Fall is undoubtedly in the air here in Henry’s Fork country. This past week has been a little soggy, but the wet weather has really accelerated the BWO hatches. Prolific daily hatches are coating the rivers surface with these little olive morsels and the trout are definitely taking notice. There’s still a few mahoganies hanging around as well, which only adds to the angling opportunities up here on the ‘ol Fork. The last remaining warm sunny days of the season will offer the trout a menu of terrestrial insects, so don’t count those out just yet. The cooler weather will get the browns all worked up for their yearly spawn, which will get all us streamer fisherman excited. Here’s what’s happenin’ up here on our little chunk of Idaho real estate.
BOX CANYON: The Box is currently running at 320cfs, but is slated to drop to the super skinny level of 180cfs on Oct. 1st. Floating in hard side boats will be a futile endeavor, but rafts and pontoon’s are still an option. These flows will really concentrate the trout into deeper runs and slots. Feed the fish small rubber leg nymphs trailed by even smaller bead head droppers. With the cold season approaching, the big rainbows will become increasingly more aggressive toward streamer patterns. Strip & rip big streamers dressed up as adolescent rainbow and sculpins. Down on the lower end of the float, through Last Chance, watch for good trout to be sipping in BWO, mahogany and terrestrial offerings.
THE RANCH: Baetis and mahoganies are the name of the game on the hallowed ranch waters. Warm sunny days will still bring the terrestrials out, and they will continue to be an option until we see a few good hard frosts. Midges will become more reliable as we move through fall. These trout have been worked over pretty good this season and demand a stealthy approach and dead accurate presentations with a drag free drift.
LOWER RIVER: The river through cardiac canyon down to Ashton is fishing well with streamers, double nymph rigs or the ‘ol hopper dropper set up. The brown trout through this section are beginning to migrate to their yearly spawning grounds and quite cantankerous. Target these trout with big articulated streamer patterns. The river below Ashton dam is starting to fish well. Same strategy listed above applies here, but add strong baetis and midge hatches to the menu.
HENRY’S LAKE: The lake is really picking up. Focus your efforts around the springs and creek mouths. Offer the trout leech, bugger and chironomid patterns. Bigger streamers are getting a lot of attentions as well and offer the chance for a big heavy H lake hybrid. Stripping a mouse pattern over active fish will entice fierce strikes.
Stop by the TroutHunter fly shop to take advantage of some awesome late season deals on clothing, gear and tackle. We’re open 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. See you soon!
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