The headwaters of the Snake River are located in the backcountry of the Teton Wilderness near Yellowstone National Park. It’s named after its slithering nature and oxbow bends and is home to one of the few native trout species in the United States, the Snake River Cutthroat. The Snake is the ideal river for novice and beginner fishermen looking to catch fish on big dry flies. Fishing season on the Snake is generally from April 1 through October 31. Beginning from Jackson Lake Dam in Grand Teton National Park, the Snake offers up to eight different floatable stretches: four within Grand Teton National Park and four outside the Park boundary. Mangis Fishing Guides specializes in the four latter sections where the Cutts are big and the fishing is outstanding. In these lower sections of the Snake are an incredible variety of braided river channels, steep cliff banks, spring creek-like weed beds, shallow gravel bars, drop-offs, and deep pools, making it a favorite among local fly fishermen. It is not uncommon for first-time fly fishermen to hook and release 10-20 trout on dry flies ranging from 8 to 14 inches. More advanced anglers can enjoy 25+ fish days with larger fish consistently reaching the 16- to 20-inch range. In the lowest reaches of the river, below the whitewater section of the Snake River Canyon, Cutthroat and Brown trout have been recorded in the 22- to 25-inch range, usually taken on big streamer-type patterns in both early and late seasons. The Snake in early season can be quite cold, due to its glacial-fed sources. As mid-summer approaches (mid-July through late-August), wet wading is the norm. Popular patterns in early season include Wooly Buggers, Sculpins, Zonkers and Rubber Leg stone nymphs. After runoff completes, usually by early to mid-July, dry flies begin to dominate the attention of Cutts with Royal Wulfs, Humpies, Stimulators, Trudes, Parachute Adams, and Elk Hair Caddis as standard fly box elements. On warmer days, especially in August, flies such as Chernobyl Ants, Turcks Tarantulas, Hopper imitations, and Madam-X patterns are the best bets.