Henry’s Fork

Henry’s Fork 7-24-12

Only significant change here is that flow out of Henry’s Lake has been dropped from 100 cfs to 71 cfs.  This drop in flow means especially larger fish in the Outlet section will begin moving downstream to find cooler water and more cover.  So the best fishing here is ending for the year.  Look for further drops in flow as we move through summer.   Elsewhere along the river start gearing up for terrestrial patterns being the most effective during daytime hours.

Henry’s Fork 7-21-12

Time to consider terrestrial patterns for best chances of success on the upper river.  Flavs are well past their peak, and PMDs are smaller and less numerous.   Evenings and late afternoons continue to bring activity because of caddis swarms and mornings bring activity from spinner falls.  If you enjoy evening action from caddis swarms but want a bit more solitude, try the lower Coffeepot reach.   Flow out of Henry’s Lake remains at 100 cfs, so fishing on the river in the Flat Ranch Preserve will hold up until flows drop when water storage begins on the lake.  Look for evening caddis swarms, and PMDs emerging during late morning.  But again, expect to have best success  through presenting terrestrial patterns.

Henry’s Fork 7/17/12

There are enough flavs and PMDs left to interest fish and make a trip to the upper river worthwhile, but look for terrestrial insects to increase in importance as a food form for fish as we move to mid summer.  Want to get away from the crowds at the most popular spots on the upper river?   What we know as Henry’s Lake Outlet is really the Henry’s Fork, and as long as a good flow comes out of the lake, good-sized fish will remain there and make it worth the time spent trying for them. The flow out of Henry’s Lake is still over 100 cfs, but is sure to drop as summer progresses meaning the larger fish will eventually move downstream.  With the flow at the current level the Flat Ranch part of the Outlet, owned by the Nature Conservancy, is an attractive place to fish. It has a character different from downstream reaches, being a medium-sized meadow stream.  It hosts a good mayfly and caddisfly population. Terrestrial insects are important here, and because most of the larger fish originated in the lake, such as damselfly nymph and small leech patterns work very well.  Consider trying this part of the river particularly were willows provide overhead cover.  Stop at the Conservancy’s Visitor Center  just off Highway 20 to check in and observe fishing regulations. Who knows a cutthroat or cut-bow hybrid of the year could be waiting for you.

Henry’s Fork 7-14-12

Brown drakes are winding down on the upper river, but PMDs and afternoon flavs and later caddis make for good fishing during cloudy days like today.   Start thinking terrestrials. For now that is ant, beetle, and cricket patterns.  Soon it will time to break out hopper patterns, but have you ever tried presenting a hair mouse at dusk….. ?

Henry’s Fork 7-10-12

The upper river offers the best fishing now, with flavs appearing in the PM, AM PMD spinner falls, evening caddis hatches and a growing terrestrial insect population. All this is taking place on the Last Chance-Harriman reach. Box Canyon offers good nymph fishing with you favorite bead head nymphs in medium sizes and with rubber leg patterns. The big event on the river this week on July 12th is the Caldera Symposium which combines science and fly-fishing.  This event takes place 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at Pond’s Lodge. Go to the Henry’s Fork Foundation web site to see details on this event which promises to increase your knowledge on how to approach Henry’s Fork fly fishing and appreciation for its fishery.

Henry’s Fork 7-7-12

The lower river has entered the usual summer doldrums. So go to the upper river for best fishing. Box Canyon offers good nymph fishing with you favorite small bead head patterns or medium sized rubber legs. On the Harriman-Last Chance reach the brown drakes are winding down, so spinners and caddis bring best evening action.  PMDs bring mid day action with emerger patterns producing best. Later in the afternoon flavs emerge and bring action.

Henry’s Fork 7-3-12

With green drakes passing their peak, start looking for flavs.  Brown drakes are making for great evening fishing, especially on the lower part of the Harriman reach.  Evening caddis and AM PMD spinner falls are going on everywhere on the river.

Henry’s Fork 6-30-12

Following is a note from the Henry’s Fork Foundation concerning  the ongoing reconstruction work at Ashton Dam. In the meantime fishing conditions and fishing success should remain good.

Hi all,

At the Ashton Dam reconstruction project, they are having problems with the rubber seal over the upstream coffer dam coming loose, resulting in some additional sediment moving downstream.  To fix this problem, they need to send divers down to re-anchor the rubber blanket.  Since this work is being done next to the dam bypass tunnel, they will need to partially close the tunnel while they do the work.  However, as this is peak irrigation season,  they have to balance this work with downstream irrigation needs.  The result will be some major fluctuations in Henry’s Fork flows below Ashton Dam throughout the day.  Flows could fluctuate from 1200 cfs up to 3000 cfs, and this fluctuation may happen four times that day.  Idaho Fish and Game will be monitoring things that day.

Bottom line, Monday July 9^th will be a day you don’t want to be fishing below Ashton Dam.

Kim Ragotzkie

Stewardship Director, Henry’s Fork Foundation

& Hold the Line Project Coordinator, High Country RC&D

208-652-3567 office

208-569-9775 cell