Guide to Jackson Hole Fly Fishing | Wyoming Trout Fishing Trips

What to Know Before You Hit the Rivers

Fly fishing in Jackson Hole isn't just about catching trout—it's about finally slowing down for once. The Snake River at sunrise is quiet in a way that gets your attention. Cold air, sharp shadows through the cottonwoods, and if you're lucky, the telltale ripple of a rising trout.

If you're just getting started, here's the good news: you don't need to be a pro to enjoy it. You just need an experienced fly fishing guide (or good advice from a local Jackson fly shop), a little patience, and a willingness to stand in cold water for a shot at something wild. This isn't bobber-on-a-pond fishing. It's active, it's focused, and yeah—it'll humble you in a good way.

Whether you're picking up a fly rod for the first time or just brushing off the rust, this planner walks you through the basics and gives you a feel for what a real day on the river looks like.

You might hook a few. You might not. Either way, it beats staring at a screen.

Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Basics

Jackson Hole is the real deal. Cold, clean water. Big scenery. And trout that still eat dry flies like it's their job.

Set in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, this place offers wild fish in wild places—and enough access points that you don't need to be a local to make it work.

But here's the kicker: fly fishing isn't some rare hobby around here—it's a way of life. Locals fish before work, after work, and pretty much any chance they get. It's not fancy. It's just what people do.

Why anglers keep coming back:

Native Cutthroat Trout – They've lived here forever, and they're still hungry for dry flies.
Easy Public Access – No secret handshake required. Plenty of spots you can walk right into.
Top-Tier Guides – If you want help, you've got options. Many Jackson Hole fishing guides have been teaching and guiding for decades.
Fish All Year – Yes, even when there's snow on the ground.
Mix It Up – Drift trips, small streams, alpine lakes—it's all here.

Whether you're casting for the first time or the hundredth, Jackson Hole delivers.

What You'll Be Catching

Let's start with the stars of the show: the trout. Jackson Hole is a multi-species destination, but the real headliner is the Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat Trout—a native fish that locals speak of with the reverence usually reserved for hometown heroes.

Snake River Cutthroat Trout

Behavior: Willing risers, especially to dry flies
Look for: Small black spots scattered along a golden body
Best tactic: Hopper-dropper rigs, stoneflies, or attractor patterns like the Chubby Chernobyl, Royal Wulff or Double Humpy.

Brown and Rainbow Trout

Found in: Slower water, deeper pools, cooler tailwaters
Best tactic: Streamers in the fall, nymphs year-round
Behavior: Smart, strong, sometimes spooky

Brook Trout

Tiny but feisty, often found in high-elevation creeks and ponds
Gorgeous colors—red belly, white-edged fins, dark vermiculation
Behavior: Scrappy. Great fun on light gear.

Mountain Whitefish

Underrated fighter
Eats small nymphs, often found in the same runs as trout

Not every fish is a trophy, but every fish gives you something to remember—whether it's a hard fight or a clean escape.

Gearing Up Without Going Overboard

Keep it simple initially. You don't need to dress like an extra in A River Runs Through It to get started.

Spring/Fall: Breathable waders
Summer: Wet-wade—neoprene socks + solid sandals or boots
Boots: Rubber soles only (studs banned in boats)
Sunglasses: Polarized are mandatory. Trust me.
Hat & Sunscreen: Yes, even on cloudy days (UV-rays are way more intense at this altitude)

Local Tip: Most guided trips come with all the gear you need—rod, reel, flies, even waders. Double-check what's included when you book. Not sure you're all-in on fly fishing yet? Let the guide supply the setup. Try before you buy.

The Basics:

Rod: 4- or 5-weight rod, 8'6" to 9' is ideal for beginners
Reel: Something simple with a decent drag system
Line: Weight-forward floating line
Leader & Tippet: 9-foot 4X or 5X for general trout fishing

Flies:

Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, Purple Haze
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Pat's Rubber Legs
Streamers: Woolly Bugger, Sculpzilla, Mini-Dungeon

Local wisdom: Walk into JD High Country Outfitters or Snake River Anglers, explain where you're going, and let them build you a small, seasonally-appropriate fly box. The guides love helping beginners.

Casting, Knotting & Reading Water: How to Start

You don't need to be athletic. You need to be patient.

Casting:

Start with short, clean casts. Focus on line control, not distance.

Three Knots to Know:

Clinch Knot: Fly to tippet
Surgeon's Knot: Leader to tippet
Loop-to-Loop: Leader to fly line

Practice: Cast in your backyard. It helps.

