReportThe Teton River in the basin remains a good choice for fly fishing, but be wary of recreational floaters. Dry-dropper rigs such as a small nymph trailing a hopper pattern are quite effective. If water temperatures approach 70°F anywhere on the river, give trout a break and resume fishing in the evening when waters begin to cool and caddis become active. Play and release those trout gently. From Hog Hollow downstream, tiny BWOs are active during early daytime hours with caddisflies active in the evening.
Warming waters have caused Wyoming Game and Fish scientists and managers to place a voluntary hoot owl restriction on the Snake River from the Yellowstone Park boundary to Palisades Reservoir. The same restriction is applied to Flat Creek, which opened for fishing on August 1st. Palisades Creek is one of the slowest to warm because of cool subsurface water coming in from Lower Palisades and Upper Palisades Lakes. Caddis lifecycle, ant, hopper, and traditional attractor patterns work well here — think #14 Renegade!
Big Elk Creek's afternoon western green drake hatch is ongoing in a big way. Kokanee are coming into the creek but do not interfere with dry fly fishing. Snagging them is illegal and IDF&G patrols the creek looking for violators. Bitch, McCoy, and Bear Creeks are in good dry fly conditions with terrestrial insect and caddis activity resulting in feeding trout. Pine Creek beside the highway gets hammered.
Fishing in the upper Blackfoot River has slowed considerably because of very low flow and high water temperature. Birch Creek remains good fly fishing because of numerous springs flowing into it.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) | #20–22 | Early morning, Hog Hollow downstream on the Teton | Morning |
| Caddisfly | #16–20 | Active evenings on the Teton and Palisades Creek as waters cool | Evening |
| Western Green Drake | #12–14 | Ongoing afternoon hatch on Big Elk Creek — big time | Afternoon |
| Grasshopper / Terrestrials | #12–14 | All-day on Teton, Palisades, Bitch, McCoy, and Bear Creeks | Midday–Afternoon |
| Ant | #14–16 | Consistent terrestrial activity on Palisades Creek and surrounding small streams | Midday |
- EARLY MORNING (first light to 9 AM): Target the Teton from Hog Hollow downstream with tiny BWO dries (#22 Parachute BWO) before temps climb.
- AFTERNOON (2–5 PM): Head to Big Elk Creek for the western green drake hatch — it's described as ongoing and happening big time right now.
- EVENING (6 PM to dark): Switch to caddis patterns on the Teton and Palisades Creek as water temperatures drop and fish resume surface feeding.
