Traveled #26 | The South Fork Lodge with Justin Adams - Salmon Flies, Snake River, Cutthroat

#731B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/731B

Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory

 
The West is home to some incredible bug hatches, but only a few can match the size and intensity of the great salmon fly hatch. Today, we're diving into the magic of this hatch with Justin Adams of the South Fork Lodge.

We will talk about the Middle Fork, the Salmon River, and even the Grand Canyon. Find out how Justin puts a 90-degree bend in the leader to fish nymphs more effectively. Plus, he'll share the #1 thing he tells his clients and why fish on the South Fork have scuffed noses!

Episode Chapters with Justin Adams on the South Fork Lodge

04:54 - Justin started as a part-time guide while working for the Forest Service for 10 years. It was around 2018 when he went all in and started guiding over 100 days a season.  

Fishing the South Fork

Justin says the South Fork is one of the best-known fisheries in the region. It holds a lot of fish per mile and can handle plenty of fishing pressure while still producing great days on the water. You can fish for cutthroat, brown trout, rainbows, and even hybrids called cutbows.

Seasons & Timing

Winter (December to February)  

Fishing slows, but snowmobiling and skiing take over.

Ice fishing is possible on nearby reservoirs.

Spring (March to May) 

High water from runoff, but big browns are on the move.

Worm patterns and big nymphs work best.

Summer (June to August)  

The legendary Salmon Fly hatch happens around July 4th. 

Dry flies dominate, with fish looking up for big bugs.

Fall (Sept–Oct)  

Low water levels make for easier wading.

Brown trout start spawning, so target deep holes away from the beds.

Most anglers visit in July, especially around the 4th, when the salmon flies hatch.

Justin’s Go-To Set-Up for the South Fork 

13:13 - Justin swears by a simple but deadly setup, which is the double Pat’s Rubber Legs or what they also call "two turds". He usually runs it under a mini bobber with a swivel setup, and if he needs more depth, he says he'll add a split shot.

 Guides also swear by the Mic Drop, a simple olive-bodied fly with an orange collar. It looks like a zebra midge but could imitate just about anything. Sizes 16 to 20 work best, depending on the conditions.  

https://youtu.be/QUK-if6brp0?si=CNuh5On4qwtoBGXQ

Rods

Justin swaps between 9 ft and 10 ft rods for nymphing. He uses the 10 ft rod (usually a 5-weight with a 6-weight line) for easier mending. Since they're mending all day, he says the extra length helps control the drift. It’s all about keeping the fly line behind the indicator for a slow, natural presentation.  

Leader

Justin builds his leaders instead of using store-bought tapered ones. His setup uses a hinge system under the indicator, creating a 90-degree rig.  

Why Fish on the South Fork Have Scuffed Noses

During the salmon fly hatch, the trout on the South Fork get aggressive. They’re actively picking them off the rocks instead of just waiting for bugs to land. Many fish end up with scuffed noses or even a bit of "road rash" from rubbing against the rocks while feeding. 

 The One Fly

The One Fly is a fly fishing competition and fundraiser on the South Fork and Upper Snake River. Anglers get just one fly. If they lose it,  they’re out. Bigger fish earn more points, so strategy matters. The event brings in top anglers from all over, but local guides lead the way.

https://youtu.be/9ZxmTBHEqAs?si=04eovcZemagJD5h2

The Rainbros Tournament 

Jimmy Kimmel and his crew fish every spring in their dry-fly-only competition. The rules are simple: Topwater fish are two points, subsurface is one, and a whitefish is a minus point. Michael Keaton, Jason Bateman, and Huey Lewis get in on it.
 

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/731B