Frequently Asked Questions
What should we wear?
The weather in Jackson Hole varies greatly throughout the day. During July and August temps may be in the 40's when we pick you up in the morning and get up into the 80's during the day. It is best to dress in layers and bring a small pack so you can shed your jacket as the day goes on or pull out a raincoat if an afternoon shower rolls in.
During April, May, June, September, and October, anything goes here in Wyoming. You can have cold snow and hot sun all in the same day. We always tell people to come prepared for winter and hope for summer. Bring a warm shell, fleece, hat, and gloves. Then hope you shed it all down to a T-shirt.
As for footwear, simply wear some shoes you don't mind getting wet. Sneakers, sandals, hiking shoes are all good. We can keep you dry if you wish, but sometimes you get your feet wet stepping out of the boat.
Are there bathroom facilities?
Typically there are outhouses at the places where we launch and land our boats. If you need to go to the bathroom during the day it is no problem at all. We simply pull over in a nice private spot and you can avail yourself of the bushes. We carry toilet paper on the boats if you need it.
Can we put 3 people in a boat?
The boats are designed to hold two fishermen plus a guide. In the case of a couple with a child we are happy to put a third person in the boat for a small extra charge. If you are three large men, then you will need two boats. The two boats can stay close together, have lunch together, switch passengers, etc.
What is an appropriate gratuity for our guide?
Your guides work hard and are very appreciative of any gratuity you wish to give them. This is, of course, not required but is a fairly standard practice. We typically offer the guideline to tip your guide as you would in a restaurant. 20% give or take based on your experience is the norm, but feel free to do whatever works best for you.
What happens in the case of rain?
Jackson Hole has a high desert climate. It is rare to have an entire day of rain. What is far more common is for some scattered rain showers to pass through the area. As long as you have a rain jacket you should be fine. Fishing is fairly weather proof, so we rarely cancel due to rain. If it seems it is going to storm all day, we can look into rescheduling your trip based on availability. One thing that is important to stress here is to pay no attention to the weather forecast. They have a very difficult time forecasting the weather here in the mountains. Most days during the summer, the Weather Channel forecast shows half a cloud with rain and a lightning bolt coming out of it. Most days during the summer it is sunny and gorgeous.
We have never fished before, is this trip appropriate?
Absolutely. Our guides are excellent instructors and can give you all the skills neccesary to put you onto fish. Teaching people is what we do.
How long is the trip?
A half day trip is about 4.5 hours door to door, with about 3.5 hours of actual fishing time. A full day trip is pretty flexible based on your needs, but typically about 8 or 9 hours door to door, with most of that being time on the water.
What is the cancelation policy?
Cancelation Policy: 50% Deposit will be charged at time of booking. Remaining balance will be automatically charged to your card 72 hours before trip. Deposit is refundable minus a $40 per boat cancellation fee for trips cancelled outside of 72 hours before trip. No refunds for trips cancelled within 72 hours of trip.
Guiding Philosophies
Great Fishermen vs. Great Fishing Guides
It would be easy for us to say that fishing is a passion for us here at Jackson Hole Anglers. And while it is true that fishing is a passion for us, what sets us apart from other outfitters in the area is our true love: Guiding. You might ask what's the difference between being a great fisherman and being a great guide. The difference is huge. Our guides are great fishermen. They all know the intricacies of trout habitat, diets, and behavior. They understand river ecology and hydrology. They are expert fly casters, and extremely knowledgeable in entomology and the flies that imitate the bugs. All of that and more goes into being a great fisherman. What sets us apart is our love for guiding.
A guide is a person who takes an individuals raw ability and molds it into skill. A guide takes you farther and teaches you more than you are able to do on your own. A guide will pay constant attention to the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of your day. We love to do this. We love teaching people new things, showing them a different way. Whether it is showing a person who has never fished before how to cast a fly rod, or showing a seasoned angler a more efficient way to mend their line. We get a kick out of it all.
Spending a day on the river with one of our guides is a great experience. They will show you where the fish are and what fly or lure to use, of course. But they will show you so much more as well. They will talk about the mountains, the eagles, the history of the area. They can explain the big picture of how the health of the mountain environment parlays into great fishing. They will listen to your wishes and make your day into what you want it to be. A guide is a person who is not tied to his or her own agenda, but a person whose purpose is to give you the best experience possible. Whatever that may be.
