Snake River Fishing Report
Week of April 7, 2026 — April 13, 2026
Current Conditions
Flows are steady at 920 CFS from the dam release. Water is gin-clear with 6+ feet of visibility. Midges are the dominant hatch here — look for clusters in the slower seams and eddy lines from late morning through early afternoon. BWOs are starting to show in sparse but fishable numbers, especially on overcast afternoons. Nymphing with small midge patterns (sz 18-22) under an indicator is the most consistent producer. Wade access is excellent with low, stable flows.
This is the hot reach this week. The Moose to Wilson Bridge stretch is fishing beautifully. Slightly warmer water temps create more consistent midge activity, and BWOs are appearing in better numbers than upstream. The braided channels offer excellent wading opportunities. Fish are stacking up in the soft water behind gravel bars. Dry-dropper rigs are effective — a sz 18 Parachute Adams over a sz 20 Mercury Midge is a deadly combination. Late morning through 2 PM has been the prime window.
Fishable but slower than the upper reaches this week. Water is slightly off-color from minor tributary input. Midge activity is present but less concentrated. A few Skwala stones have been spotted on warmer afternoons — a preview of what's coming. Best fished with nymph rigs targeting deeper runs and the confluences of side channels. Wade access remains good but watch for soft gravel bars on the south bank.
What's Hatching
Midges
Heavy10 AM — 2 PM, peaking around noon
Dense clusters in slower water. Fish are keying on emergers just below the film. Look for subtle head-and-tail rises in the foam lines and soft edges.
Blue-Wing Olives (Baetis)
Moderate1 PM — 4 PM, best on cloudy days
Sporadic but building. Overcast afternoons trigger the best hatches. Fish will rise freely when enough duns are on the water — watch the banks and back eddies.
Skwala Stoneflies
SporadicWarmest part of the day, 12 PM — 3 PM
Just starting to appear on warmer afternoons, mainly in the lower reaches. Not enough density to generate consistent surface activity yet, but worth carrying a sz 10 Skwala pattern as a searching dry.
What's Producing
Dry Flies
Imitates a midge cluster on the surface. Best during peak midge activity around noon. Target foam lines and slow eddies.
The ultimate searching dry and indicator fly. Fish it as a lead fly in a dry-dropper rig with a midge nymph trailing 14 inches below.
Nymphs & Droppers
Dead-drift in the film under an indicator. The go-to pattern right now — fish it in every soft seam you find.
Black or red body. Great dropper behind a Parachute Adams. Fish it 12-18 inches below the surface.
Streamers
Strip slow through deeper runs and along undercut banks. Early morning before the hatch gets going or late afternoon when activity slows.
Emergers
Deadly when fish are keying on emerging BWOs just below the film. Fish unweighted in the top 6 inches.
Best Time and Section This Week
Guide's Take
This is classic early spring fishing on the Snake. The midges are doing exactly what we expect — building in intensity as the days get a little longer and warmer. The BWOs are the exciting story this week. We're seeing real numbers for the first time this spring, and the fish are starting to look up. If you can time it right on a cloudy afternoon, you'll get rising fish on dry flies. It doesn't get better than that in April.
— Ryan, Teton Troutfitters
Next Week's Outlook
Expect warming temperatures through mid-April to push BWO hatches into stronger territory. Skwala stoneflies should become more consistent in the lower reaches as afternoon highs climb. Flows will remain stable from the dam — ideal wading conditions should hold through the month. The week of April 14 looks like it could be the turning point where dry fly fishing becomes the primary game. Book midweek trips for the best shot at uncrowded water during peak hatch windows.
Conservation Note
Early spring fish are hungry but recovering from a long winter. Practice catch-and-release, keep fish wet, and use barbless hooks. Water temps below 40°F mean slower recovery times — minimize handling and get fish back in the current quickly. If you see spawning redds (cleaned gravel patches), give them a wide berth.
Early spring on the Snake. Flows are low and stable, midge activity is building, and the first Skwalla stoneflies of the year are starting to show. This is the quiet window before runoff — and this year, a historically low snowpack may mean it stays quiet longer than usual.
Common Questions This Week
What flies should I bring for Snake River fishing in early April?
Focus on midges and early Blue-Wing Olives. Carry Mercury Midges and Zebra Midges in sizes 18-22 for nymphing, Griffith's Gnats for surface midge clusters, and Parachute Adams in 16-18 as a dry-dropper indicator fly. An RS2 Emerger in 20-22 is essential when BWOs start popping. A few olive Woolly Buggers in size 8-10 round out the box for streamer work in the morning.
Can you wade the Snake River in April?
Yes — April is one of the best months for wade fishing on the Snake. Flows are typically stable at 800-1,100 CFS from the Jackson Lake Dam release, well below summer runoff levels. Wading conditions are excellent to good throughout most of the river. Felt-soled or studded boots are recommended as cobble can be slippery. A wading staff is helpful but not essential at current flows.
What is the best time of day to fish the Snake River in spring?
Late morning through early afternoon (11 AM - 2 PM) is the sweet spot in early April. That's when water temps rise enough to trigger midge hatches and get fish actively feeding. On cloudy days, BWO hatches can extend the action into mid-afternoon. Early mornings and late evenings are typically slow as water temps drop below 38°F. If you only have a half day, book the morning-to-afternoon slot.
The spring midge and BWO season is here. Book a guided wade trip on the Snake River and experience the best early-season dry fly fishing in Jackson Hole.
