Alright, so here is the deal. I have my in laws coming out from Oklahoma to stay with us for a few weeks next month. My father and brother-in-law are talking about experiencing a real western fly fishing trip. I'm just trying to gather some ideas and get some info on what my best options would be. I knew I could turn to you guys for help. What I'm thinking (best case scenario) is setting up a guided float trip for the three of us on either the south fork of the snake, or the snake Jackson hole area, or green river or anywhere in between. I've only been on two guided float trips myself and so I don't have a lot of experience with this. I do know that for the most part guide services only offer trips for two fishermen, in fact I've only been able to find one company, in my research thus far, that will take three fishermen on a trip. This company is claiming they will take three down the Jackson hole area of the snake. Do any of you know of some good guide services that are willing to take three fishermen on a float fishing trip? Have any of you had good experiences with any of these services? Like I said I'm trying to gather info to see if I can't throw something together. Any light you can shine or info shared would be appreciated. I'm at least trying to get pointed in the right direction. PM me or respond on here. Thanks my fellow fishy friends!
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First off a drift boat only has 3 seats including the guide. Your best bet would be to find a fourth or just pay for 2 boats. Almost all guided fly fishing trips are the same price with 1 person or 2.
Secondly, the Snake in Jackson and the South Fork in Idaho are iffy in June at best. Your best bet would be the Henrys Fork. June is prime time on the HF, you won't regret it. The Trouthunter in Island Park will hook you up.
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I know typical drift boats only have room for three. But I've seen some where there is an additional seat for a forth person the sit while the guide rows and the two others fish. I've also seen the raft boats that more easily host 4. I'm just trying to find the companies that are willing to take 3 fishermen. And I'm not tied down to one particular place so if it's Henry's fork that is the best option then we will head there. I'm just trying to gather info before I make a choice so thank you for your input.
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A "real western fly fishing trip" would be three anglers, two boats and guides, a fantastic shore lunch, and a river that's not blown out with water like the Snake will likely be. Do Henry's, or the Green, with two boats.
You'll be hard-pressed to find any good experiences with four people in a drift boat or on a raft, and fishing in this part of the west.
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I use to work in Oklahoma and was friends with a lot of guys that fished out there. You wanna treat them to a real western flyfishing adventure than get up to the Henrys Fork for sure!!! If you can do it at the end of June, the South Fork is an awesome option. Don't try to cram into one boat because that will ruin the whole experience! If you do South Fork the end of June, I could probably pay for half and float with ya. I know the guys at The Lodge at Pali
es Creek and would totally recommend them. They are my go to crew everytime I float the South Fork, and Chase is the best guide I've had. I am trying to figure out what date to do my next float with them, and end of June first of July is my go to time with them for sure. The attached pictures are from last year's trip. Let me know if you need a 4th wheel to split the cost of the extra boat.
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I guess I should've been a little more specific in my description of what I'm up against. My brother in law has never been fly fishing and my father in law hasn't been for many years. I would be the only experienced fisher of the trio and probably the only one that would really appreciate the trip and understand the frustration of the trio in the same boat. Because my in laws are none the wiser is the whole reason I even considered do the trip with three of us in one boat. Honestly though I might just end up taking them to some still body of water and have them catch something easy like blue gill. Ru22dizzle if you're looking for someone to float with and split the bill I'm definitely willing to do that. I have dreamt of floating the southfork during the stonefly hatch. Like its on my bucket list. Hit me up if you're serious about it.
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I'll echo what BS said. The Henry's should be in better shape than either the Snake in Wyoming or the South Fork. You will have missed the salmonflies but may hit the green drakes and some goldens. However, a good guide can get you on fish regardless of where you go.
Another really good option would be the Madison, mid-late June is prime for Salmonflies there.
You may have a hard time finding a guide that even has a boat that will fit three anglers though. Besides Trouthunter, I would check Three Rivers Ranch, South Fork Outfitters, The Lodge at Pali
es, Henry's Fork Angler, and Worldcast. The latter two are licensed on the Teton as well for another option.
A final option would be renting a boat. There is one place in Rigby and one in Ashton that rent drift boats. Floating the lower Henry's is pretty easy.
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Totally your call on where you take them, but giving them the experience of a real western river fly fishing trip would not include still water and bluegill. Those Oklahoma boys can catch all the still water fish they can handle back home.
If you were to go with a guide to float a river, or even have a guide take them locally on a full day wade trip, you can let guide(s) know the experience level of your family and they will take care of them to make sure they know how to catch some fish. Most river guides deal with very inexperienced anglers on a regular basis, so don't feel bad about that at all. The biggest thing to consider is whether you want to do a float trip with two boats, or a wade trip with one or two guides.
After that, find the best guide and water and let them show your in-laws what real western river flyfishing is all about. You'll still look like the hero, AND you don't have to teach them how to cast a fly so you can still fish too.
As for the south fork trip....if your in-laws are going to be here the end of June, that is a great time to float the South Fork. Trust me on that!
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