2016 Year End Summary

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2016 Year End Summary

Pinedale Wyoming Fly fishing Guides

Upper Green River Flows May-December 2016

2016 Year End Summary

I thought it would be prudent to examine our past season with a 2016 year end summary, since it was so challenging. Between low flows, hot temps and fires galore we still managed to produce quality experiences for our clients. This exact scenario is why I’ve strived so hard over the years to have as many quality options as possible, so that our clients are afforded quality experiences each and every day. We realize how important that is because we travel too and appreciate the value of an outfitter that’s honest and forthcoming. We realize that we cannot control the environment and natural conditions, but we can and will control our integrity and honesty. Our goal is and always has been to provide our clients with exceptional and extraordinary experiences. We also realize your time and money are valuable. Our desires are to practice sustainable practices on the waters we guide on so that the generations in the future can enjoy the fishing experience as well.

Pinedale Wyoming Fly fishing Guides

Upper Green River Flows May-December 2016

 

This past year was yet another wacky weather one, mixed with a bit of everything one can imagine. We knew we were going to be challenged for water flows when in early June it was already getting very warm even at 7-8000ft and the snowpack was ripping outta the mountains. The graph above shows exactly what I’m trying to explain. Once the rivers settled down enough for quality fishing mid June, we started guiding trips on the Upper Green River, area realizing the season in that area might be a very condensed one. Fast forward to mid July; Bingo, the water got really warm and low. We, collectively, as a company, decided to jump off the Upper Green and New Fork Rivers once the water temps were consistently reaching 70 plus degrees, which was 7/16. I applaud every one of our guides for doing so, even when it meant taking a reduction in pay.

All I can say is thankfully, we have a great tailwater to guide below, which is world class. We ended up guiding below the Fontenelle Dam for the remainder of the season with our Green and New Fork River trips until the water cooled off up above the reservoir.

The Snake River in Jackson ended up being steady, reliable and consistent throughout the entire season. We just adjusted our meet time earlier and got on the water before everyone else to ensure a quality experience for our clients.  All of the tributaries were low too but still fished well.

And the best news of all is the current snowpack is ever growing with it being 145% of a 30 year average in the wind River Mountains, which feeds the Green and New Fork and 124% at the headwaters of the Snake. The upper Snake storage system is currently at 50% of capacity, which is great news as well!

We’re booking trips for Spring and Summer now so give us a shout to book your trip.

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