No change here: the Firehole River is the place to fish. Swinging soft hackle types, offering BWO, PMD and caddis life cycle ( with and without a dropper for subsurface forms) patterns are best strategies. Afternoon thunder showers with rain fall can dampen fishing success.
Some off color in the river between Hebgen and Quake Lakes. Below Quake Lake fish in no boating area fish seem to hold close to banks. So long casts and slow retrieves parallel to banks with nymph or streamer patterns offered by walking the banks instead of wading offers a good strategy through presenting nymph and streamer patterns. Try the good midge actviity on Hebgen Lake early or late in the day as wind makes it difficult to use dropper rigs. During windy periods try leech and streamer patterns using intermediate lines.
Flow out of Palisades Dam has been constant for a few days after several days of increasing. At 16500 cfs this flow and on downstream (about 18800 cfs at Heise,10600 cfs at Lorenzo) is above the usual for this time of the season by a few thousand cfs. Such flow puts good fishing “on the back burner” but as we warm both air and water, good fishing success will begin. Use the strategy and patterns we suggest in our last fishing report for the South Fork.
Golden Stone
Giant stone flies are on the wane on the lower river, but golden stone flies are coming on. With the current warm weather giant stone flies are flying through the upper river. With that going on and because of our almost ever present wind, dry stonefly patterns will be effective through the upper river. Remember: trout are in the water 24/7 and with wind spreading the bugs to all the river, fish will respond to correctly drifted patterns even in such as the Last Chance and Harriman locations because of canyons above and below. Soon big stonefly and golden stonefly activity will be gone, caddis activity will stay strong, then the mayfly season will begin with unequaled activity of various species from drakes to smaller versions, all that makes the Henry’s Fork so famed.
Currently good water quality reigns in temperature and clarity throughout the upper river and on downstream at least to Chester Dam. From this location, Fall River brings in run-off water in amounts that compromise this status.
Look for warming water because of our near record high air temperatures. Wind appears to be returning for the next few days. But increasingly the best places to fish will be near creek mouths ( Duck, Hope, Howard, Targhee, etc.) where cooler water enters and food forms are flushed into the lake attract trout. The trick is to begin fishing early, even at first light, because so many Henry’s Lake veteran anglers do the same.
Wind has impacted daytime fishing on all still waters. Fish such as Chesterfield, Daniels and Hawkins Reservoirs early and late in the day when wind is mild, and you will have action. Damsel flies and speckled duns have yet to reach their hatching peaks, but streamers and leech patterns produce during wind free AMs and PMs.
The giant stonefly hatch on the Firehole River between the Firehole Falls area and the Madison River confluence is ongoing. This hatch does not last long so better hurry to enjoy fish responding to it. Otherwise fishing is excellent ( BWO, PMD, white miller caddis life cycle patterns, swung soft hackle patterns) on the river above but becoming well visited by fly fishers from all over the world.
Commission is scheduled to set the upcoming seasons and rules on July 23-24
After sifting through dozens of suggestions from anglers, Idaho Fish and Game biologists – with approval from the Fish and Game Commission – are presenting the proposed fishing seasons and rules changes for the 2025-27 fishing seasons. Anglers have until 6 p.m. on June 10, MDT to provide comments, which can be done on the public comment webpage.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for consideration at the July 23-24 meeting in Pocatello.
Only one statewide change is being considered, which is lowering the bag limit for whitefish from 25 to 10 unless otherwise noted in the regulations.
There are proposed changes for each region except the Salmon Region. Anglers are encouraged to comment on these proposals to help Fish and Game staff and the Commission to gauge their preferences. See all the proposals at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/seasons.
The lower river is the best place to catch the giant stone fly hatch. Good numbers have yet to fly along the upper river, but upcoming warm weather will bring them out big time there. Also such weather will bring out recreational boaters, so some ” Share the River ” actions will be necessary in many locations. Consider that other major aquatic insects will begin appearing in good amounts soon to supplement those (large stoneflies, BWO, midges, caddis) being active with the warming weather.
Water Quality Information from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s SWE Report Filed Yesterday
Water quality is 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 were cooler than average yesterday and even a little below the optimal range for trout growth and activity in most reaches. Hatch timing is within one day of average at most locations but is likely to move up a little over the next two weeks as much warmer weather is in store.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Science and Technology Director
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
Recent heavy rains have caused flooding in Teton Valley especially along Highway 33 between Driggs and Victor. Flood water is receding, but warmer weather is sure to increase run-off in all Teton River streams flowing off the west side of the Grand Teton Range. So fishing Teton River in the basin has slowed, but with dropping water such patterns as San Juan worms or any other that simulates an annelid (worm) will be effective until waters drop to normal levels.