Snake River (Wyoming)

The Snake River in Wyoming is one of the most visually spectacular fly fishing destinations in the American West, flowing through Grand Teton National Park with the jagged Teton Range rising dramatically above its braided channels. The river's upper section between Jackson Lake Dam and the town of Wilson offers outstanding float fishing for fine-spotted Snake River cutthroat trout, a unique subspecies found only in this drainage. These beautifully marked fish are aggressive surface feeders, and during the prolific summer hatches of pale morning duns, green drakes, and caddis, the Snake provides dry fly fishing that is as good as anything in the Rocky Mountain West.

The Snake River's braided, multi-channel character creates an ever-shifting mosaic of side channels, gravel bars, and deep pools that provide habitat diversity few rivers can match. Float trips are the primary method of fishing the Snake, as the braided channels make wading difficult and the best water changes with each spring's runoff. The river's flow is heavily influenced by Jackson Lake Dam releases, with the most fishable conditions typically arriving in late June or early July after the spring runoff subsides. From that point through October, anglers enjoy exceptional fishing with the added bonus of encountering moose, bald eagles, osprey, and the occasional grizzly bear along the riverbanks. The Snake's combination of native cutthroat trout, world-class scenery, and abundant wildlife makes it one of the most memorable fly fishing experiences in the entire country.