It sure has been nice around these parts. We’re in the middle of an indian summer as of this writing, and hopefully it is not the last of the good-good weather. With old man winter’s arrival now imminent, fishermen are scurrying to get in some of the last fair weather angling of the season. For anglers with a little thicker skin, October and November can prove to be the most exciting time of the year. Fall baetis and midge hatches keep the dry fly fisherman happy, while aggressive browns offer the streamer fishing aficionados plenty of opportunities. The lakes really turn on as the trout put on the feed bags for the long cold season ahead and the nymph fishing option stays as strong as ever. The fly fishing word is below. BOX CANYON: 180cfs. Man that’s low. Not ideal levels for a float, but can still be fun in a raft or pontoon boat. With the lack of water flowing through the box, solitude and good fishing are easy to find. Local nymph fishing specialist, Kevin D. has reported exceptional subsurface fishing on rubberlegs with a small bead head dropper under a thingamobobber. Look for trout to be concentrated in deeper runs and pockets. The streamer bite is really turning on, so don’t forget the cable and meat.
THE RANCH: Those tasty little mahoganies keep hatching on an almost daily basis, keeping those ranch rainbows looking up. Mix those in along side prolific baetis hatches, and the fly angler can stay busy through most of the day. The terrestrial option continues to provide plenty of hook-ups and strong daily spinner falls are keeping the trout well fed and the trout fisherman happy.
WARM RIVER ASHTON: A beautiful float this time of year that offers fine fishing day in and day out. The hooper dropper approach has been producing exceptionally well and going deep with stonefly nymphs and small bead heads never disappoints. Daily BWO hatches offer good dry fly fishing and the streamer bite is really turning on. The big browns are migrating toward their spawning grounds and will readily chase, and eat, big articulated streamer patterns. Use caution around these big browns, they won’t hesitate to gnash about with those big gnarly teeth. LOWER RIVER: This fall favorite section of the Henry’s Fork has really turned back on. Big trout are concentrated in deeper water and willing to eat a wide array of offerings. Present stonefly nymph trailed by smaller baetis and midge life cycle patterns for best results or keep your eyes peeled for pods of good fish rising to BWO emergers and duns. Pack along the streamer box too, those big bows and browns down there love the big meal. On warm sunny days, the trout will still respond well to hopper patterns fished tight to the bank and around structure.
HENRY’S LAKE: The lake has been hot, then cold, this past week. Their are plenty of fish in shallow water and they are eating a mixed bag of buggers, leeches, still water nymphs and chironomid patterns. Lake anglers are reporting some larger than average trout being taken on big articulated streamer patterns as well, so take a few of those along for the ride.
Stop by the TroutHunter fly shop for up to date reports on conditions, hatches and location options. It’s also a that time of year to take advantage of some killer late season discounts on gear, clothing and tackle. See you soon.
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