No Matter the Season, is Jackson Hole Fly Fishing?

 

Contrary to popular belief, the fall and winter months in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, provide ample opportunities for the avid angler to have successful, adventurous, fun days on the water. Being prepared having the right fly fishing gear for late fall and early winter days on the river.  Gear will make or ruin your perfect days on the river. Let's start with the outer layer. Wind, Cold, or Snow Squall you need a good down jacket like the Nivalis Down Jacket, which is the only waterproof down jacket on the market.  Fishing Gloves in the colder climates is a must, the SFT Neoprene Gloves, are waterproof for the best choice.  We will cover rods, reels, fly lines, flies and waters later on. 

Jackson Hole Valley, home to three incredible ski areas: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort, has a Town Square featuring arches made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe, and the stunning peaks nestled within the Grand Teton National Park, as well as the vast Yellowstone National Park, should all be categorized as “wonders of the world.”

For anglers, however, Jackson Hole is also the place they call home no matter what the season happens to be. Despite the limitations of cold temperatures and winter weather conditions, many of the major fisheries in Jackson Hole remain ice free and sustain healthy populations of actively feeding fish. In fact, with the help of amazing guides like the Jackson Hole Anglers, a well-equipped fisherman can enjoy success on prime stretches of waterways that see very little pressure during the winter months.

For Fly Fishing, however, Jackson Hole is also the place they call home no matter what the season happens to be. Despite the limitations of cold temperatures and winter weather conditions, many of the major fisheries in Jackson Hole remain ice free and sustain healthy populations of actively feeding fish. In fact, with the help of amazing guides like the Jackson Hole Anglers, a well-equipped fly fisherman can enjoy success on prime stretches of waterways that see very little pressure during the winter months.

Angling Opportunities and Fly Fishing Gear

In addition, when learning about the proper fly fishing gear, fly fishing clothing, and flies needed during the cold weather, instruction on the perfect tactics for success fly fishing  can easily be learned when working with one of the guides that live in Jackson Hole, or getting a map and exploring on your own.  Snowbee's Prestige G-XS 9' 5# as an all around good fly rod for the Snake, Hoback and other stream around Jackson Hole area. No madder what your fly reel choice is the  THISTLEDOWN2   Fly Line to be the best choice you could make.  The nano coating adds unbelieve control for precision casts with nymph and dry fly.  Does very well with a heavy streamer, too.  

When it comes to the water you can always enjoy, the major rivers offering year-round fishing include the most popular Snake River. The Snake is primarily a cutthroat trout fishery, and the main stem in the valley is open for catch and release fishing on a year round basis. In addition to the cutthroat fishery, winter anglers can also target lake trout on the Snake below Jackson Lake Dam in Grand Teton Park.

 South Fork of the Snake River is another winter option, offering a large population of rainbow and brown trout. In addition, Henry’s Fork is a viable winter fishing option, known to be filled with larger specimens of the rainbow trout during winter months. 

Upside to Winter Angling

Winter angling truly has its upsides; after all, cold weather causes the streams to lower, opening up a slew of wading options that are not available the rest of the year. When it comes to trout tactics for autumn and winter, the standards are tried-and-true when catching winter varieties of fish; nymphs, streamers and dry flies are all productive methods. Learning about the ways in which trout feed and behave in low water levels and low temperatures increases success ten-fold. Because trout are cold-blooded, their metabolism lowers during the winter season; the fish still feed, but they let their food come to them instead of expending their own energy in order to hunt. More often than not, while fishing in Jackson Hole you will see the fish collect into groups at prime feeding stations which allows the angler to read the water, look for slow, deep runs with good structure and visible current seams, and start having a ball while amidst the most beautiful scenery imaginable.

Read other features on fly fishing or browse Snowbee Gear

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