Catch & Release
People often ask us if they can keep the fish they catch. Typically folks are used to going down to their local stream, catching a few trout, bringing them home and frying them up for dinner. This is a great tradition. One that has been going on for millennia. In recent years, our population has grown to a point where our natural resources are not capable of sustaining our desires. Many rivers have been over-fished and polluted to a point where they no longer hold wild trout. These rivers are now stocked with trout that are subsequently harvested by fishermen.
Fortunately, that is not the case here in the Jackson Hole area. Because of the forward thinking of our local fishermen and state game and fish department, our rivers sustain a healthy population of wild trout! We do not have to stock our rivers around here to provide great fishing. One of the ways we maintain healthy natural trout populations is by practicing catch and release. There is a lot of fishing pressure on the Snake and Green Rivers and their tributaries. Guided fishing trips account for a large percentage of this pressure. If every guided trip allowed their guests to keep just one fish, our wild trout population would be depleted in no time.
Because of this, all of our trips practice catch & release. We ask that you enjoy your experience to the fullest. Marvel at the fantastic scenery, gaze at the Bald Eagles, learn new skills, catch lots of fish, take lots of pictures. Please leave this wonderful river the same or better than you found it.
Fishing Guides
Jackson Hole Anglers employs some of the finest fly fishing guides in the nation. Our fishing guides come from a variety of different locations and backgrounds. Our guides do, however, share some very important attributes. They are passionate instructors, guides, and fishermen. For more information on our guiding philosophy, please visit our philosophies page. Below are some brief portraits of some of our fishing guides.
David Ellerstein: Owner
David Ellerstein began his professional guide career in Ontario, Canada back in 1989, and has been a guide ever since. He has guided fishing, canoeing, and whitewater rafting all over North America. David moved to Jackson Hole in 1995, and founded Jackson Hole Anglers in 2001. His lifelong passion for guiding trips has helped him become one of the premiere guides in the area. David has passed his knowledge on to many guides and gets a great thrill from seeing others achieve things they didn't think they could do. David spends his winters as a ski instructor at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where he is the Head Coach of the Jackson Hole Steep and Deep Camps and the 2011 Adult Ski Instructor of the Year. In his free time he runs rivers and fishes all over North America. David is an extremely patient and knowledgeable guide, capable of teaching the most veteran of fishermen something new. David has a relaxed approach to fishing, which means people will have a great time, regardless of what the day holds.
Jason Moore: Head Guide
A native of Rochester, NY, Jason has a passion for the outdoors like few others. In the guide world, we like to say that Jason is one of those guys who "has gills". Jason likes to spend just about every waking moment fishing, hunting, or skiing. An expert caster and about the friendliest guy you'd ever want to meet, Jason makes a day on the water more than just enjoyable, he makes it truly memorable. First class personal attention and a burning desire to catch fish are just some of the things you'll get during a day with Jason Moore.
Rhys Brown: Lead Guide
Trout fishing is at the core of Rhys' soul. He was first introduced to the sport as a boy fishing for Golden Trout in the High Sierras. He honed his skills growing up on the trout streams of Colorado. In Jackson since 2013, he has been working on being a fishing and fly tying Jedi. Rhys' calm personality, quiet demeanor, and strong skill set are sure to make any day a memorable one.
TJ Moulton: Lead Guide
"TJ" is a true Jackson Hole native whose family has been in the valley longer than just about anyone. Having grown up here, TJ as an intimate knowledge of our lakes and rivers. TJ is an oustanding young guide whose patience, knowledge, and personality have quickly made him one of our favorites. An expert horseman and a ski instuctor in the winter, TJ is an outdoorsman of the highest order.
Nate Mintz
After a distinguished college football career, Nate moved to Jackson in 2008 and started his guiding career. For well over a decade now Nate has been guiding fishing, skiing, and whitewater rafting. He is also a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, a Fireman (Mr. November), a husband and a father. Nate's teaching skills, outdoor expertise and fishing knowledge allow him to effectively guide beginners and experts alike.
Ryan Bradshaw
Ryan is a born and bred Wyoming native, hailing from Thermopolis, Wyoming. A day with Ryan is a mix of catching lots of fish and crying from laughing so much. Ryan has the unique ability to adapt to any and all fishing situations. Regardless of your level of experience, if you’re with Ryan you’re bound to have a fishing trip to remember.
