We have more reports about good fishing between Hebgen and Quake Lakes. This time it is from folks using streamer patterns. Fishing should be good there until tributaries draining high country pour discolored water into the river.
Are you a drift boater? try the Warm River to Ashton or Ora Bridge to Chester stretch. It’s time to begin using big stonefly nymph patterns when you do. If you are wading the river, please take a look at our last entry for the Henry’s Fork. Some important info on public access is on it if you have not seen it.
Flow out of Palisades Dam still going up. It’s now at 10000 cfs. Rainbows are spawning in river, and pitching streamer patterns, glo-bugs, and San Juan worms will attract the more aggressive ones.
2016 Yellowstone Park Fishing Licenses are in the shop. Fishing season there opens Memorial Day weekend, so there is plenty of time to come in & pick up yours!
We have word that the Madison River between Quake and Hebgen Lakes is currently a great place for nymphing, and that the river around Reynolds Junction is producing in the same manner. So if the South Fork and the Henry’s Fork are not to your present liking, here is an alternative.
Fall River is bringing in cold, discolored water, and this time of year the Ashton Dam acts as a settling basin. Flow out of Ashton Dam is just a bit above normal. Those facts pretty much tell where the best fishing can be found on the river. Within those limits BWOs, caddisflies, midges, and a few March browns are emerging and bringing responses from trout. Post spawning rainbows are taking streamers and stonefly nymph patterns drifting by. Afternoons make for best fishing, but be well insulated and ready for the cold water (currently not much above 40 deg. F.).
It’s cold, its discolored, and flow out of Palisades Dam is being increased almost daily to satisfy downstream irrigation demands. Currently flow out of the dam is around 8000 cfs. Tomorrow it will be more, and so on, and so on. So for the time being consider the Ashton Dam to Chester reach of the Henry’s Fork or the Madison River between the lakes or below them.
The Henry’s Fork is a bright star in the fly-fishing sky, and we are fortunate to enjoy fishing it. Considerable access to the river is provided through the generosity of land owners. There are times when sportspersons act in ways that do not respect that generosity leaving the offering landowner considering withdrawing access to the river. It is the responsibility of sportspersons to respect private property and abide by any rules for trespass. The Bill Fuchs family, owners of the Henry’s Fork Ranch, formerly Seeley’s, (east side of the river property from below Vernon Bridge to just above Chester Backwaters) are generous enough to allow access to a favored location on the river. Having experienced negative acts by some persons, they establish certain conditions for continued access to the river through their property. It is in our best interests as sportspersons to abide by these rules if we wish for continued access to the prime location on the Henry’s Fork.
Access Rules for Henry’s Fork Ranch
Parking is allowed for 4 vehicles. A vehicle with a trailer is considered two vehicles. No parking between livestock loading chute and driveway. Park along river edge.
This is a working cattle ranch. Enter at your own risk.
Beware of livestock, our dogs, electric fences, and natural conditions.
Our property line begins at the end of the paved road.
Access can be denied at any time.
No pets allowed outside vehicles; no exceptions!
You must complete information required and sign in.
No littering. Pick up all man-made litter on property and in river.
No fires, fireworks, firearm shooting, or overnight camping.
You can only launch or remove small non-motorized watercraft (under 150 pounds) from here. You must carry them not drag them up or down the bank.
If you have a motorized watercraft on the Henry’s Fork, you cannot use or access our property, no exceptions!
Access is limited to 100 feet of the river’s edge
Yours and others actions will determine present and future access.
Please act like a responsible sportsman and not like those who give sportsmen a bad reputation.
All property rights will be enforced.
Violators will be prosecuted.
Ice is off all irrigation reservoirs south and east of Pocatello. All we need now is a bunch of experiences to assemble a report. Blackfoot River Reservoir is not free of ice as of today. It is best to try Springfield Reservoir during week days to minimize crowding. Fishing success there has been “on and off.” Midge pupa patterns under an indicator at taking depth or slowly trolled patterns such as Randy Randolph’s BLM can bring interest from hold-over rainbows.
Run-off is coming into most small streams as weather warms up.Those in the valley including lower Blackfoot, Fall, Teton, and Warm Rivers can be fished during the catch and release regulation, but many higher country streams cannot be approached until roads open.