Jackson Hole One Fly

Mission

To generate, manage and grant funding for projects and education which environmentally benefit the future of trout and fly fishing by annually sponsoring a three-day event uniting enthusiastic fly fishers from around the world with premier regional guides who all endeavor to celebrate the joy and spirit of the sport during the fishing, social and fundraising activities of the event, and who throughout the year, promote that same joy and spirit of fly fishing and the future of the trout.

Event

Dec. 15 – Team application deadline
Jan. 15 – 2019 Team notification
Feb. 15 – Team withdrawal deadline
Apr. 15 – Team fee balance due
Sep. 5-8 – 2019 One Fly Event

Upcoming Event Information

2018 Event Recap

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About

The Jackson Hole One Fly Foundation organizes, manages and administers the One Fly Event every September in Jackson Hole, WY. The JHOFF uses monies raised to fund stream conservation, habitat preservation and rehabilitation projects along with stewardship education. Founded in 1986, the JHOFF is committed to responsible stream conservation activities in concert with other not-for-profit, state and federal agencies to benefit fly fishing, trout habitat and therefore trout populations primarily in the Snake River drainage and headwaters in Yellowstone Park

From the Chairman

Welcome to the 2019 One Fly! I hope you enjoy the events scheduled this year and
good luck fishing. For more than 30 years, I‘ve competed in this event and like all contestants
have dealt with both good and bad fishing days. When I’m up against it and my luck is running
low, I‘m often reminded of Hemingway’s classic The Old Man and Sea. In his timeless story,
Hemingway’s protagonist fishes over 80 days without catching a single fish. He was seen as
“salao,” the worst form of bad luck. But he persists, without casting blame on others, even
though his young apprentice deserts him. The Old Man eventually ventures alone into the Gulf
Stream off Cuba and his 85 days of bad luck ends with the catch of a lifetime, a great marlin.
The story continues with the Old Man enduring terrible challenges in towing the marlin back to
shore, which he handles with tenacity. The story is inspiring and truly a wonderful narrative of
courage.
When my fishing at the One Fly is going sideways, it’s frustrating and maddening.
Made more unpleasant by being chided, “You shoulda been here yesterday; it fished much
better.” That euphemism stings worse than catching a chernobyl size 10 into my index finger. It
hurts! But tough days on the river happen. Hopefully, every fisherman can accept “salao” with
grace as did the Old Man with his struggles, exhibiting courage of good sportsmanship, not
looking to lay blame where it doesn’t belong.
I realized early the problem is not in the river or the fish themselves who clearly aren’t
trying to do me any favors. I’ve come to recognize the fault lies in me. Least helpful is carping at
the fishing guide, which is pretty laughable. If the guide got me on the water, he most likely put
me over numerous and sizeable fish, which for variety of reasons, I didn’t catch. Perhaps I
misplaced my focus, forgot my patience, or perhaps simply chose the wrong fly, or maybe I
made a sloppy cast. Whatever the reasons, fishermen do have bad luck; it’s inescapable and
manages to hook us all at some time during the event. What’s the old saying? It’s called
“fishing” and not “catching.”
This year, whatever occurs when you’re casting about on the river, I hope you
appreciate the JHOF. It is truly a unique and fabled event, held each year to promote friendship,
sportsmanship and the simple enjoyment of fly fishing. Along the way, I hope you’ll join me to
contribute to the event’s mission of raising funds to benefit our local fisheries. After all, the real
purpose of the One Fly is the opportunity for our sponsors, participants and guides, to pitch-in to
protect and improve the fishing.
Finally, remember the guides and their efforts in rowing you down the river. They work
hard at putting all of us over decent fish, so we have a chance to hook a big one. These fellows
are dedicated partners of the One Fly, rooting for contestants in their boats to have a fun,
productive day. My suggestion is when the fishing is over, when it’s time to shake hands, it
would be an nice gesture to tip them in acknowledgement of their efforts.
I’ll see you on the river.