“When you are on the river, ocean or in the woods, you are the closest to the truth you’ll ever get” – Jack Leonard
This continuation of rather pleasant weather has kept the fishing opportunities solid here on the Henry’s Fork. The snow is all but gone and access to your favorite stretches of river are open and ready for your indulgence. Midges and baetis continue as the preferred daily dry fly option, but caddis and March Browns are coming on strong, particularly on the lower sections of the river. Sub surface fishing with stone fly imitations and a multitude of bead head trailers are producing quality trout. There are a few skwalas still crawling around, making the dry dropper game a viable and entertaining option as well. Spring time is streamer time, so string up some meat and pull it around for a shot at a predatory beast. Late April is one of the finest times to fish the Henry’s Fork and if you’re looking for a little solitude with your fishing, you can find it here. The trout wintered well and are in great shape! Here’s what’s happening out in Henry’s Forkville.
BOX CANYON: The flows from Island Park reservoir (which btw, is ice free) have jumped from 330 to 520cfs over the past week, making the Box an ever more viable float fishing option. Trout rising to dries on the upper and lower end of the canyon can be taken on a well presented midge or baetis pattern. Down through the middle of the canyon, present weighted stone fly nymphs and small bead head droppers to keep that rod bent. Streamers and leeches are always a safe bet this time of year. Present them deep, with a slow and natural retrieve. It’s also a great time of year to employ a dry-dropper approach and it’s always exciting when a big hog rainbow comes up and slams the big dry.
LAST CHANCE: This welcome increase in flows has helped to spread the trout out a bit and also begin to define those signature Last Chance flats. Good daily midge hatches are keeping anglers busy from mid-morning through evening. We’re seeing strong baetis movement on cooler, cloudier, wet days, but presenting a well-dressed BWO pattern to any rising fish will often bring favorable results. Early to mid-afternoon is the best time to catch the blue wing thing. A few caddis are showing and the March Browns will arrive any day now, so be sure to have a selection of these two bugs in your box. If you’re a dry fly junkie, this is the place to be over the next few weeks.
WARM RIVER TO ASHTON: This section is another great springtime float option. Standard double nymph rigs will get fish all day and the big stone nymphs have already begun their yearly migration toward the river’s edge. The dry fly fishing has been on fire here, with midge, baetis, March Brown and that good ‘ol mother’s day caddis. Yes, a dry dropper rig is extremely effective right now. The big browns in this sector get bored eating dry flies all day and can be easily enticed with a big gnarly articulated streamer pattern.
LOWER RIVER: Flows are currently running 1540cfs. The dry fly fishing on the lower river has been outstanding this past week. March Brown mayflies and the Mother’s Day caddis are the prime hatches, but there are still some baetis and skwala opportunities to be had. A rubber leg nymph with a #14 pheasant tail dropper will surely hook some hefty trout and pulling a big streamer around just might get you into that fish of a lifetime.
AREA LAKES: Island Park, Quake and Hebgen are all ice free. The next few weeks will offer anglers some great ice off fishing opportunities on any of these great still waters. Henry’s Lake is iced off too, but you’ll have to wait until Saturday May 25th to wet a line there.
The fly shop is currently receiving inventory for the 2015 season. Stop in to check out all the hot new tackle, flies and gear. Or, give us a call to get up-to-date conditions and friendly honest advice. The Bar & Grill is slated to re-open on May 14th. We’ll see ya soon!
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