Blog

The end of one of the driest summers in memory found IP Reservoir at a perilously low level. Prospects for adequate winter flow on the ‘Fork looked grim until nature responded in early October. A series of heavy storms began to pile snow into the high country at a mid winter rate, and the flow from the dam was increased to nearly 200CFS by the end of December. February mirrored conditions of a month earlier with heavy snow and cold temperatures that increased and maintained the snow pack at well above average level. Although comparatively moderate, the flow did increase during that period as well. Entering April, the snow pack continues to build, and the reservoir stands at 75% of capacity without benefit of spring run off which is yet to come.

There is a downside to a seven month winter but all inconvenience is temporary. The Henry’s Fork has dodged a monumental bullet that could have devastated the fishery were the winter to have been made more friendly to human comfort. Water levels through 2008 are certain to be far better than predicted at the end of last season. Expectations for excellent fishing are not ill founded as the river begins to stir and the trout become active. Heavy rainbow spawning activity gives evidence to a healthy population both now and into the future.

Rene Harrop

We are more than 80% into our 2008 snow season and snowpacks are still looking very good. The latest figures for the Henry's Fork drainage puts us at 111% of average for our snowpack and 106% of average for water content. Over in Montana the most recent reports show the Madison River drainage at 112% of average snowpack and 107% of average for water content. In Yellowstone National Park snow sites are showing anywhere from 110-135% of average snowpacks. These reports are down slightly from a month ago but they still represent better than average snowpacks and this is a very good thing for everyone concerned. With these kind of reports this late in the snow season I feel confident we should have good to excellent water conditions throughout the coming fishing season.

The river is open to fishing from Riverside Campground downstream to the confluence with the South Fork, with the exception of the Ashton Dam to Vernon Bridge section which remains closed until the general season opener the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Access to the river is pretty much non-existent from Riverside Campground down to the Warm River unless you are a serious snowshoer. With all of the snow we have been getting this winter access below the Warm River is also a bit more limited than it has been the past six or seven years. Still, for those willing to put in a little effort, there has been some decent fishing to be had around the Stone Bridge area, the Highway 20 bridge, the Vernon Bridge access and at Seeley's. Try red and black tungsten beadhead Krystal and regular Zebra midges, San Juan Worms, and Glo Bugs. Afternoons have been producing some midge activity giving the dry fly fisherman the opportunity to take fish on the surface using a variety of small adult midge imitations.

Let me give you a taste of the chase for some of the biggest brown trout in the world at the end of the earth.

I fall out of bed after six hours of sleep as we had dinner at midnight the night before. The cooler is in the truck and 12-14 foot two handed rods loaded with short-head and skagit spey lines are strapped to the roof. We're off; flying down the dirt track that leads to the Rio Grande. The trip to the river is often taken for granted by some, but for my passengers this morning it's like traveling back in time, where you see nothing but wide open spaces, a few odd looking animals (guanacos), big skies where the clouds seem to drive well over the speed limit, and a mid sized river snaking through the basin.

We reach a pool called "Pursuit" and spirits are high as we yank the two handers off the rack. That was when Don looked at me and said, "I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the wind and the rod as well as you'll want me to. In fact, I was worried I wasn't experienced enough to make this trip." That's when I gave him the Sea Trout theory as we know it: "Don, I'll get you started on the casting. Once you have your fly in good water, let it swing and enjoy yourself. If you swing your fly long enough in good water, you'll feel the pull." We fussed around a bit to get the fly within range of the target, and started taking 3 steps between casts. As I stand behind a caster, I start to wait, watch, and hope. Without hope, a sea trout guide is doomed to anxiety and possible depression! Hearing nothing but the breeze and the sound of the line coming up off the water to form the next D-Loop, I watch the line swing through the pool. "Take your steps. Don't let your feet become cement blocks. We want to cover this water, and then hit another pool." The next cast... mend... swing... line getting tight!...WE'RE ON BABY!! The long rod comes up, and 6 pounds of sea trout comes flying out of the river. After a long battle, we get the fish worked to the bank, take some pictures, and turn him loose. High Fives all around.

"So Jake, that's what it's all about huh?" That's when I told Don "yes", congratulated him on his first sea trout...and pointed to a rock next to which I saw another fish show itself during the last fight. Time to step down 50 yards, and get that little hairwing back in the water. First cast through, the line comes tight...and then slack. "That was him!! Step back, count to 30, and put it in there again." Line comes up, around, and out. My heart is pounding, and I could see Don's rod tip shaking slightly in anticipation. After what seems like more than the few seconds it was, the line straightens out, and the water explodes. Fish on! As I watched over 12 pounds of brown trout break the surface, I remembered exactly why I was there for the fourth consecutive season. The look on Don's face was worth every minute spent away from home and the woman I will marry this Summer.

All it takes is one fish like this to make the trip of a lifetime. The great thing is, there's usually more than one waiting to take that fly and put you on top of the world...or should I say, the end of the earth.

-Jake Chutz