Hoback River
Cutthroat water off Highway 191 with a big salmonfly hatch, 32 mapped access points and runoff that clears early.
- 73 miRiver length
- Aug–SepBest season
- 1Game fish
- 32Access points
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Hoback River
Every access point, mapped
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About the Hoback
The Hoback is cutthroat water and a great stream to wade. Access is easy off Highway 191, and it has an excellent salmonfly hatch.
Cutthroat move up from the Snake to spawn here. Most run 8 to 13 inches, and a few over 16 inches are caught every year. Spring runoff also ends sooner here than on a lot of nearby water.
An 8.5 to 9 foot rod in a 4 or 5 weight is about right. Late summer, August into September, is the stretch people plan around.
Hoback River near Jackson, WY
Is the Hoback fishing today?
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Nearby gages
- Snake River below Flat Creek, near Jackson, WY17.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 13018750
- Snake River above Reservoir, near Alpine, WY19.0 mi away Not reporting USGS 13022500
- Cache Creek near Jackson, WY21.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 13018300
- Green River at Warren Bridge, near Daniel, WY22.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 09188500
- Greys River above Reservoir, near Alpine, WY23.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 13023000
- Flat Creek below Cache Creek, near Jackson, WY24.3 mi away Not reporting USGS 13018350
- Salt River above Reservoir, near Etna, WY27.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 13027500
- Fish Creek at Wilson, WY28.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 13016450
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
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Hatching in November
What's on the water in the Snake Headwaters watershed this month, and the fly to match.
All 11 hatches this year
Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.
Tips for fishing the Hoback
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Rod choice
An 8.5 to 9 foot 4 or 5 weight covers almost everything on the Hoback.
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Time the salmonflies
The salmonfly hatch is the big event. The regional calendar puts it in May and June. Bring Chubby Chernobyls and big orange dries.
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Start early in the year
Runoff tends to end sooner here, so the Hoback can be fishable while bigger rivers nearby are still high.
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Keep it simple in late summer
In August and September, Orange Stimulators and Parachute Adams are local standbys.
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Use the pullouts
Highway 191 follows the river. With 32 mapped access points, it is easy to move if a spot is taken.
Every access point on the Hoback, in your pocket.
- 32 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the Hoback
Hoback River FAQ
When is the best time to fly fish the Hoback River?
August and September are the classic months. The salmonfly hatch earlier in the summer is worth planning for too.
Is there public access on the Hoback River?
Yes. Access is easy off Highway 191, and all 32 mapped access points are in the free FlyFishFinder app.
How big are the trout in the Hoback?
Most cutthroat run 8 to 13 inches. A few over 16 inches are caught each year.
What flies work on the Hoback River?
Chubby Chernobyls, Orange Stimulators and Parachute Adams are local favorites.
What rod should I bring to the Hoback?
An 8.5 to 9 foot rod in a 4 or 5 weight.
Is the Hoback fishing well today?
This page shows the live gage. For a rating of how it is fishing today, open the river in the FlyFishFinder app.
