Henry’s Fork, June 1st, 2024
The lower river above Chester Dam remains offering the most consistent fly fishing in the region. Caddis populations are expanding and PM BWO activity brings fish up reliably. Streamer patterns work during low light conditions. But the big story is the giant stonefly activity of which trout are now aware. The lower river now features the peak of activity, and the best way to approach fish keying on these big bugs is to begin above the hatch and work down into it. For now that means from the Riverside Campground area downstream to the Chester Dam to Ashton Dam. With warming weather hatch intensity moves upstream into such as Box Canyon and Coffee Pot. Size is the most important aspect in pattern selection. Presentation is easy: place it just a few feet above a rising fish several seconds after its last rise,or make a long drift over an area were a number of fish are rising.
Water Quality Information from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s SWE Report for the Henry’s Fork Drainage Filed May 31st, 2024
Water quality remains good to excellent throughout the watershed. Turbidity is lower than average for this time of year throughout the watershed, and dissolved oxygen is above average. Water temperatures have cooled a bit over the past few days but will increase over the next few days. Hatch timing is within one day of average at all locations—generally a little behind average. However, I expect it to catch up to average if not get a hair earlier than average over the next week due to warmer temperatures. A very short period of high runoff would provide a greater chance of fill than a long period of relatively low runoff. Right now, weather forecasts favor the former scenario. Regardless, current reservoir volume is already higher than its peak volume last year, which is higher than it had been in several years.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Science and Technology Director
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CEL