Fly Fishing: Outside Yellowstone National Park - July - South Fork of the Snake

When to Come and What To Expect:

Fly Fishing: Outside Yellowstone National Park – July – South Fork of the Snake

The South Fork of the Snake usually clears from the Spring runoff by the first of July but it depends on the snow pack for the year. The flows will usually be high, up to 20,000 cfs. Most of the fishing should be done from a drift boat. There are a few places the stream can be waded, mainly the feeder creeks and a few others with high water, but you need to pay close attention to the water. It can be very dangerous.

The Salmonfly hatch starts in late June and moves upstream. By the middle of the month it is usually taking place in the upper section of the sixty plus mile river. It offers some great dry fly and nymph fishing. Along with the huge Salmonflies, you will find plenty of Golden Stoneflies and Little Yellow Stoneflies, called Yellow Sallies. They too, provide excellent dry fly action.

The Pale Morning Dun mayfly hatch starts about the middle of the month, continuing the dry fly action. The PMD hatch will last about all summer long and is the largest and most consistent mayfly hatch on the South Fork of the Snake.

Towards the end of July, the Spotted Sedges and Little Sister caddisflies begin to appear. Late evening in late July, you can find plenty of trout feeding on the egg laying caddis and well as those emerging.

July isn’t the best month to choose to fish the South Fork, but it is a good one and should be one of the alternatives you consider for July. We do recommend a drift boat and for the high water, we think you should use a local guide until you become familiar with the water.