South Fork - Upper Section

The upper reaches of the river stretch for approximately 18 miles from the Palisades Dam down to the Conant Valley access. The section from the dam through the first nine miles offers a fairly narrow and deep channel, and as the river spreads out below Irwin, a series of islands and side channels and several gravel bars present opportunities that definitely will challenge the skills of the best creel men.

Access to this section off of Highway 26 is available just below the dam, in Irwin at the Sportsmen’s Access and at the Swan Valley Bridge (also known as Spring Creek Bridge). Several boat launches on the Snake River Road side of the river can be reached by driving across the dam at Calamity Point or by entering Snake River Road on the west side of Swan Valley Bridge.

Wade fishermen easily can access the river just east of the Swan Valley Bridge either on Highway 26 or off of Snake River Road between the bridge and Fall Creek Falls. Winter flow levels (October to March) usually run between 875 to 1150 CFS, and really open up this upper section to waders.