Idaho Fishing Reports · Upper Snake Region
The South Fork of the Snake below Palisades Dam is one of the West's best big-river trout fisheries, with Yellowstone cutthroat, browns and rainbows.
Looking for the latest South Fork of the Snake (Swan Valley) river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the South Fork of the Snake (Swan Valley).
Current flows
Wind forecast
South Fork of the Snake fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Fall releases from Palisades are lower and clear, and brown trout are active.
Streamers along the banks and nymphs in the riffles. BWOs bring up fish on cloudy afternoons.
Load your fly box
Before you head to South Fork at Swan Valley, bring: Woolly Bugger #4-8, Sculpin #4-6, Pat', s Rubber Legs #6-10, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Chubby Chernobyl #8-12, Parachute Adams #14-18, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, PMD #14-18.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
South Fork of the Snake details
| Access | Palisades Dam, Irwin, Swan Valley and Conant boat ramps. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 5,300 ft |
| Nearest town | Swan Valley, Idaho |
| Best season | Year-round, best summer and fall |
| Fish | Yellowstone cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Rainbow trout are not protected here, and IDFG encourages anglers to keep them to help the cutthroat. Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seasons and rules before you go. An Idaho fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older, plus a steelhead or salmon permit where those fish are targeted. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 2X to 4X tippet |
| Camping | Palisades Creek, Falls and Calamity campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. Easy bank access near Irwin, but a big river. |
| Good to know | Most anglers float. Know your take-out before you launch. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges and nymphing.
Spring
Runoff and high releases.
Summer
Salmonflies, golden stones, PMDs and hoppers.
Fall
BWOs, mahogany duns and big browns on streamers.
How to get there
From Idaho Falls, take US-26 east about 45 miles to Swan Valley and Irwin.