High Country Flies has been providing dip tanks for treating wading gear for many years now, and to toot our own horn a bit, have even received special recognition from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for doing so. We use a simple bleach solution in these tanks, which has been proven to effectively treat wading gear from transmitting Aquatic Invasive Species (ANS) such as Didymo, Whirling Disease and mud snails. The water in these tanks gets changed regularly throughout the season. Keep in mind that the solution we use works even if the water looks dirty – it’s … Continue reading →

In a day and age when it increasingly difficult to find a native trout, much less a native indigenous trout, it is comforting to know that there is a strong population of the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat Trout, a unique subspecies of cutthroat, residing right here in Jackson Hole. Cutthroats originally ranged throughout the Intermountain West and are, in fact, the only species of trout native to the area. They are, however, more sensitive to environmental degradation and pollution than other species of trout and have been largely wiped out in much of their native habitat. It takes pure clean … Continue reading →

I had planned to write about the evils of a proposed golf course and trophy home development known as the Canyon Club. Currently under consideration, the project would reside along the banks of the Snake River in Jackson Hole. But I have been personally and professionally embroiled in this controversy for so long that, today anyways, I’m unable to muster the will to continue the fight. I’m emotionally drained. Which leads to a major concern that those of us who love trout are often faced with…namely the unrelenting onslaught of those who would exploit our diminishing cold water resources for … Continue reading →

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that a petition to list the Yellowstone cutthroat trout as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act does not provide substantial biological information to indicate that a listing may be warranted at this time.

The Biodiversity Legal Foundation, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Montana Ecosystems Defense Council, and Mr. George Wuerthner petitioned the Service in 1998 to list the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, a brightly colored fish found primarily in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, as threatened throughout its range. The petition and finding also include the finespotted Snake River cutthroat trout to be a variation of the same subspecies. Continue reading →

A common question at High Country Flies is whether it is better to net a trout or not. The short answer is…it depends. The long answer is that you shouldn’t net a trout unless you have to. Having said that, there are times when it is appropriate to use a net. The basic rule of thumb regarding the handling of trout is don’t. Of course, this is not always practical and we are sometimes forced to net or touch our catch. However, to the extent that it is possible, you want to avoid handling trout whether it be with your … Continue reading →

We at High Country Flies are big advocates of fly fishing with a barbless hook. While some fly patterns (like the Stimulators tied by Umpqua Feather Merchants) are tied on barbless hooks to begin with, they are in the vast minority. Fly tyers also have the option of tying on barbless hooks, but again, this is not the norm. The majority of hooks used by fly tyers are not offered in barbless versions. The bottom line is that most of the time the angler will have to remove the barb him/herself. This is most easily accomplished by simply flattening the … Continue reading →

I’ve done it, you’ve done it, we’ve all done it at one time or another. Kept score that is. Counted the number of fish we’ve caught in a given day, or on a given trip, or in a given season. Is there anything wrong with that? In and of itself, the short answer is no. The long answer, however, is that there could very well be something wrong with the attitude of an angler who judges their day and the overall experience by how many fish they land. You may counter that this is all very easy for me to … Continue reading →

With the ever increasing popularity of fly fishing comes an inevitable dilemma…our trout streams and lakes are becoming more and more crowded as anglers flock to a seemingly dwindling supply of quality fisheries. Unfortunately, we can’t create any more rivers, and the ones we have are constantly under siege from factors ranging from pollution to development. It doesn’t appear that the situation will improve any time soon. That’s not to say that the increasing numbers of anglers is necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the opposite may be true. Our cold water resources need all the help they can get, … Continue reading →

They say it’s the little things in life that can make it all worthwhile, and fly fishing is no different. A little attention to detail can make your gear and tackle work for you rather than against you. Flies that won’t float, leaders that won’t turn over or break too easily, or hunting through the 101 pockets of your fishing vest for that elusive but essential item are just a few of the myriad frustrations which can humiliate even the staunchest of anglers. Volumes have been written on the whys and wherefores of rod and reel design not to mention … Continue reading →

The Snake River Restoration Project is a collaborative effort between Teton County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Walla Walla District) and the Teton County Natural Resource District (TCNRD) along with a host of federal and state agencies, local organizations and private citizens. The Corps and TCNRD are halfway through a four year study which is designed to determine the feasibility of repairing the multifaceted damage caused by the levees over the years. While total restoration is not possible, some of the goals of the project include improving biodiversity, restoring fisheries by increasing and improving spawning areas for the Snake … Continue reading →