Jackson Hole and the South Fork region

Snake River Hatch Report

Updated Apr 24, 2026, 7:54 AM MDT

On the Snake in late April, fish subsurface first and treat dry-fly shots as bonus windows.

Current Conditions
  • Flow: Spring flows can rise quickly with weather, especially across broader valley reaches and below tributary input.
  • Water Temperature: Cold water keeps the better fish close to soft banks, depth breaks, and current shelters.
  • Weather: Clouds help. Wind can shut down surface visibility even when bugs are present.
  • Overall Rating: 5/10
Today's Read

Snake River is keyed to the bugs that are active in the current light and water conditions. These are the insects that matter right now and the windows when they matter most.

Current Hatch Report
  • Blue-winged olives, size 16-20, midday on gray days
  • Midges, size 18-22, slow edges and side channels early
  • Stonefly nymph movement, size 8-12, all day subsurface
Flies To Match The Hatch
  • Pat's Rubber Legs, size 6-10, nymph
  • TJ Hooker or large perdigon, size 14-16, nymph
  • BWO nymph, size 16-18, nymph
  • Sparkle Minnow olive or black, size 4-6, streamer
  • Parachute Adams, size 16-18, dry
How Fish Respond To This Hatch
  • Snake fish are usually spread across a lot of water this time of year, and the more aggressive trout tend to sit on structure that lets them ambush drifting nymphs or bait. You will find the better feeding lanes on soft shelf edges, below ledge drops, and along undercut banks with slower cushion water. Fish are generally willing subsurface, but the hatch needs to be real before they commit to long surface feeding.
  • Use a boat or cover water methodically from shore, focusing on soft shelves and structure instead of random midriver drifts.