WYOMING: Jackson Hole | Sheridan
MONTANA: Billings | Bozeman
COLORADO: Denver
IDAHO: Boise | Driggs
OREGON: Hood River
NEBRASKA: Oshkosh
GEORGIA: Atlanta | Albany
TENNESSEE: Chattanooga
AAA’s April/May issue of Journey magazine featured a photo of the Yakima Canyon Ranch in an article by fly fishing aficionado Michael Hamilton. The photo was taken at Big Horn, the uppermost part of the Yakima Canyon Ranch and is the top spot for boat launching onto the Yakima River for quality fly fishing, which is known for its ‘blue ribbon’ trout stream. Check out the article here.
Planning a trip to the West can be a daunting task especially when you are an angler trying to wade through the many options available in the region. As a local in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley for nearly 20 years, an avid fly fisherman, drift boat owner and Broker for Live Water Properties, I make a living selling trout streams. The knowledge of these regional fisheries and successful days on the water is important to my livelihood and mental well being. Understanding stream flows can help you decide when to visit and when to fish.
Knowing the hatches and having the right bugs in your box is a large part of the equation, however discerning when to fish each river can be the tricky part. For most anglers in the region, a daily check of the stream flow charts is as religious as morning coffee, especially during the spring and early summer months. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides efficient and accurate gauging stations on most of the major rivers and tributaries. These gauging stations provide us a sampling throughout the rivers journey through a drainage with live up-to-date stream flow data that can help in determining what to expect when you reach the river’s edge.
The Green River, which is a river I am partial too in Pinedale, Wyoming, is one that I track regularly in the spring months. On the Green, in general, I want to see the river on a descending pattern or stable this time of year, which in my experience generally equates to a good day on the river. If there is a spike in flows, due to warmer temperatures producing more snowmelt in the river system or a large rainfall, I might evaluate another option nearby and perhaps less affected by weather events. For many this knowledge may be an old hat, but for those new to the area it can save you a day of frustration on the river.
The following is a link to the USGS site specific for the Wyoming stream flows.
May and June on the Lower Deschutes means chasing giant Deschutes redsides with the big bugs. Large salmon flies and golden stones are out in abundance and it does not take long for the native rainbows to key in on these large meals. Fly fishing on the Lower Deschutes River is on many anglers’ “bucket list”. Regarded as one of the best trout streams in the United States, Lower Deschutes River entertains anglers from around the world from the end of April through the end of the year. Native rainbow or “redband” trout thrive in this tailwater river, fueled by a large insect population and steady river temperatures.
The Deschutes redband averages 14-18 inches, with many anglers catching trout over 20 inches each year. Due to the heavy flows these fish encounter, it is not uncommon to have 15-inch fish go into one’s backing. Many anglers comment that the Deschutes redband is one of the hardest-fighting trout they have ever hooked.
Ryland Moore shows off a massive Lower Deschutes rainbow or “redband” trout here that was caught last week on the Luelling River Retreat on a black and purple chubby Chernobyl salmon fly pattern. The big bug hatch is winding down and the caddis swarms are just starting to appear.
LWP Broker, Craig Janssen pulled this whopper out of the water while on a recent trip to Belize. Craig and his fishing partner Chuck won the 2014 Bonefish & Tarpon Trust tagging event at the Belize River Lodge in Central America. Chuck and Craig were awarded the most fish in the bonefish category and came in second place in tarpon category. Nice job, team Live Water!
There was no shortage of wildlife on the Sleeping Dog Ranch near Gunnison, Colorado yesterday. When approaching the ranch, our Colorado broker, Brian Hartley, spotted 12 big horn sheep grazing in a meadow just off Cebolla Creek.
Once on the ranch, the show continued with 20+ cow elk grazing near the historic cabins on the Sleeping Dog Ranch. Later when walking the creek a large moose walked out of the willows along the creek and sauntered into the adjacent La Garita Wilderness. What a great day on the Sleeping Dog Ranch!
Team Live Water meets in Jackson Hole for an annual training event. The group is here enjoying some quality time on the lawn at Fine Dining Restaurant Group’s Q Roadhouse and Brewing Co.
Pictured are John Merritt, Gale Moses, Haley Deming, Ted Schaal and Jeff Shouse in the front row. In the back row are Carlos Ordonez, Wright Cox, Matt MacMillan, Andrew Colter, Terry Fieseler, Craig Janssen, Ted Harvey, John Turner, Bill Kemph, Brian Hartley, Tate Jarry, Macye Maher and Alex Maher.
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