Drift boat fishing on the Henry’s Fork is not possible right now because all of the boat ramps are still snowed in. However fishing has been really productive on the Henry’s Fork. Midges are being taken on the surface. Glo Bugs,  San Juan worms, Rubber leg stonefly nymphs and Zebra Midges are producing fish in good numbers. As the warm weather continues it will not be long until Blue Wing Olives and March Browns will be hatching. Good places to walk in and fish is the confluence at Warm River, Vernon Bridge (don’t fish above the bridge…its closed!) Sealy’s, Chester Dam, The Fun Farm, and below St. Anthony.

Flows on the South Fork have dropped again to 1000 cfs at the Dam. With the decreased snow fall in the mountains this year the Bureau of Reclamation is trying to store as much water as they can. This will not directly effect the fishing this time of year. However remember that floating the river takes more time with the decreased flows. If you are going to float we recommend short 3 mile floats, these will take you the majority of the day. However we suggest you wade fish.

Dead drift nymphs 7-8 feet below an indicator. Use a #6 or #8  Rubber leg stonefly nymph, bead head nymphs size 16-18, also Glo bugs and San Juan worms. There has also been success with Super-X’s dead drifted below a indicator and being swung through deep pools. Midges are still hatching but are very inconsistent, look for fish eating them in the foam lines.

We have many customers calling and coming to talk to us about fishing on the South Fork today. While fishing on the South Fork is good right now, floating the river is not your best option. Right now the flows are lower than they have been all winter. Flows out of the Dam are around 1200 cfs. This means that a 3 mile float is going to take you all day to float. Snow removal is not maintained on the boat ramps during the winter. All of the Swan Valley boat ramps are snowed in and not accessible with a truck and trailer. The only boat ramps that are open on the river is Wolf and Byington. Byington however is iced over and requires chains, and 4×4 drive to get your truck out of the ramp.

With the flows being this low walk in access is very good. We suggest Heise Bridge, Wolf Flats, Kelley Island, Spring Creek Bridge, and Fall Creek. Access to the Canyon road is closed above Wolf Flats but the fishing is accesable along this road up to that point. From the road closure you can walk in but no vehicles are allowed to protect wintering wildlife. Catching fish has been productive with Rubberleg Nymphs , Beadhead nymphs and midges on top. There has been some productivity on Streamers but you must present them extremely slow because the fish are not that active. Concentrate your fishing during the warmest part of the day and you should find some success during this spell of warm weather. For any more information or questions call us here at the shop.

Warming days will help with access and bring BWOs into big emerging numbers.  Big stonefly nymphs are a good bet above Chester backwaters to Vernon Bridge ( Vernon Bridge to Ashton Dam opens general season) and above Ashton Reservoir to Warm River.   Streamers will work throughout for post spawning bows and hungry browns. The further upstream you go the more likely access will be a problem because of snow and shore ice.

Streamers are the name of the game now with post spawning rainbows and hungry browns making for action.  For top water enthusiasts, midge patterns offer action from smaller fish, and some BWOs are showing up on the lower reaches.  With warming days access will become easier for both walk-in wading and float fishing.

Winter season closes on these March 31st, in fact this season closes tomorrow (Feb. 28th) on Silver Creek.  Others that close March 31st and have been fishing well include Warm River and Fall River. Small nymphs work well in both with large stonefly nymphs producing in Fall River between Chester and the canyon mouth. The Little Wood River remains open year round, and should be on your “to try” list for March.  Not much run-off is expected here this year. If the river is a bit discolored when you visit,  rely on woolly bugger types around overhead cover and at transitions.   When it clears try caddis and BWO life cycle patterns.

Reports tell us that the river below Mackay Dam and around the campground is good fishing.  Flows out of the dam have remained constant at just over 100 cfs.  Small beadhead nymphs, such as prince’s, bead head or regular are working.  So are midge patterns and golden stone nymph patterns. BWOs should become important any day now.  Remember the winter season closes on March 31st.

South Fork is starting to pick up. This warmer weather is providing some good days on the river.  March is one of Jimmy’s favorite time of the year to fish the South Fork. Nymphing is really the ticket for catching fish right now. Streamers are working but you need to slow down your presentation to almost a dead drift. The Midges are hatching but it’s not consistent and fish are not always up feeding on them. A brown rubberleg, with a black zebra midge, or a size 16-18 pheasant tail is working really well.

Picking you day is still the key for catching fish. Take advantage of this warm weather and have some fun out there.

Some of our small streams are practical to fish during the winter season which ends on March 31st.  These include Warm River around the campground and Fall River above Chester to the mouth of the canyon.  Small bead head nymphs, golden stonefly nymphs, midge and caddis pupa patterns can be effective, and on milder days midges and a few BWOs will bring surface action.  Expect to go through snow and shore ice to get to water in most locations.

The lower river will become more important to consider as we move into March.   Access will become easier, early season mayflies will begin to appear, streamer patterns will be attractive to post-spawning rainbows,  big stonefly nymphs will always be candidates for excellent fishing, and midge life cycle patterns will work.   Realize the further east (upstream) you venture on the river, the more likely access will be difficult because of shore ice and snow pack. Candidate locations to give the lower ‘Fork a try, you ask?  Consider off Cottonwood Drive  below St. Anthony,   around the Fun Farm Bridge and upstream on the west side road to the Hooray Ranch, below the Vernon Bridge, around Seeley’s.  At Seely’s, Nedrow’s,  and other locations, please respect private property.  Access to the river through properties such as these are privileges granted by generous land owners.  If you see them, consider thanking them and do everything possible to show them you appreciate their generosity.