Henry's Fork River
Upper
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Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- Salmonfly
- Parachute BWO
- Parachute March Brown
- Leech
- BWO
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Recent Guide Reports
May 18
Jimmy's All Seasons Angler
Big Time Trout Food
The stone fly hatch on the lower river is beginning right on time. From Ashton Dam down to the Chester Dam nymphs are crawling onto banks. It will take some warm weather to advance the hatch in numbers, molting to adults, and to fly over the river. So until warm weather arrives, big nymph patterns simulating these insects will be among the most effective to use as resident trout key on such patterns. During this week the hatch should advance, and we will provide information on best locations to enjoy it into Memorial Day weekend.
By any measure the big stone fly appearance ends the so called shoulder season on the river. From now on high interest applies to the season long advance of insect life which makes fishing the river so famous. We at Fly Fish Food-Jimmys will monitor this advance on the river and provide solid information on it throughout the season.
Water quality continues to be good throughout the watershed. Water temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations are good to excellent and near average for this time of year. Turbidity continues to drop in the Warm River to Ashton reach and is also starting to drop downstream of Fall River. I do not expect abnormally high turbidity anywhere in the watershed for at least a week. Hatch timing is within a day of average at all locations and is likely to stay very near average for the next few days. Cooler weather next week could slow things down a bit then, but I expect average timing for the salmonfly hatch watershed-wide. Salmon fly adults have just started emerging in the spring-fed locations such as Buffalo River and Warm River, indicating just a few more days before they begin to hatch in large numbers in the reach between Ashton Dam and Chester Dam.
The stone fly hatch on the lower river is beginning right on time. From Ashton Dam down to the Chester Dam nymphs are crawling onto banks. It will take some warm weather to advance the hatch in numbers, molting to adults, and to fly over the river. So until warm weather arrives, big nymph patterns simulating these insects will be among the most effective to use as resident trout key on such patterns. During this week the hatch should advance, and we will provide information on best locations to enjoy it into Memorial Day weekend.
By any measure the big stone fly appearance ends the so called shoulder season on the river. From now on high interest applies to the season long advance of insect life which makes fishing the river so famous. We at Fly Fish Food-Jimmys will monitor this advance on the river and provide solid information on it throughout the season.
Water quality continues to be good throughout the watershed. Water temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations are good to excellent and near average for this time of year. Turbidity continues to drop in the Warm River to Ashton reach and is also starting to drop downstream of Fall River. I do not expect abnormally high turbidity anywhere in the watershed for at least a week. Hatch timing is within a day of average at all locations and is likely to stay very near average for the next few days. Cooler weather next week could slow things down a bit then, but I expect average timing for the salmonfly hatch watershed-wide. Salmon fly adults have just started emerging in the spring-fed locations such as Buffalo River and Warm River, indicating just a few more days before they begin to hatch in large numbers in the reach between Ashton Dam and Chester Dam.
May 11
Jimmy's All Seasons Angler
The Henrys Fork continues to offer the most consistent fishing of any area stream. Good caddis, BWO, and midge activities are reasons for great top water fishing not only on the lower river, but on the river above. Here the Last Chance area and above Coffee Pot rapids are good areas to try. For streamer and nymphing enthusiasts, Box Canyon is worth a try using streamers and fly rod jigs.
Here is some encouraging water quality information from Dr. Rob Van Kirks Henrys Fork drainage SWE report filed yesterday.
As good as water quality was on Wednesday, it was even better yesterday. Water temperatures warmed just a hair, putting them within the optimal range for development of rainbow trout eggs and fry in all river reaches. Increased sunlight yesterday resulted in higher photosynthesis than we have seen in a week, increasing dissolved oxygen watershed-wide. Turbidity continued to drop yesterday, although that trend will be reversed today as snow begins to melt. I expect the highest increases in turbidity to occur downstream of Robinson Creek and Fall River, which are the two tributaries that will respond the most to mid-elevation snowmelt over the next week. Hatch timing is a day behind average at most locations after slowing down over the past five days. However, I expect aquatic insect development to accelerate a little as temperatures warm, putting it back at average to a day or so ahead of average by the end of next week. That means upcoming springtime hatchesincluding salmonflies and March Brown mayfliesshould be right on time.
Here is some encouraging water quality information from Dr. Rob Van Kirks Henrys Fork drainage SWE report filed yesterday.
As good as water quality was on Wednesday, it was even better yesterday. Water temperatures warmed just a hair, putting them within the optimal range for development of rainbow trout eggs and fry in all river reaches. Increased sunlight yesterday resulted in higher photosynthesis than we have seen in a week, increasing dissolved oxygen watershed-wide. Turbidity continued to drop yesterday, although that trend will be reversed today as snow begins to melt. I expect the highest increases in turbidity to occur downstream of Robinson Creek and Fall River, which are the two tributaries that will respond the most to mid-elevation snowmelt over the next week. Hatch timing is a day behind average at most locations after slowing down over the past five days. However, I expect aquatic insect development to accelerate a little as temperatures warm, putting it back at average to a day or so ahead of average by the end of next week. That means upcoming springtime hatchesincluding salmonflies and March Brown mayfliesshould be right on time.
May 04
Jimmy's All Seasons Angler
Ice is retreating from the lake. The best time for early season fishing is when and where the ice is not far out from the shoreline. Leech and streamer patterns are good choices for action.
A request to help determine Henrys Lake fish population and physical condition is below.
From Idaho Fish & Game The ice is coming off the lake fast, and with that comes the beginning of our annual gillnet survey.
When: We need help for the next two weeks. Looks like we need two volunteers a day to meet us at the Henrys Lake Hatchery at 8:00 AM each morning. We can provide a truck and carpool up to the lake.
Description: : The gill net operation will consist of picking fish out of the nets, count fish species, and collect any samples the biologist needs. The picking is the time consuming and can be the smelly part.
What to Bring: Please bring waders(if you have them), a rain jacket & pants(works best). The nets are wet, so waterproof clothing, or work clothes is a must and layers to be comfortable in temperatures ranging from 25-70 degrees. Gill net catch rates vary, so working up nets can potentially take several hours and I would suggest packing Snacks, lunch and drinks.
Physical Demands: Weather can vary in Island park . Not a real physically demanding job but there is some bending/stooping/kneeling and hand dexterity to remove fish from nets.
Please click the link to see what days are available. Then email me dates and contact information so I can add you to the schedule.
Gerren B. Steel
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Work: 208-535-8039
Cell: 208-850-7576
A request to help determine Henrys Lake fish population and physical condition is below.
From Idaho Fish & Game The ice is coming off the lake fast, and with that comes the beginning of our annual gillnet survey.
When: We need help for the next two weeks. Looks like we need two volunteers a day to meet us at the Henrys Lake Hatchery at 8:00 AM each morning. We can provide a truck and carpool up to the lake.
Description: : The gill net operation will consist of picking fish out of the nets, count fish species, and collect any samples the biologist needs. The picking is the time consuming and can be the smelly part.
What to Bring: Please bring waders(if you have them), a rain jacket & pants(works best). The nets are wet, so waterproof clothing, or work clothes is a must and layers to be comfortable in temperatures ranging from 25-70 degrees. Gill net catch rates vary, so working up nets can potentially take several hours and I would suggest packing Snacks, lunch and drinks.
Physical Demands: Weather can vary in Island park . Not a real physically demanding job but there is some bending/stooping/kneeling and hand dexterity to remove fish from nets.
Please click the link to see what days are available. Then email me dates and contact information so I can add you to the schedule.
Gerren B. Steel
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
Work: 208-535-8039
Cell: 208-850-7576