With flow out of Mackay Dam is down to 67 cfs, fish are concentrated in deep water below where nymph fishing is productive. Tough access makes skis or snow shoes a must, and middle of the day is most suited for fishing.
Lance Egan has had a passion for fly-fishing for nearly 30 years and has made a career of fly-fishing. Having worked for an all tackle store, 2 independent fly shops, and 12 years with Cabela’s he has worked with thousands of anglers and aided each in learning more about the fish they intend to catch, along with teaching them the benefits and advantages of various types of tackle and rigging. All the while, Lance has been a student of the sport and continues to learn about the intricacies of fishing. Currently, Lance works for Fly Fish Food, an online and storefront fly-fishing retailer in Orem, Utah, as the shop manager. In addition to his fly shop duties he is a Signature Fly Designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants, and, Lance, along with Devin Olsen, and Gilbert Rowley, created instructional fly-fishing videos available as digital downloads from Vimeo.com or as DVD’s (Modern Nymphing, Modern Nymphing Elevated, and Adaptive Fly Fishing). Lance is also the co-host of the Newb And The Knower fly fishing podcast. Lance lives in Lehi, Utah, with his wife, Autumn, and their two children.
Lance is a 3-time National Fly-Fishing Champion, 2-time ESPN Great Outdoor Games Fly-Fishing Champion, Fly-Fishing Masters Champion, Teva Mountain Games Fly-Fishing Champion, 3-time Utah Single Fly Champion and a current member of Fly-Fishing Team USA. With Team USA, Lance has represented America 15 times at the World Fly-Fishing Championships and is a 3-time World Fly-Fishing Championships medalist (1 Team Silver, 1 Team bronze, and 1 individual bronze).
Lance is a pro staff member of Scientific Anglers, Hyde Drift Boats, Flycraft USA, and often works with various fly-fishing companies to help design rods, lines, waders, boots etc. Social media channels for Lance include Facebook (Lance Egan), and Instagram (@lanceeganflyfishing).
During his Saturday demo at the shop, beginning at 10:30 AM, Lance will focus on tying patterns offered by Umpqua Feather Merchants, Fly Fish Food and in his DVDs, For certain he will offer” how to fish” information on each.
Access is declining. For example, the River Road above the Table Rock Road is closed to motorized access. Boat launch facilities are becoming snowed in ( Spring Creek) or low water makes dragging boats across river substrate (Conant Valley).. Flows remain at “maintenance levels”: about 900 cfs at both Irwin and Lorenzo, and a little better, 1300 cfs at Heise.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
208-652-3568 FAX
Upper river has water cold enough to slow fishing, and access is becoming tougher each day.
For the lower river access is better but hours on blue-bird days (midge activty and nymphing) are the only time for comfortable fishing.
Some fishing closures begin on December 1st in IDF&G’s Upper Snake and Southeast Idaho regions.
The Henry’s Fork in Harriman State Park, Sand Creek Ponds, Blackfoot River tributaries above Blackfoot River Reservoir, and Fish Haven Creek are included. Portions of Silver Creek also close to fishing on December 1st. Refer to to the 2022-2024 Seasons and Rules booklet to see these.
As with the Henry’s Fork below Ashton Dam, water temps are dropping to a level where fish are less active. Brown trout are still in a spawning mode, so streamers of choice are still effective when presented away from redds. Don’t overlook such patterns as rubber legs and San Juan Worms.
A gated closure to all motorized vehicles from the River Road-Table Rock Road junction upstream by the US Forest Service will begin December 15h to protect wintering wildlife. Access via skis and snowshoes is permitted as fishing remains open on the river.
Don’t fret: it’s coming soon!
The ice is still to thin for human access on the lake, but with cold, wind-free nights it is thickening and it should be safe enough in a matter of days. Most sources suggest that thickness near four inches is required for safe access. Bu icing over is not consistent across the lake as areas around springs and inlets thicken at a slower rate.
Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage Water Status Report Filed Yesterday
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL
Of all our major rivers, the main stem Snake will remain the most accessible through the winter. Access to it above American Falls Reservoir will diminish because of shore ice and adjacent snow. Cross country skiing, snow shoeing and use of snow machines will be required to reach many locations for fishing. Below American Falls Reservoir, more and easier access will be present along the river.
General fishing regulations for many streams in IDF&G’s Upper Snake River and Southeast Idaho Regions will continue through the winter on such as the South Fork, main stem Snake River and the Henry’s Fork excepting the Harriman State Park reach. However, many streams will remain open through the winter for the designated ” Catch and Release ” season. Those subject to this regulation, with exceptions, are given in the 2022-2024 Seasons & Rules booklet. As, and if, information “trickles in” on these streams, we will post such here.