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Henry’s Fork

Jimmy's All Seasons Angler / Henry’s Fork (Page 22)

Henry’s Fork, March 24, 2020

Some folks are drift boating from Warm River to Ashton.  Midges and BWO life cycle patterns will bring the most action, but streamer and stonefly nymph/rubber legs patterns will likely be more interesting to the larger fish anywhere you try the river. Consider trying places upstream along the river road after crossing the Fun Farm Bridge. Access on the lower river is shaping up, but the bad news is that the private access on the other side of the river above the Chester backwaters, known as Seeley’s, has been closed by the owner. Misuse by inconsiderate individuals accumulated enough to cause this closure.

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Henry’s Fork, March 10th, 2020

Flow out of Island Park Reservoir has been around 550 cfs all winter, that flow increased by that from the Buffalo River has given good natural shelter along banks to young trout for habitation.   This situation gives a better chance for a boost to future populations on downstream in the Island Park area.

Currently much of the lower river has  snow covered banks limiting access at boat launch sites and walk-in access at most places. Nevertheless,  were walk-in access is available, fishing has been good. Midge and BWO activity produce for the small fly enthusiast.  Streamers and big nymphs produce for the large fly enthusiast.

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Henry’s Fork 11-16-19

Lower river offers good streamer fishing for browns late and early in the day, but some ‘bows and browns are taking midge and BWO life cycle patterns. You may have to search  river locations to find just where such activity is going on.

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Henry’s Fork 11-9-2019

The lower Henry’s Fork has been offering great but sporadic fishing during these beautiful “Indian Summer” days.  Sporadic meaning fish seem active  in certain areas, but not in others.   Active means responding to midge and BWO activity. Case in point is our yesterday’s experience where there was little activity on the river just below the Ora Bridge ( some discolored water coming from construction actions on the far side of the river but the Ashton side features crystal clear water). Whereas in the Vernon Bridge area fish were numerously responding to midge and BWO activity.  So consider scouting out the river to find active fish before committing to a certain location.

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Henry’s Fork 10-26-19

Weather like we are having today may be difficult with the snow, wind, and falling air temperatures, but it is almost perfect for success through pitching streamer patterns for migrating browns. This applies to anywhere on the river below lower Mesa Falls to the South Fork confluence.  Dress accordingly!

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Henry’s Fork 10-15-19

Remember the comment “This time of year what happens on the lower Henry’s Fork is similar to what happens on the South Fork?”  This is the case with brown trout migrating to spawning areas in both rivers, and presenting streamer patterns being a most effective strategy to encounter them.  For sure resident rainbows ( and South Fork cutties) will also respond to well placed streamer patterns.

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Henry’s Fork 10-8-19

Aquatic and terrestrial insect hatches are “signing off” for the year. Now is when streamer patterns should dominate in that fly box.  With the wintry weather predicted for the next few days there will be enough time to ensure this suggestion.   Time at the tying bench or searching the fly bins of regional shops seems better than ice in the guides, in the reel mechanism and in freezing fingers.   Better weather is coming and  lower river brown trout will remain active for several weeks to come.

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Henry’s Fork 10-1-19

Notice the similarities between aquatic and terrestrial insect activity during September on the South Fork and the lower Henry’s Fork. The same applies to streamer pattern effectiveness.   Look for these similarities to continue through October. These fall off some for the upper Henry’s Fork where aquatic insect hatches are more diverse and brown trout are absent.  BWO activity and responding trout in any of these locations is reliable this time of the season.

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Henry’s Fork 9-24-19

With unsettled weather coming up, streamer fishing for migrating browns is becoming very attractive whether from Warm River to Ashton or Ashton Dam on downstream past St. Anthony.  Early or late in the day will be best regardless of weather.

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Henry’s Fork 9-21-19

Goings on along the lower river are very similar to happenings on the South Fork. No significant mutant stones but plenty of BWOs, some mahogany duns and a recommendation to try streamer flies especially under the current weather conditions.

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