Henry’s Fork

Henry’s Fork 8-25-10

Some of the best fishing on the river can be experienced on the Harriman reach where callibaetis and trico mayflies provide action.   Terrestrial patterns including hopper and ant patterns are a must, and the South Fork strategy of trailing your favorite hopper with a cinnamon ant pattern (#14) is sure to produce.   As with many meadow reaches the Harriman section also hosts deer flies and horseflies.  Don’t overlook this presence, and consider that a standard humpy, size 16-12 can imitate these pests.  After you swat  those pests, drop ’em in the river, then listen for a downstream rise. That is proof fish will take them!

If you fish from Riverside to Warm River use those terrestrial and caddis patterns, but also include traditional attractors.   Below the Warm River confluence fishing gets tough as the water now at base level has warmed going through the canyons.   Best strategy for the lower river is to wait for the cooler days coming soon. Then look for a great revival of fish activity.

Henry’s Fork 8-21-10

This is the slow time of season on the lower river, but that does not mean you cannot get into the fish of the season when you pitch streamer patterns at twilight. Be sure to have light colored and dark colored streamers, fish parts of the stream on the sunset side of the river, and have a stout (1X) tippet.  So much of successful streamer fishing is being able to recognize where the big trout hold.  Next comes being on the water when there is ample overhead cover.  After that pattern choice is a somewhat distant third.

Henry’s Fork 8-16-10

Slow on the lower river, but fair in the Island Park reaches.  For the upper river terrestrial patterns are your best bet for action on such as the Riverside to Hatchery Ford reach, Bear Gulch to Warm River and Harriman-Last Chance.  If you fish the lower river, late and early in the day are best times.  Rusty spinner, caddis, terrestrial patterns and streamer patterns will work during these times.

Henry’s Fork 8-07-10

Fishing on the lower river is slowing , as is usual this time of year.  Bead head nymphs used early and hopper patterns used late are possibilities.   Along the upper river evenings are best with caddis life cycle and rusty spinner patterns providing action.  Terrestrial patterns will be your best bet for day times, but  will also work evenings.

Henry’s Fork 7-31-10

As is usual, fishing on the the lower river is slowing down. Mayfly emergences are winding down, big stoneflies are all but gone, and the river lowering to base levels. Grasshoppers will be coming on soon, and fish will respond to their patterns early and later in the day when waters are a bit cooler and there is more overhead cover.  One constant is that streamer patterns presented in the evening twilight can still fool that big fish.  Just be patient, and use some strategy.  Fish shaded banks and undercuts, fish around overhangs and sweepers.  Look for schools of minnows in shallow water.

Henry’s Fork 7-22-10

True to form this time of year, fishing on the lower river is slowing. Best approach is with nymphs and streamers.  With hoppers coming on, and the always present ants and beetles some good surface action can be found fro time to time here. On the upper river PMDs are decreasing in size and their spinner falls offer some action.  So do terrestrial patterns and soon hoppers will be in the mix to bring fish to the surface.

Henry’s Fork 7/13

Picking your water and what time you fish is very important to catching fish on the Henry’s Fork right now. The Box Cayon is nymphing really good. There are Caddis and Golden Stones on top as well. The Ranch is fishing very good in the mornings and evenings with Pale Morning Duns and Caddis. Warm River to Ashton the fish are eating stimulators, chernobyl ants, nymphs, PMD’s and Caddis. The fishing below Ashton Dam has slowed down quite a bit, and your best fishing in the evening hours. There is a good Spinner Fall of Pale Morning Duns, and there have been good Caddis hatches in the late afternoon. Expect things to be somewhat slow on the lower Henry’s Fork until we get some weather or the Hoppers start flying.

Henry’s Fork 7/5

Fishing on the Henry’s Fork continues to be the better dry fly fishing in our area. Good numbers of Green Drakes and Grey Drakes have been hatching on the river. Pale Morning Duns and Caddis have also been hatching in good numbers. Don’t forget about the Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and the Flavs. This is a great time to be fishing the Henry’s Fork Right now.

Henry’s Fork 7-03-10

Gray drakes are emerging evenings on the lower river. So far there does not seem to be the huge numbers like last year’s event.  But there are enough of drakes to make a visit close to the Chester backwaters worthwhile.  Look for flavs to begin emerging and attracting fish soon on the Harriman reach.    Right now evening brown drake hatches are on going.  The river at and just above the Wood Road 16 access is a prime location.   With all the excitement over the progression of mayfly emergences here, most folks overlook that ant and beetle patterns can be effective just about any time.   Enough said!

Henry’s Fork 6/29

Wow! Fishing on the Henry’s Fork is soooooo goooood! This is the place to be if you love to fish dry flies. Every bug is out and fish are feeding! Golden Stones, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis, Green and Grey Drakes. The mayflies are hatching in the mid day and the Grey Drakes are hatching on the lower river in the evenings. The on down fall to great fishing is crowds. Everyone be nice to each other and remember its just fishing, common sense goes a long way, but so does saying “Hey I’m sorry.” For an up to the minute report call the shop and we can get you lined out.