Rockies Road Trip

Headed to Jackson Hole for several days next month for a family gathering. May do a little fishing up there if any free time is available (Teton River or some other stream), and definitely plan to hit both the Green River below Flaming Gorge (via guided drift boat) and the San Juan below Navajo on the trip back home. Looking forward to cooler temps and western trout on the fly!

If you are in JAckson, hit the Snake River by driftboat. Skip the Juan imo. The Snake thru Jackson Hole is loaded with cutties and several articles have been published lately detailing the increasing size of the fish. If the water temps are good, you have to hit Flat Creek and toss hoppers.

I'd pass on the Snake. Head west over the pass, look at a map, and hike a bit. Bigger fish than the Snake if you pick the right trib.

That sounds like a terrific trip. You will be amazed at the number of trout in the Green.

"Skip the Juan"...you've got to be kidding! No way!


Looking forward to your report.

I fished the San Juan earlier this month and caught a bunch of rainbows and a brown below the dam. Definitely set my pb rainbow. It was fun but the “freeloaders” really took away from the experience. Having 10 to at one point 30 big trout behind you and even bumping into you kind of ruins it.

agree with this! use to hit the juan several times a years and its a different sort of trout experience for sure. big fish, but lots of them are beaten up! and, standing shoulder to shoulder with other fishermen just spoils it a bit.

i'd just spend the time on the tributaries to the snake! that's where its at! you could even try for the cut slam! be sure to pack some bear spray too!

When I fish the San Juan it will be on a weekday in late September so I am thinking (hoping) that the area below the dam will not be very crowded. The bear spray comment regarding the Idaho fishing is a bit disconcerting...

Slight change of plans. Now returning on a more northern route, so the bad news is that the San Juan is no longer in the picture. But the good news is that I will be hitting the Frying Pan near Aspen! Maybe fewer trout but the scenery should be a lot nicer.

The Pan is definitely more scenic than the Juan. No boats, fewer people, better quality fish. I know I am a minority, i just don't like the San Juan tailwater.

The toilet bowl below the dam on the Pan has restricted fishing for 100yards due to all the foul hooking the pigs.

It was a great trip because of the time spent with my kids and grandson (they are scattered across the country). Fishing started great with this Teton River rainbow, then slowed on the Green River where I nabbed two small browns, then got skunked on the Frying Pan. Absolutely beautiful country.