Reading the River

Trout aren't random. They hold in places where food comes to them:

Seams between fast and slow water
Undercut banks
Deep pools below riffles
Foam lines (foam is home)

Fishing sharpens how you notice things. Over time, it's not just the fish you're watching—but the way light moves on the water, how currents shift, how everything connects.

Where to Fish in Jackson Hole

You don't have to bushwhack to find fish. Here are some go-to spots:

Snake River

Best for: Drift trips and big open water
Access: Wilson Bridge, Moose Landing, South Park. The Snake is best accessed by a drift boat. Book a Jackson Hole Fly Fishing Guide to truly experience it.
Top flies: Chubbies, hoppers, nymph droppers

Gros Ventre River

Best for: Wading and easy walk-in spots
Access: Near Kelly and up Gros Ventre Road
Flies: Small dries and beadhead nymphs

Flat Creek (National Elk Refuge)

Best for: Sight fishing cutthroat
Access: Just outside Jackson - Season runs August 1 through October 31.
Tip: This is the PhD program of Jackson Hole fishing. Bring your A-game—these fish are spooky
Note: Catch & release only

Hoback River

Best for: Pocket water and easy roadside access
Access: Runs right alongside Highway 191 south of Jackson—pullouts are plentiful
Flies: Attractor dries, small nymphs, hopper-dropper setups
Why fish it: Less pressure than the Snake, with surprisingly good action for cutthroat and rainbows

Hidden Gem: Phelps Lake

Access: 1.5-mile hike from the Rockefeller Preserve
Why: Great cutthroat, zero crowds

Green River (south of Hoback)

Best for: Float trips and freestone fishing with real size and solitude
Access: South of Hoback, near Pinedale—guides like Reel Deal Anglers know the best sections
Fish: Big Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout—plus legendary hatches of Grey Drakes and Golden Stones in mid-summer

Looking for Yellowstone Fishing Options?

Check out our guide to Top 5 Fishing Destinations around Yellowstone for more local secrets.

Angler tip from Reddit:

"You should put western hopper dropper fishing on your bucket list. It's insane how willingly the fish will slam Chernobyl's out there."

Season by Season: When to Fish in Jackson Hole

Fly fishing in Jackson Hole is a year-round possibility. Here's how it shakes out.

Spring (March–May)

Tailwaters below Jackson Lake Dam stay fishable
Midges and blue-wing olives hatch early
Water is cold, and runoff begins in May

Summer (June–August)

Prime season for all styles
Hopper-dropper action in late summer
Early mornings and evenings are best in hot months

Fall (September–October)

Streamers for big browns
Beautiful foliage and quieter rivers
Mahogany duns and October caddis

Winter (November–February)

Surprisingly doable on warm days. If you are looking for a guided experience, call Grand Teton Fly Fishing for availability.
Best below dams and in spring creeks
Deep nymphing, midge hatches

Licenses, Regulations & Ethics

This isn't the part people love to read, but it matters.

What You Need:

Wyoming Fishing License (required for 14+)
Conservation Stamp (also required)
Available at shops or online at wgfd.wyo.gov

Know the Rules:

Barbless hooks encouraged, especially on Flat Creek
Artificial flies only in many areas of GTNP
Some waters have seasonal closures for spawning
No metal studs in drift boats or launch areas

Fish With Respect:

Wet hands before touching fish
Keep fish in the water for photos
Release gently
Pack out all trash and used line

Jackson Hole's waters are wild and fragile. Every angler is a steward.

Why Hire a Local Jackson Hole Fishing Guide?

Let's say it plain: fly fishing here can be tough. Conditions change fast. Fish are picky. A good guide bridges the gap between fishing and catching.

Guides Provide:

Appropriate gear (check what is included)
Instruction that meets you where you are, and where you'll need to be to catch fish
Access to private stretches
Real-time local intel
Encouragement when the fish aren't cooperating

Even seasoned anglers book guides here. Not because they have to—because it makes the day better and more productive

Ready to fish smarter, not harder? Check out Jackson Hole Guided Fly Fishing Trips here→

Let the pros handle the details. You just show up and fish.

Final Word

You don't need to be a fly fishing expert to fall in love with Jackson Hole. You just need to show up, take a cast, and be open to whatever the river throws your way.

So book the trip. Try something new. Worst case? You spend a few quiet hours in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

That's a win either way.

FAQs

Do I need experience?

No. Book a half-day or a full-day trip and let the guide do the heavy lifting.

Is it kid-friendly?

Definitely. Shorter float trips are great for families first starting off

Can I go without a guide?

Yes. Just stop by a shop first and get local recommendations to improve your experience.

Do I have to wade?

No. Boat trips are a comfortable and effective option.