Ryan Mertaugh
Fishing Guide and AMGA Mountain Guide Ryan Mertaugh exemplifies our three priorities of Safety, Fun, and Learning. When he's not on the water putting his guests onto trophy trout, Ryan is a lead for our Teton County Search and Rescue Team, a mountain guide, and a whitewater guide. Ryan has the highest degree of professionalism and is truly a joy to spend the day with.
Cam Fields
Cam is a highly experienced guide of hunting, fishing, and so much more. A veteran of our armed forces, Cam spends much of his free time guiding veterans through his non-profit the Front Country Foundation.
Zac Velarde
After years working in the hospitality industry, Zac turned his passion for fly fishing into a career and we are all better for it! Zac quickly became a client favorite and has become known for putting guests on to fish. Lots of fish! His affable demeanor and patient instruction are the building blocks of a great day. The future is bright for this young fishing guide.
Carsten Stuhr
Lifelong riverman and human jukebox Carsten Stuhr joined the JHA team in 2023. He spent decades guiding rafting and kayaking and has now elevated his game to guide fishing. Carsten's intimate knowledge of the river and it's patterns make every day with him safe, interesting, and fun. Whether he has a fly rod, oar, or guitar in hand, you know you are in for a great day with Carsten..
More Guides
The above guides are some of our full time guides. There are a few others that work for us as well, but we did not have a bio for. All of our fishing guides are safe, patient, and knowledgeable. Whichever guide you go out with is sure to show you a great day on the river!
Information on the Jackson Hole Area
Lodging
There are a ton of different lodging options in Jackson Hole. There is everything from modest motels, to luxury resorts, to fabulous homes for rent. And everything in between. There are two main areas where the lodging is available. The town of Jackson and Teton Village.
Town of Jackson
We reccomend that most people stay in the Town of Jackson. Staying in town has two great benefits. One is that you can easily walk to dining, shopping night life, and more. The other is that it is the best location (shortest drive) to all your activities, whether that be fishing, rafting, biking, hiking, wildlife tours etc. Jackson is about a 10 minute drive from the Jackson Hole Airport.
- A few of the many lodging options in Jackson (listed most to least expensive):
- Hotel Jackson
- Wort Hotel
- Alpine House
- Parkway Inn
- Ranch Inn
Teton Village
Teton Village is the home to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which is the main ski area here. In recent years a number of new, large hotels have popped up in Teton Village. They are very nice and have some good restaurants in them. The upside of staying in Teton Village is very nice hotels and you have a bunch of fun activities that the ski resort offers right out your door. The downside is that it is a 20 minute drive to the town of Jackson, meaning that you have to add in an extra 40 minutes round trip driving to most activities that you want to do (like fishing, rafting, etc.). Teton Village is about a 40 minute drive from the Jackson Hole Airport.
- A few lodging options in Teton Village (listed most to least expensive):
- Four Seasons
- Hotel Terra
- Teton Mountain Lodge
- Snake River Lodge
- Alpenhof
Activites
Jackson Hole is truly an outdoor paradise. Most outdoor adventures that you can think of are not only available here, but are truly awesome here. Obviously we think fly-fishing is at the top of that list, but below we have listed just some of the world class activities you can easily partake in. These are the best things to do in Jackson Hole:
- Fly-Fishing
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Whitewater Rafting
- Horseback Riding
- Paragliding
- Road Biking
There are also a number of more passive activities for when you are looking to just sit back and relax:
- Spa
- Rodeo
- Hot Air Balooning
- National Museum of Wildlife Art
- Tram at Teton Village
- Shopping
Dining
Despite the fact that Jackon is a small town, we have a ton of fabulous restaurants. Many of the same level you would find in in the worlds top dining destinations. While the full list is huge, here are a few of our reccomendations of the best restaurants in Jackson Hole:
- Snake River Grill
- Il Villagio Osteria
- Trio
- The Kitchen
- Rendevous Bistro
- Spur
- Snake River Brewing
- Local
Fishing
This seems like a funny list on a site already dedicated to fishing but people have often asked us where can I fish in Jackson Hole? It obviously matters what is happening with weather and water, but in general this is a list of the best places to fly fish in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
- Snake River
- Green River
- Salt River
- Yellowstone National Park
- Hoback River
- Greys River
- Gros Ventre River
- Buffalo Fork