Fly Fishing Idaho’s Lesser Known Rivers. Bitch Creek.

Part II of V

Not only are the rivers in Idaho spectacular fly fishing, but there are also an abundant amount of creeks that deliver up beautiful native trout. Bitch creek is one of those lesser known creeks that is spectacular.

Idaho Fly Fishing in Bitch Creek

Who knows how the Bitch Creek got its name, but us Frenziers have our theory. There are 2 access points to fish on Bitch Creek that I will elaborate on further, but the one access point that we usually fish is very steep and quite a hike to get down. Worse than the hike down, is the ridiculous hike out. We have always stated, that once you get down you are good, but it is a Bitch to get out. Hence the name Bitch Creek.

The Creek

Bitch Creek begins as two separate forks that eventually join just before the Idaho border in Wyoming. North Bitch Creek begins just north of Moose Mountain. South Bitch Creek begins just north of Dry Ridge Mountain both peaks in the the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The two creeks meander out of the mountains and eventually meet about 5 miles due east from the Idaho/Wyoming border forming Bitch Creek. Just before it crosses into Idaho the Jackpine Creek also dumps into Bitch Creek. Once in Idaho, Bitch Creek is used as the border separating Fremont County and Teton County. Bitch Creek runs through spectacular canyon settings before it eventually dumps into the Teton River northwest of Driggs, Idaho. Bitch creek is itself only about 15 miles long. The north and south forks add an additional 8 – 10 miles, but the prime fishing waters of Bitch Creek is only about 12 – 15 miles.

Location
Bitch Creek is located in Southeast Idaho originating north of the beautiful Tetons. It passes through a part of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness before entering Idaho and continuing its journey through the Caribou Targhee National Forest. Needless to say it doesn’t lack beauty.

As I previously mentioned, there are two main access points to Bitch Creek. The most prominent is located on Highway 32 just north of the booming metropolis of Felt Idaho. Highway 32 is a connector highway from Ashton, Idaho to Tetonia Idaho. To get there you take Hwy 33 out of Rexburg, Idaho towards Driggs and just before Tetonia Idaho take Hwy 32 north. North of Felt Idaho Hwy 32 crosses Bitch Creek. There is a pull off where you can park and hike down to the creek either upstream or downstream. I personally have never fished upstream. As a side note, please respect the landowners/farmers properties by staying on the dirt roads that allow us fisherman access to these beautiful spots.

Fishing

Fishing on Bitch Creek is unlike any other fishery I’ve been to. The access is difficult and the hike to the creek is even worse, but all this adds to the feeling that you are the only one within miles of these fish that call Bitch Creek home. And chances are you will be alone, never seeing another person’s face the whole day.

The best time to fish Bitch Creek is after spring runoff from mid June on. Yetter, Gene Simmons, and I found out the hard way on Frenzy 1 back in 2002. I have mostly fished sub surface with stone fly nymphs mainly the famous Bitch Creek nymph. Standards such as pheasant tails, hares ears, and prince nymphs always work well. Hopper patterns have also proven very productive.

If you are looking for the perfect place to catch big Cutts with virtually no pressure then Bitch Creek is your place. I have added some pics to give you all a better feel of what this little creek is all about, but they don’t quite do it justice.

ENJOY