Snake River Fishing Report
Week of April 14, 2026 — April 20, 2026
Current Conditions
Teton Troutfitters guides the South Park to Alpine reach. Upriver conditions shown for reference.
Flows bumped up slightly to 1,050 CFS — still very wadeable but you'll notice the extra push in the main channel. Water clarity has dropped slightly to 5 feet from last week's 6+, likely from warming tributary input. The big news is BWOs — they're hatching in real numbers now, especially on overcast afternoons. Midges remain strong through the midday window. The Dam to Deadman's Bar stretch is fishing exceptionally well, with fish stacked in the soft water along willowed banks.
Still the most productive reach overall. Warmer temps in this section mean earlier and more sustained hatch activity. BWOs are the headline — expect fishable hatches from early afternoon through 4 PM on cloudy days. Midges remain the bread-and-butter from 10 AM to 1 PM. The braided channels between Moose and Wilson continue to offer the best wade access. Fish are spreading out as flows increase, so cover more water than you did last week.
This is where the Skwala story is developing. Afternoon warming on the cobble bars is bringing stones off the banks in fishable numbers. It's not a blanket hatch, but attentive fish are cruising the banks looking for them. Carry a sz 8-10 Skwala dry and fish it tight to the willows. The nymphing remains productive in the deeper runs. Water is slightly more colored here from tributary input — sz 16 BWO nymphs are outperforming the smaller midge patterns.
What's Hatching
Blue-Wing Olives (Baetis)
Heavy12 PM — 4 PM, strongest on overcast days
This is what we've been waiting for. Dense hatches are generating committed surface feeding. Fish are rising freely and selectively to duns drifting in the foam lines. Emerger patterns are outfishing dries when fish are being picky. Target the seam lines and back eddies where duns collect.
Midges
Heavy10 AM — 1 PM
Still the morning headliner. Clusters are dense in the slower water. The transition from midges to BWOs around midday creates a sustained feeding window — fish often switch from midge emergers to olive duns without pausing.
Skwala Stoneflies
Moderate1 PM — 4 PM on warm afternoons
Becoming a real factor, especially in the South Park to Alpine reach. Stones are crawling off bank rocks and cobble bars on warm afternoons. Fish are cruising the banks targeting them — a big, visible sz 8-10 dry fished tight to the willows can draw explosive takes.
What's Producing
Dry Flies
The top dry this week. The trailing shuck sits in the film like a natural emerger. Fish it dead-drift in the foam lines where duns are collecting. Olive body, size 18 has been money.
Fish it tight to the banks in the lower reaches. Cast upstream, let it dead-drift along willowed edges. Takes can be violent — set the hook downstream, not up.
Nymphs & Droppers
Still productive in the morning midge window before BWOs take over. Fish it shallow under an indicator in the slower seams.
A great all-rounder that imitates BWO nymphs. Fish it as a dropper under a dry or in a two-nymph rig with a midge. The flash-back version has been outperforming the standard.
Streamers
Swing it through the deeper runs and slots early morning before hatches kick off. The slightly elevated flows are moving fish into ambush lanes along structure. Slow strips with pauses.
Emergers
When risers refuse the dry, drop to an RS2 trailing 6 inches below a Sparkle Dun. Fish are eating emergers in the film more than fully emerged duns.
Best Time and Section This Week
Guide's Take
This is the week the season turns. We went from hoping for BWOs to fishing to them exclusively for three hours straight on Tuesday. The fish are locked in — eating size 18 olive duns with confidence. Add in the Skwala activity building in the lower river, and you've got a choice: technical dry fly fishing to rising trout in the upper stretches, or hunt big fish on stones along the banks down low. Either way, you're throwing dries. That's April on the Snake at its best.
— Jake, Teton Troutfitters
Next Week's Outlook
The warming trend should continue through late April. BWOs will remain the dominant hatch, with Skwala stoneflies becoming increasingly reliable in the lower reaches. Watch for the first Caddis of the season by late April if temps stay on track. Flows may bump toward 1,200 CFS as seasonal adjustments begin at the dam — still very wadeable but plan accordingly. The last two weeks of April historically offer the best dry fly fishing of the spring season. Don't wait.
Conservation Note
As water temps rise above 40°F, fish are more active but also burning more energy. Spawning cutthroat may be visible on gravel bars — give them space. If you're catching and releasing (and you should be), wet your hands before handling, use rubber nets, and keep fish in the water for photos. The spring fishery is healthy — let's keep it that way.
The second week of April brings the transition we’ve been waiting for. Blue-Wing Olives have stepped up dramatically, Skwala stoneflies are crawling on bankside rocks, and the fish know it. Water temps climbing into the mid-40s have flipped the switch — expect surface feeding activity from late morning well into the afternoon. This is the week to be on the river.
Common Questions This Week
What are Skwala stoneflies and why do they matter for Snake River fishing?
Skwala stoneflies are a large (size 8-10) dark stone fly that hatches in spring on western freestone rivers. They're one of the first big bugs of the season, and trout get excited about them because they represent a substantial meal after months of tiny midges. When Skwalas are active, fish will move to the banks to pick them off — creating opportunities for sight-fishing with big dry flies. It's some of the most exciting spring fishing on the Snake.
Is mid-April too early for dry fly fishing on the Snake River?
Not at all — mid-April is when dry fly season really kicks into gear on the Snake. BWO hatches are producing committed rising fish from midday through late afternoon, and Skwala stoneflies add big-fly opportunities in the lower reaches. You won't be throwing dries all day, but the prime window from noon to 4 PM can deliver some of the best surface action of the entire year. The uncrowded water is a major bonus compared to summer.
What should I wear for wade fishing the Snake River in April?
Breathable chest waders with a good layering system underneath. Water temps are 40-45°F, so neoprene socks or wading boots with insulation are recommended. Bring a fleece or puffy jacket for the morning and a rain shell — April weather in Jackson Hole is unpredictable. Fingerless gloves help in the morning chill. Studded felt or rubber soles are essential on the cobble bottom.
Dry fly season has arrived on the Snake River. Book a guided wade trip this week and experience the best BWO and Skwala fishing of the spring.
