Henry’s Fork

Henry’s Fork 9-28-10

No killing frosts yet, even on the upper river.  So terrestrial insects remain plentiful.   The Riverside-Hatchery Ford area is a great place to try your skill with terrestrial insect patterns.  Flows along the river are below normal.  With respect to mayflies, tricos still emerge during mornings on the upper river.   BWOs emerge almost everywhere on the river, but overcast or stormy days would bring them on in bigger numbers. Some mahogany duns are hatching.  Nymph fishing remains effective in Box Canyon, but look for more responses to streamers everywhere along the river as we advance through October.

Henry’s Fork 9-21-10

Cooling weather is proving to be just what we need.  BWOs, caddisflies and some mahogany duns are providing action on the lower river with evening streamer fishing picking up.  Look for streamer fishing to improve as we advance into fall. On the upper river, terrestrial insects still provide action, with a hopper trailed by a cinnamon ant (#14) being a great way to encounter big trout.  Tricos, tiny BWOs (pseudos), and a few mahogany duns make up the mayfly component this time of year.   Small bead head nymphs continue to provide good fishing in the Box Canyon.

Henry’s Fork 9-10-10

As with other waters cooling weather will  improve fishing on the lower river. Look for great BWO hatches and some mahogany duns emerging. Evening caddisfly activity will continue. This means life cycle patterns for these insects will be increasingly effective.  Terrestrial insects will be available until we have killing frosts.  So do not put those chernobyl, hopper, ant, and beetle patterns away for weeks to come.  Browns will begin migrating towards spawning areas, meaning streamer fishing will pick up.  So the lower river will offer good fishing for many preferences.

Henry’s Fork 9-02-10

Terrestrial patterns provide the best  afternoon action on the upper river.  We have reports that cinnamon ant patterns are producing very well.   Tricos bring action during earlier hours.  Cooling weather helps action, especially on the lower river where action has been slower.  On the lower river pseudo and trico hatches bring action, but  as this month goes on, evening streamer fishing will be improving as browns move toward spawning areas.

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.