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Observing the Henry’s Fork through the winter of 2009/2010 has been vastly different from the previous two years. Comparatively modest snowfall and mild temperatures provided unusual comfort to all river dependent creatures both aquatic and otherwise.

Wintering whitetail deer were not forced to concentrate in the river corridor for forage as in years past, and I have yet to see a single casualty of the cold season. Without severe icing influencing their survival, Trumpeter Swans and other waterfowl were free to access the entire length of the river thereby avoiding crowding and over harvesting of aquatic vegetation. Vulnerable mammals like muskrat also benefit from less severe conditions, and spring numbers of these gentle creatures attest to an easier life during the past winter.

Lower snow levels have permitted the observation of many spawning areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach in typical early spring conditions. Reproductive activity in these key locations is perhaps the best indicator of trout populations separate from actually fishing. Impressive is the best word to describe the numbers and individual size of spawning rainbows observed from early March through the end of April. The volume of predatory activity from Bald Eagle, Osprey, Loons, and river Otter might be troubling to some but it takes a strong fishery to attract and support such intense interest. Therefore, it seems logical to consider these wild consumers as positive indicators of a very healthy population of trout.

Mild weather aided by easier access to the water enabled anglers to get an earlier start on waters open to year round fishing on the ‘Fork. Early March found trout rising consistently to abundant hatches of midges and baetis, and this trend continued for more than six weeks. Clearly evident was a higher percentage of brown trout that were coming to a dry fly which indicates a strengthening of this relatively new resident of the lower Henry’s Fork.

Caddis and March Brown mayflies began to appear almost simultaneously during the third week of April bringing with them a nearly unbearable distraction for the heavily burdened fly tyer only thirty days out from the beginning of the general fishing season. Cool temperatures with weekly precipitation are perfect weather ingredients for heavy hatches and rising trout, and this has been the pattern since late March. Also positive in this trend is a strong contribution in the high country to a weaker than usual snow pack.

Key in the outlook for 2010 is winter flows from Island Park Reservoir that exceed anything we have seen on the Henry’s Fork since the late 1990’s. With flows running from 350 to 400 cfs during the coldest months of December, January, and February, a much higher percentage of young trout will survive than in years when winter flows were considerably lower. Large numbers of small trout now concentrated along the edges of the river confirm a continuing trend of improved winter survival that can be largely attributed to the efforts of the Henry’s Fork Foundation. Working in close cooperation with irrigation officials who control the release of water from the Island Park Reservoir, HFF personnel have succeeded in gaining unprecedented consideration for trout in the management of winter flows on the Henry’s Fork.

Aquatic insects that share environmental needs similar to trout are also benefiting from better wintering conditions. Strong hatches and an abundance of rising trout have persisted through the early season and I see little reason to expect this to change as the season progresses.
Concerns for a lower than average snow pack can be alleviated to a considerable extent by a large carryover in Island Park Reservoir that now approaches 100% of capacity. Cool temperatures and above normal precipitation beginning in late March and continuing through April have delayed spring snow melt and irrigation demand thereby improving the water outlook as well. More rain and perhaps even snow dominate the forecast as April draws to a close, and this is bad news only to golfers.
Winter in the adjoining states of Montana and Wyoming has been similar to what has been experienced in Idaho. Anglers who plan to visit the Yellowstone region should not expect to find rivers swollen by heavy runoff in late May and June as has been the case in the past two years, although this could change with continued cool temperatures and abundant precipitation.

2009 on the Henry’s Fork was the best in recent memory with abundant hatches and trout of impressive size and numbers. Based upon customary indicators, it is reasonable to expect fishing in 2010 to equal or even exceed what most fly fishers experienced last year.

Rene’ Harrop

How infatuated are TroutHunter guides with the Henry’s Fork? Well, if it’s any indication, last August 1st I became no less than the sixth member of the TH family to be married in a streamside ceremony. Rich and Millie Paini, Marty and Kate Reed, Brad and Ann Marie Miller, and Jake and Jen Chutz were also married in various locales on the banks of the Henry’s Fork.

There are so many variables that go into an outdoor wedding that a couple cannot possibly prepare for all of them. So you plan for what you can, and then you hope for everything else to fall into place. Sometimes the things for which you cannot possibly plan make the moment, like a beautiful sunny day, and sometimes it is the uninvited wedding crasher who helps to make the occasion even more memorable. Like golden stoneflies, for example…

If traditional weddings are mostly reserved for churches, perhaps it is fitting that we all chose to be wed on the Henry’s Fork. Without wanting to speak for anyone but myself, I would say it is a safe bet that each of us feels an emotional and spiritual connection to this River and to the entire Greater Yellowstone area. And being fly fishing guides, none of us have ‘traditional’ jobs. Would I go so far as to say fly fishing is our religion?? Probably not, but you get the idea.

I have heard legendary fly tier and fisherman, the late Andre Puyans, describe his passion for the Fork by calling the Henry’s Fork his “church,” I’ve seen Rise and read TroutHunter, in each of which Rene Harrop describes his own spiritual connection to the Henry’s Fork, referring to the River’s running water as blood pumping through the heart.

As Johnny Cash sang, “I followed you, Big River, when you called,” and so did I. I first fished the Henry’s Fork in 1994 at age 18, and I was instantly struck by the overwhelming feeling that this river has an ‘it’ factor that other rivers I’ve fished simply do not. It is difficult fishing. It is rewarding fishing. Since 1994, come hell or high water, I fished the Fork annually, until finally answering the River’s call and moving to Island Park in 2007. I’ve been guiding for TroutHunter and spending at least 100 days on the water each year since. Even still, the River speaks to me, soothes me, challenges me, frustrates me, and satisfies me.

For me, each time I wade into the Henry’s Fork, I get a feeling similar to that which I recently got when I went ‘back east’ and stepped inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The goose-bumps came instantly as sensory overload kicked in and all at once I was hit by the beauty, history, and majesty of where I was. I cannot recall a time while stealthily approaching a rising rainbow on Harriman State Park that those same goose-bumps didn’t make an appearance.

The Henry’s Fork is truly a special place that touches the fly fisher’s soul. Its aesthetic beauty rivals even the most ornate wedding chapel. It was this beauty which first led my wife to agree to be married on the River. She was struck by the lava rock formations, the dense pine forest, the wildflowers, the many birds—ospreys, golden and bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, kingfishers, herons, cranes, the wildlife—moose, elk, deer, otters, beavers, and of course, the fish—those gorgeous football-shaped Box Canyon Rainbows—the first fish my wife ever caught on a fly rod.   -Pat Gaffney