Ice Fishing with Grand Teton Fly Fishing- Ice Fish Jackson Hole!

For many years we have sought out a viable private lake access for those early summer days when the rivers are too high for good angling, a location to take beginners, kids or perhaps disabled, looking for a safe and fun experience. Well, in 2019 we met Lelio Ravagnani, owner of Lava Creek Ranch on the east side of Togwotee Pass and our relationship began.

His property and our growing partnership has fulfilled that early season venue. In addition, starting in 2020 we acquired all the necessary equipment and began running ice fishing excursions to the 3 acre lake once the ice is deemed safe, typically about Thanksgiving. Before this, there was no legal ice fishing guides operating from Jackson Hole. Our local lakes on public land are very good ice fishing but there are no permits or concessions that offer operators an avenue for business in the winter, therefore the private lake checked all the boxes.

The lake at LCR is well stocked with some rainbows in the 2-5 lb range and a few wild fish that work in from Lava Creek, namely brook trout. We only run 2-3 trips per week to allow the ice to remain safe and heal (wind and snow covers older tracks) from previous traffic as well as keeping the fish healthy and under stressed. Furthermore, we use hand tied jigs with single barbless hooks. Most days we encounter about 15 looks on our sonar, 10 eats and land 6-8 nice trout. It is catch and release only.

Our typical itinerary is as follows: Depart JH about 9:15am, arrive and setup at 10:30, fish 11am-3pm with a light lunch provided, break down and depart for JH at 3:15, arrive in JH between 4:15 & 4:45. As the daylight increases in the New Year this can be adjusted an hour or so later.

So far this has been a success with only a few trips running thus far in the 2020 season. We are not advertising yet and want to keep this limited to about 2 trips weekly and up to 15-20 for the entire season. Rates include all the gear, except your personal warm layers and boots. We have sonar to see the fish and be interactive and a shelter for the cold and windy days but remaining mobile is best.

This trip is a lot of fun and includes a very scenic drive past the Tetons and over Togwotee Pass. Rates are: $500 single person, $700 two anglers, $900 three anglers, $1100 four anglers (max). There is room for folks to come and watch and if not fishing the rate is only $50 per additional person.

To inquire or book this winter adventure call Scott Smith at 307.690.4347 or email at [email protected]

Tight lines and see you out there!