Henry’s Fork

Henry’s Fork 11-26-2011

The  river below Ashton Dam remains a bit discolored, but streamer patterns are working for those hardy souls getting out on the river.  Browns are migrating, and rainbows are stocking up for winter.   As we said on the South Fork report, pitching streamer patterns while moving around to find water where fish hole up helps keep one relatively warm. Yes, the river has good days for top water midging, too. On the upper river (check road conditions before going) snow from a foot or two to much more makes it tougher to get to Box Canyon or the Tubs to pitch streamers.

Henry’s Fork 11-11-2011

Expect turbidity spikes in the river below Ashton Dam as work on the outlet tunnel and coffer dam proceeds.  Midge emergences are big time on the lower river, and small bead head nymphs, pattern of your choice,  catch fish, but streamers are catching the biggest fish.   Box Canyon and The Tubs are the place for big fish on the upper river. Dress for the occasion if you venture to these.

Henry’s Fork 11-05-2011

Inspection work on Ashton Dam requires reducing flows as low as 300 cfs from time to time over the next week. This fluctuation will  impact turbidity in the river as well as fish activity.  PacifiCorp will begin filling Ashton Reservoir on November 28th.   Best news is that because Island Park Reservoir holds abundant water, flows out of Island Park Dam will be at least 500 cfs through the winter. This is great news for fish especially the youngest which need bank side water for shelter.  Best way to enjoy top water fishing on the river now is with midge life cycle patterns as BWOs will begin to diminish.  Nymph patterns will also work, but streamer fishing is the best way to encounter the largest fish these days.

Henry’s Fork 10/19

Water quality has not improved below the Ashton Dam. We have been keeping in contact with a few individuals about this project and will update you as soon as we hear the water quality improves.

Warm River to Ashton stretch is fishing well with Blue Wing Olives, and midge Patterns. There are a few October Caddis out but nymphing seems to be the ticket for getting into large numbers of fish. Zebra Midge patterns and Mayfly bead head seem to be the most effective. Streamers have also been effective on the overcast days.

Henry’s Fork 10-11-2011

According to Henry’s Fork Foundation reports, water clarity is improving with suspended fines causing the off-color appearance of the river from Ashton Dam to the confluence with the South Fork. The mud flats exposed in the drained reservoir above the dam do not appear to be eroding into the river—good news!  Presenting streamers in the river above the reservoir to the Warm River confluence is a way to attract browns migrating to upstream spawning areas.   In Island Park it is time for large trout from the Harriman-Last Chance reach to begin migrating into Box Canyon for the winter.  Streamer fishing in the canyon is improving and will continue to do so as we move to the end of the year.   Further upstream consider trying streamer patterns in the river below the Big Springs-Henry’s Lake Outlet confluence. The holes known as “The Tubs” there host big trout this time  of year. This part of the river also features huge whitefish. They take midge and BWO life cycle patterns, provide great fillets, and turn out great after a stint in your smoker.

Henry’s Fork 9-19-2011

The lower river is discolored from construction activities at both Ashton and Chester dams.  To keep up on these activities go to the Henry’s Fork Foundation (www.henrysfork.org) home page and  look at the “Latest News” box for updates.

Henry’s Fork 9-13-2011

The last few feet of draw down of water from Ashton Reservoir should be completed this week. Turbidity in the river below the dam continues because of by-pass tunnel construction which will continue through the week.  The river is cutting a new channel in the upper end of the reservoir adding fines to the river below.  After draw down and tunnel construction are completed, look for improved water quality in the river below.  The Henry’s Fork Foundation  (www.henrysfork .org) publishes progress and observation reports on the Ashton Dam construction regularly.

Henry’s Fork 9-08-2011

Because of construction activities on Ashton Dam the river below clouds up from time to time.  So fishing below the dam has slowed. On the upper river Last Chance-Harriman is fishing well. Morning spinner falls, Mid-day and early evening terrestrial activity and evening caddis activity make for action.  Want a chance at a big cutthroat or brookie in the Henry’s Fork?  The flow out of Henry’s Lake is being dropped.  So fish that have come out of the lake and have survived the summer in the reach known as “Henry’s Lake Outlet”, mostly cutthroat but some hybrids and brookies, will be moving downstream into the Tubs above Macks Inn and eventually down to Island Park Reservoir.  Best way to encounter these is presenting streamer patterns from the Tubs on down through Coffee Pot.

Henry’s Fork 9-1-2011

We are all greatly interested in effects of Ashton Dam construction on the river below.  It appears that water will continue to be released until late next week in order to get the reservoir water level down 17 feet for work to be performed.  Therefore look for silt to be released through this time frame and impact river clarity at least as far downstream as the Chester Dam backwaters.  So far it appears that released silt is within expected amounts.  The Henry’s Fork Foundation (www.henrysfork.org) posts pictures of the river and is monitoring the impacts on it.

On the upper river around Last Chance and the Harriman reach, PMD spinner falls are bringing AM action, and terrestrial insect patterns bring action during daytime hours.  Have you ever twitched a hair mouse around grassy banks here around twilight?

Henry’s Fork 8-28-2011

The most important event likely on the whole river is construction ongoing at the Ashton Dam and impact on the river below.  The best way to keep up to date on construction impact is to go the Henry’s Fork Foundation web site: www.henrysfork.org, and under the Latest News banner click on Ashton Dam Tunnel Tap in Progress.