South Fork Snake in Swan Valley

pimpinmeat · Jun-28-2007, 10:43 AM

I should have posted this a awhile back but I got busy. I'm spending a week in Irwin at a buddies place right on the river, I have a drift boat at my disposal, where should I go. I also want to spend a day or 2 in Yellowstone and Teton National parks and plan on doing some fishing there. Henry's Lake could also be an option as well as Hebgen Lake, the Madison, and Henry's Fork. It's my understanding that fishing is awesome where I'm staying but I like seeing the country so I would like to check things out.

Joni, you probably have a lot of knowledge about this area, any advice would be great. My buddy knows the Snake well but I don't want to fish the same water every day, if you know what I mean.

Thanks, Junior

flygoddess · Jun-28-2007, 01:10 PM

I hear you on wanting to tey different waters. Hebgen and Quake can be awesome at evening with HUGE brown Gulpers. Henry's would be fun in the evening or early morning. As you probably already know, Henry's is a very shallow lake so the heat of the day could be tough.
As far as rivers I love places like Buffalo, Coffee Pot with bright read Koke swimming around your legs, not sure if they will be turning colors when you are there. Three Dollar Bridge is also a favorit of mine. A big dry indicator and a black haresear about a #10 or #12 dropper about three feet down and hang on!

When are you Heading! I have also had good luck at Last Chance with a simple Elk Hair Caddis. The Caddis Hatch gets thick as heck up there.

Mel-S · Jun-28-2007, 02:26 PM

When are you going to be in the area? That has a huge bearing on where to fish. Right now things are a little smoky here because there's a fire west of Pinedale, WY and also a fire about 2 miles north of West Yellowstone.

Joni the kokanee start their spawning run out of Island Park Res. during August.

pimpinmeat · Jun-28-2007, 02:28 PM

I'm on a plane tomorrow afternoon. I might get lucky and catch the stone fly hatch on the Snake, Hebgen Gulpers would be fun, and Three Dollar Bridge is a great idea.There's some awesome scenery on that drive up there. I've been to Hebgen and The Maddy a couple times, just never this late in the year. I've heard of Coffee Pot but I think it's to early for spawning Kokes. Do I need float tubes for Henry's? I'm sure there are places to rent stuff like that. Quake is a cool looking lake, I was told by a guide a few years ago there are some big browns in there, with your conformation it might be something to check out. I'll do some research on all your suggestions and thanks for the input.

Mel-S · Jun-28-2007, 02:33 PM

Fishing is good on the South Fork right now with some salmonflies and lots of PMD's. Henry's Lake has been slow fishing. The last report I got from the Madison is the fishing was great right now. Although you can expect smoke in all these areas depending on wind and what the current fires do..and if anymore pop up.

pimpinmeat · Jun-28-2007, 02:37 PM

Thanks Mel, a little smoke wouldn't bother us. I'll only be able to take the boat out on the Snake so everything else we do we'll be wading.

Mel-S · Jun-28-2007, 02:40 PM

Good luck and have fun. BTW -sometimes it's more than a little smoke. I haven't been able to see the mountains for a few days now.

Mel-S · Jul-01-2007, 09:13 AM

Smoke hasn't been too bad last couple days. The wind has changed and they're getting a handle on a couple of the fires.

TheShark · Jul-01-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel-S

Smoke hasn't been too bad last couple days. The wind has changed and they're getting a handle on a couple of the fires.

Thank goodness.