Snake River Water Cuts

Late last night, the Bureau of Reclamation began cutting the water flows from Jackson Lake Dam, which affects the Snake River levels through our valley. Typically, the first week of October is when we see the Snake River reduced to its "winter flows". The plan that many of us saw over the last few weeks via email had the Bureau gradually cutting the water over a four day period. Well, after moving the river from 1,100 cfs to 850 overnight, they proceeded to drop it to 500 cfs during the day today, and then actually raise it back up to 550 cfs. Not sure why they did this. The ultimate level that we will end up seeing will likely be below 500 cfs. Anglers would prefer to see a more gradual drop during these water cuts. Not only does a drastic cut in flows affect the fishing, it also can potentially strand fish in side-channels throughout the river, since they may not have enough time to react to the dropping water. I was not happy to see the graph tonight on the USGS site showing such a drastic drop. (Check my link list below for Wyoming Streamflow data, and go to the Snake River near Moran). Despite all of this, I did have a fantastic day of guiding today on the Snake from the Dam to Pacific Creek. The Trico hatch is still happening in full force in the mornings, and we hit it pretty good. Although they were tough, there were plenty of larger fish up on dries in very shallow water...good fun! Here's a couple of pictures I've been meaning to post for awhile: brothers Fred and Ted Thranhardt with a pair of great fish that fell for dry flies from the South Fork Canyon last week. The third photo is one I snapped on Deadman's to Moose recently: the classic Fall shot of the Tetons. Enjoy!