Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Free Shipping Continental U. S.
Fly Fishing The Teton River Idaho
There are two Teton Rivers - one in Montana and
another in Idaho. The one in Central Montana is formed
in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the one in Idaho is
formed in the Teton Mountains. Fly fishing the Teton
River in Idaho is a real treat and here's why.
The Teton River is a tributary of the North Fork of the
Snake River and flows into the stream near St. Anthony,
Idaho. It drains an area of the Teton Mountains and
flows westward through the Teton Basin for a total
length of about 75 miles. Once the river leaves the
mountains, it enters the flat country of Idaho potatoes
where is has carved its way to the snake river.
Most of the river flows through private property. It can be
accessed at a few bridges and it can be fished from a
boat, provided the water levels are acceptable. Some
areas of the river offers white water rafting, so it is not all
calm water. Most anglers use a pontoon type water craft
as opposed to the traditional drift boat, although some
sections can be fished from a wooden drift boat. It
strictly depends on the section of the river.
In its uppermost parts the Teton is a meadow stream.
Some of the water comes from numerous springs along
its route. Most of the water flows through private
property in this section, so the bank fishing and wading
is limited. There are several boat ramps along the rivers
course. There are several campgrounds in the area.
The small towns of Driggs, Tetonia and Victor are
located in the area of the Teton River.
When the river flows from the upper valley, not far below
Harrop's Bridge, it enters a canyon that is very
inaccessible. This section consist of white water that can
be difficult to negotiate. I won't get into the details of the
history of it, but the area at the end of this canyon was
once the site of a lake formed by a earth made dam. It
broke in 1976 and eleven people lost their life as a
result.
The fish are mostly cutthroats and rainbows. Cutbows,
or hybrids, are also present along with some brook trout
in its upper reaches. The larger fish are in the canyon
section of the river. Because of the changes in the flows
of the river, from a meadow stream to a canyon stretch,
the river has a wide variety of aquatic insects. The
springs along the way also contribute to this diversity. In
short, the Teton River has a lot of different species of
mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies that include most
species that are found in this area of the western United
States.
If it were not for the Henry's Fork and the South Fork of
the Snake River being in the same general area of
Idaho, the Teton River would be a much more popular
fly fishing destination than it is. It is a beautiful river. With
the Tetons in the background, it would be difficult to
imagine anything else. Our one day of fishing this river
from the banks, produced several nice fish. I would
expect that drifting the river would produce even
more and be the best way to fish it.
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Idaho fishing season.
Spring:
Spring would be okay, but only before and after the
runoff.
Summer:
The Summer would be best for fly fishing the Teton
River in its headwaters.
Fall:
Early Fall would present good opportunities.
Fly Fishing Gear Tackle and Trout Flies
There are two Teton Rivers - one in Montana and
another in Idaho. The one in Central Montana is formed
in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the one in Idaho is
formed in the Teton Mountains. Fly fishing the Teton
River in Idaho is a real treat and here's why.
The Teton River is a tributary of the North Fork of the
Snake River and flows into the stream near St. Anthony,
Idaho. It drains an area of the Teton Mountains and
flows westward through the Teton Basin for a total
length of about 75 miles. Once the river leaves the
mountains, it enters the flat country of Idaho potatoes
where is has carved its way to the snake river.
Most of the river flows through private property. It can be
accessed at a few bridges and it can be fished from a
boat, provided the water levels are acceptable. Some
areas of the river offers white water rafting, so it is not all
calm water. Most anglers use a pontoon type water craft
as opposed to the traditional drift boat, although some
sections can be fished from a wooden drift boat. It
strictly depends on the section of the river.
In its uppermost parts the Teton is a meadow stream.
Some of the water comes from numerous springs along
its route. Most of the water flows through private
property in this section, so the bank fishing and wading
is limited. There are several boat ramps along the rivers
course. There are several campgrounds in the area.
The small towns of Driggs, Tetonia and Victor are
located in the area of the Teton River.
When the river flows from the upper valley, not far below
Harrop's Bridge, it enters a canyon that is very
inaccessible. This section consist of white water that can
be difficult to negotiate. I won't get into the details of the
history of it, but the area at the end of this canyon was
once the site of a lake formed by a earth made dam. It
broke in 1976 and eleven people lost their life as a
result.
The fish are mostly cutthroats and rainbows. Cutbows,
or hybrids, are also present along with some brook trout
in its upper reaches. The larger fish are in the canyon
section of the river. Because of the changes in the flows
of the river, from a meadow stream to a canyon stretch,
the river has a wide variety of aquatic insects. The
springs along the way also contribute to this diversity. In
short, the Teton River has a lot of different species of
mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies that include most
species that are found in this area of the western United
States.
If it were not for the Henry's Fork and the South Fork of
the Snake River being in the same general area of
Idaho, the Teton River would be a much more popular
fly fishing destination than it is. It is a beautiful river. With
the Tetons in the background, it would be difficult to
imagine anything else. Our one day of fishing this river
from the banks, produced several nice fish. I would
expect that drifting the river would produce even
more and be the best way to fish it.
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Idaho fishing season.
Spring:
Spring would be okay, but only before and after the
runoff.
Summer:
The Summer would be best for fly fishing the Teton
River in its headwaters.
Fall:
Early Fall would present good opportunities.
Fly Fishing Gear Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Cuttbows (hybrids) Location Northeaster Idaho Size: Small to medium Nearest Towns Driggs Season Memorial Day through October Access: Good but lots of hiking required Non-Resident License State of Idaho Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle & Trout Flies |
 | |  | |  |
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |