Fishing Reports

Henry’s Fork, May 20th, 2023

Any day now the giant then golden stone flies will be out along the lower river from Cardiac Canyon downstream to the Chester backwaters. Until these emerge, then fly and begin egg-laying activity, presenting nymph patterns of these will be effective. Caddis activity also abounds along this stretch of river. Discolored water persists from Warm River to Ashton Reservoir.

Henry’s Fork, May 16th, 2023

Forget about fishing the Warm River to Ashton section for a while. Robinson Creek and even Warm River (right now a run-off stream thanks to Island Park snow pack) are putting in cold, discolored water. Nevertheless, big stonefly nymphs are moving, and as we close in on the end of the month will be out and hatching along the lower river. Mother’s Day caddis remain along the lower river and best to encounter fish feeding on them is below Ashton Dam. Avoid using the Ora Bridge boat launch to minimize road damage until water level in the gravel pit drops.

Headlines from Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Water Supply Report filed yesterday for the Henry’s Fork Drainage.

• Temperatures and snowmelt were well above average yesterday; 71% of this year’s peak snowpack remains, compared with 66% on average.
• Natural streamflow is 140% of average.
• At an average outflow of 1195 cfs, Island Park Reservoir gained 2000 ac-ft yesterday and is 94% full, compared with 96% full on average.
• Although 95% full physically, the three reservoirs in the Henry’s Fork watershed are 57% full on paper, as the American Falls 1921 right is still being filled.

Henry’s Fork, May 13th, 2023

Flow is up with colder water throughout the river ( especially below Fall River and Warm River-Robinson Creek confluences) making for slower top water fishing even though BWO and Midge activity is good. Mother’s Day caddis are active in places. Streamer fishing can be productive when concentrated during low light periods and at out-of-direct-sunlight areas. Pattern choice is less important than understanding these conditions.

Stonefly nymphs are beginning to migrate and therefore becoming more available as a food form for trout. That’s another reason for slower top water fishing. Fish use less energy to feed along the river bed than rising to the surface. So as we move later in May, stonefly nymph patterns become more important in your fly box until adults appear.