From talking to buddies and keeping updated online, it looks like Spring (and maybe early Summer?) has sprung around Western Wyoming. Even though I'm now in the Great Northwest, I'm able to live in Wyoming vicariously a little via phone calls, emails, and fishing blogs. It looks like lighter snowpack from this winter is receding quickly with warmer temperatures and rain. I've been getting reports of fantastic fishing on the Henry's Fork, Snake and South Fork. The warmer conditions have probably made it very ripe for warming water temperatures and great spring hatches. It's been a number of years since Jackson has seen such a warm start to Spring. This kind of trend would indicate that the early Summer may see some fantastic fishing. If the Snake clears early enough, anglers may have the chance to chase Stoneflies and Caddisflies through the Snake River Canyon. Things around Oregon and Washington have been fluctuating between very wet, and very warm and dry...just depends on the day. I've been putting in quite a bit of windshield time and wading time trying to figure out the elusive Steelhead. There's a delicate balancing act in play in order to have a good chance at a Wild Fish. Rainfall is good. Fresh water can bring in fresh fish from the salt. Too much rain, and the rivers swell and make it impossible. If you can get out on a day when the river is dropping and clearing, the fishing gets easier.
I've been out many days only to find a rising river. It's all about timing. Here's a few photos from some recent outings to the Trask River, the Clackamas River and the Sandy River. Check out this shot of Ken Anderson finishing his two-handed cast into some prime Steelhead water. I've hooked a couple fish and had a couple other "grabs", but none to the net yet. Fortunately, the Steelhead season is virtually year round, and I'll keep tryin'. I'm now starting to get a bit of an itch to chase some Trout, and it looks like Oregon has some options. I've got the McKenzie River on the radar right now and hope to get down there soon.
