Henry’s Fork

Henry’s Fork 4-20-10

Warmer weather has made fishing the river from Warm River to below St. Anthony a great choice.  Remember the closure in effect between the Vernon Bridge and Ashton Dam until general season.   There is plenty of access to enjoy the BWOs especially because  Fall River runoff has not begun.  Weather coming up the next few days should be ideal for BWO emerging in the late PM after winds die.  Streamers will be effective up & down the river, and above the Chester backwaters be sure to have big stonefly nymph patterns. Hard to believe, but these big nymphs will begin to move in numbers in about a month.

Henry’s Fork 4-12

No March Browns to speak of but we expect them anytime soon. Blue Wing Olives and Midges are hatching really well. Nymphing is also producing good fishing when the dry flies are not hatching. Expect the flies to hatch in the afternoons. Fishing has been really good on the Henry’s Fork, this would be my first pick for fishing on a day off.

Henry’s Fork 4-09

Blue Olives have been hatching on the warm days, expect them in the afternoon hours. No word on the March Browns but they should hatching anytime, and I would have some with me just in case. Nymphing is the name of the game for the majority of the day, rubberlegs and beadhead nymphs. Many people are having great success below Chester Dam, down to Del-Rio Bridge. Warm River to Ashton is fishing as well. However I have not heard if the self ice has melted at the Ashton boat ramp yet. A few weeks ago it was about 4 feet high. I would call ahead before you launch your boat.

Henry’s Fork 3/29

Fishing on the Henry’s Fork is really good. Blue Wing Olives, and Midges are hatching in good numbers. Nymphing has been really good throughout the day and fish are rising to dry flies in the afternoon. I would also try fishing a skwalla pattern in the afternoon. Zebra midges, rubberlegs, Pulsating Emergers, Harrop’s BWO Emerger are good flies to fish. If you feel like crossing over to what some call the dark side of fly fishing San Juan worms and glo bugs have been really successful.

Henry’s Fork 3-19

We received a email from the Henry’s Fork Foundation in regards to the flows below Ashton Dam. Here is the email.

Subject: Ashton Reservoir Drawdown

Good Morning,

PacifiCorp has started lowering Ashton Reservoir this morning.  If you’re watching the gage below the dam you’ll likely see two increases in river flow of approximately 100 cfs each this morning.  The reservoir will lowered to a target of approximately 5147, about 5 feet below the current elevation.

This drawdown is being made in preparation for construction of a new low level diversion tunnel later this year.  It is being schedule at this time for the purposes of complying with USFWS consultations relative to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and in cooperation with the adjacent irrigators on the reservoir who would prefer to not see elevation changes during the growing season.

The drawdown rate will conform to consultation language discussed with IDFG, not more than 100 cfs change in one hour, not to exceed more than 200 cfs change in 24 hours.

Mark Stenberg
PacifiCorp Energy
208 547-7305

So what does this mean for the fishing? I would not be to concerned with these flows upsetting the fishing for very long. Expect it to slow down for a day or two. The fishing will resume as usual after that time. Lots of people have found success using Midges, Rubberlegs, and worms. I would expect the San Jaun Worm fishing to be really good with these increased flows.

Henry’s Fork 3-9

Drift boat fishing on the Henry’s Fork is not possible right now because all of the boat ramps are still snowed in. However fishing has been really productive on the Henry’s Fork. Midges are being taken on the surface. Glo Bugs,  San Juan worms, Rubber leg stonefly nymphs and Zebra Midges are producing fish in good numbers. As the warm weather continues it will not be long until Blue Wing Olives and March Browns will be hatching. Good places to walk in and fish is the confluence at Warm River, Vernon Bridge (don’t fish above the bridge…its closed!) Sealy’s, Chester Dam, The Fun Farm, and below St. Anthony.

Henry’s Fork 2-27-10

Warming days will help with access and bring BWOs into big emerging numbers.  Big stonefly nymphs are a good bet above Chester backwaters to Vernon Bridge ( Vernon Bridge to Ashton Dam opens general season) and above Ashton Reservoir to Warm River.   Streamers will work throughout for post spawning bows and hungry browns. The further upstream you go the more likely access will be a problem because of snow and shore ice.

Henry’s Fork 2-18-10

The lower river will become more important to consider as we move into March.   Access will become easier, early season mayflies will begin to appear, streamer patterns will be attractive to post-spawning rainbows,  big stonefly nymphs will always be candidates for excellent fishing, and midge life cycle patterns will work.   Realize the further east (upstream) you venture on the river, the more likely access will be difficult because of shore ice and snow pack. Candidate locations to give the lower ‘Fork a try, you ask?  Consider off Cottonwood Drive  below St. Anthony,   around the Fun Farm Bridge and upstream on the west side road to the Hooray Ranch, below the Vernon Bridge, around Seeley’s.  At Seely’s, Nedrow’s,  and other locations, please respect private property.  Access to the river through properties such as these are privileges granted by generous land owners.  If you see them, consider thanking them and do everything possible to show them you appreciate their generosity.

Henry’s Fork 11-27-09

Closes to fishing above Riverside after Monday, November 30th. Most of the lower river remains open year round, so we will post occaisional reports on how it is fishing.

Henry’s Fork 11-23-09

Midges, Beatis, and Streamers are still producing fish in good numbers. The Box Canyon and Riverside boat ramps have been reopened. Find some time to get out and fish your favorite spot on the Henry’s Fork before it closes at the end of the month. Nymphing is producing fish as well. Rubberlegs and Zebra Midges are working well under an indicator. Good reports of large brown trout being caught on the Vernon Bridge stretch.