Flat Creek is about to open for casting.

The National Elk Refuge section of Flat Creek will open to anglers on Friday. The open portion of the creek will remain accessible to anglers through Oct. 31.
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“It’s just a different kind of fishing,” said Jody Albis of the Orvis shop in Jackson. “It’s super technical. You gotta be good to really fish it well.”

It’s a popular piece of water, the state’s only “fly-only” stream. Much of the attraction for anglers is big views of the Tetons and the Gros Ventre Mountains.

The fishing is considered difficult by most anglers but the access is great, only 2 miles north of Jackson. Guides tell clients they’ll have to choose their flies to “match the hatch” and that they’ll be dealing with some smarter-than-average fish.

Some good sunglasses are also recommended because there’s just about no shade on the refuge.

The creek contains mostly cutthroat trout, though a few brook trout are also to be found. Anglers such as Albis say they like it because it’s “big fish in small water.”

Orvis will host a grand reopening party tonight at 6. The outfitter scheduled the party to celebrate the reopening of Flat Creek.

There will be live music from Screen Door Porch along with free beer and food from Snake River Brewing and chef Tyler Hallquist. The shop will also have a free raffle for fishing gear as well as in-store discounts.

“We’re coinciding with the Flat Creek opener,” Albis said. “Just to kind of celebrate the fact it’s opening.”

Orvis is at the 5-Way intersection, where West Broadway, Pearl Avenue and Flat Creek Drive come together.

This article appeared in the Jackson Hole News & Guide on Thursday, July 31, 2014.