Huge Runoff...Firehole "On Fire"

Water levels throughout Wyoming and Eastern Idaho surged this week, as very heavy rains pounded the deep snow pack in the high peaks. Throughout the region, a very cool and wet May prevented much of the spring runoff from beginning. It really kicked into high gear this week. Heavy rains, and warmer temperatures brought the Snake River up to near record runoff levels. For those who do not know, the river volume is measured in "cfs", meaning "cubic feet per second". By drawing an imaginary line across the river, hydrologists can measure how many cubic feet of water are flowing by per second. Although we have not seen the record levels recorded from June 1997, the flows measured last week were very close.
Here are a few photos from the Snake River I snapped a few days ago. The first two at South Park Bridge, show a Snake River full of debris, looking more like chocolate milk, than river water. The third photo was taken at the Moose boat launch in Teton Park. The ramp is completely under water here. The South Park photos were taken on Wednesday, when the river was running about 22,000 cfs. For comparison, most guides would agree that after runoff, the Snake fishes best at about 2,500 cfs.
The South Fork of the Snake in Idaho, spilling out of Palisades Reservoir, was brought up to almost 22,000 cfs this weekend, in response to so much water coming out of Wyoming. I guided there last Tuesday at 14,500 cfs, and had tough fishing.
Although it is limiting our fishing options right now, the good news is that in high runoff years, the angling later in the summer can be excellent! The best bet around here right now is the Firehole River, in Yellowstone National Park. I spent the day there on Friday, and found stellar fishing; dries and nymphs were OK, but the streamer fishing was on fire. This can be the case in the spring when the river is higher.