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Rich and I walked from his house at about 6am for a morning of chasing elk. We headed in to the woods behind his house with the intent of using the power line as aquite route from which we had hoped to hear a bugle or two. The morning was generally uneventful other than the sight of a number of wolf tracks and a lone grouse that had managed to escape our efforts to make a meal out of it. It was about 8:30 when Rich and I sat down to have a shot of coffee on a nearby log. After the quiet morning we decided the elk hunt was over and to head home and get on with the day.We began heading north cross country in an effort to find elk on our way back to Rich's house.

We were about 10 yards apart on a small game/cattle trail when we heard what I had thought to be elk crashing out of some heavy timber to the west. In an effort to see what was going on I took a few steps in the direction of the commotion putting a small stand of aspen between Rich and myself. Almost immediately, I heard Rich yell “BEAR!”  By the time I was able to get out my pepper spray, Rich and a very large dark bear with a buff face came flying into view. The bear was 3/4's erect and Rich had managed to stick up his right arm to protect his face. The bear clamped down on it and threw Rich to the ground, completely breaking his right arm below the elbow.  It looked like a hit from an NFL Linebacker. Rich thrust his left arm and recurve bow towards the bear's face in an attempt to free himself.  The bear chomped that hand splintering the arrows in the bow quiver in the process. I ran to the collision just in time to fire off a cloud of pepper spray at the bear's huge ass and watch it tear off into the woods. If the entire encounter was more than 15 second I would be shocked.

Rich was able to stand up and assess his injuries - a broken right arm and severely mangled left hand. Unsure if the bear intended to return, we immediately evacuated the scene in the direction opposite the fleeing bear, making our way in the direction of the power line road. About 200 yards away, we felt we were a safe enough distance to make a call to 911 informing them Rich had been injured in a bear encounter, and we were headed to the power line. The next call was to Jodi Vincent, assistant manager at Harriman State Park. Luckily I was able to convince her this was not one of my prank calls and she rounded up the park response kit and Ranger Bob Hyrnick, an EMT, and began heading to the power line.

When we reached to power line, we again assessed Rich's condition. His right arm was defnitely broken but not bleeding, and his left hand was mangled and bloody. The bear had bitten the hand as Rich attempted to separate himself from the bear. While everything looked horrible there did not appear to be any extreme bleeding. Rich had good color and amazing composure. He felt the best option would be to walk out to proper medical attention and safety. 911 was called and instructed to meet at the Rich's house, the Harriman team would continue up the power line as back-up.

At about 9 am, I saw a huge cloud of dust coming up the power line and a HSP vehicle came in to view. Jodi and I removed Rich's pack allowing Bob to get a better look at the situation Rich was in. He and Jodi stabilized the arm and bandaged his hand, and we were in the vehicle heading north. TroutHunter Guide Jake Chutz called for an update on Rich's condition, and told us there should be a gate a little further north
that would get us back into Last Chance.

When we got to the gate it was pad locked. It was quickly determined we were locked out at which point Jodi insisted we would plow through the gate. Rich protested it might damage the vehicle, but Jodi would not budge. She slammed the vehicle into the gate. The gate stretched sending a dancer pole crashing through the window. “I told you so,” was Rich's response to the broken windshield indicating he was still himself and likely to be OK. The second attempt through the gate was successful and we were at the Paini house and waiting ambulance in a few minutes.

Rich stepped out of the vehicle and into the care of Fremont County Ambulance and Brenda Dye. Joined by Millie, they headed to Ashton and a LifeFlight helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

I returned to the scene with the WHART(Wildlife Human Attack Response Team) - Carnivore Wildlife Biologist Bryan Aber, Regional Conservation Of?cer Doug Peterson, and District Conservation Of?cer Josh Coontz loaded for bear. Quickly after we had arrived, Bryan discovered a day bed approximately 88 feet from the location of attack. It was determined Rich and I had walked in on a sleeping bear. Closer inspection discovered bear hair, which was bagged along with some fresh scat. Apparently we had literally scared the shit out of him. A few yards away, Bryan found a piece of glove and the bone which was missing from Rich's left ring finger.

Wanting to delve deeper in the the bear's choice of location, Doug had us spread out a bit and recon the area. The day bed smelled of kill and the scat indicated fresh meat had been recently consumed by the bear, so it was assumed a carcass of some sort would be in the general vicinity. .26 miles away down a bear scat strewn path, the WHARTs suspicions were confirmed. The carcass of a beef cow was strewn about, heavily feasted upon by a number of different animals.

Evidence gathered at the scene was indeterminate about the species of bear, that would be a job for the folks down at the lab.

Thanks to all who assisted in Rich's recovery. He's now at home with Millie and Ella expecting a full recovery, less one ring finger.

- Jon Stiehl - TroutHunter

Henry’s Fork Angling Report for September 1st, 2011

Box Canyon: Current flows out of Island Park dam are at 832 cfs. The Box Canyon isn’t fishing as well as it did a month ago, but still continues to provide decent fishing day in and day out. Nymphing is pretty much the name of the game in the Box right now. Rig two fly combos with a larger Stonefly Nymph and trail it with a small Zebra Midge or Copper John. Caddis Pupa nymphs and the trusted Prince Nymph will take fish as well and if you really want to get down and dirty, tie on a bright red San Juan Worm and bounce it along the bottom. Get those flies deep and present  them with a drag free drift for best results. In the lower canyon, whip out those terrestrials and pound the banks to entice opportunistic feeders.

The streamer fishing both early and late in the day, as well as on cloudier days continues to take those larger Box Canyon Rainbows. The water is super clear and nothing gets the blood pumping like a fat Box Canyon Rainbow charging a large Streamer pattern, the takes are fierce and the fights are epical. We should start to see Mahoganies in the lower canyon soon, stay tuned for more on these tasty little trout snacks.
 

Last Chance/Railroad Ranch/Wood Road 16: September is just a wonderful time to fish the famed Railroad Ranch stretch of the Henry’s Fork. The crowds thin a bit, the fish are fat, and the scenery is second to none.  Only few things are better than hooking plump Rainbows that steel line from your reel at lightning speed, while Bull Elk bugle deep in the pines. We’re seeing good emergences of Callibaetis early in the day along with Tricos and PMD’s. Have a good selection of Emergers, Duns and Spinners to fish these awesome hatches. Hopper, Ants and Beetles continue to turn fish throughout the day and if you find yourself lucky, you might end up smack dab in the middle of a prolific Honey Ant fall, have HOH Honey Ant patterns in 12, 14 and 16 to best represent the Ants and remember, nothing fishes better on the Ranch than a stealthy approach and a drag free drift, so be sure to show up equipped with both.

Warm River to Ashton: This section of the Henry’s Fork continues to fish well. Nymphing rubberlegs with a smaller beadhead nymph is always a safe bet & the streamer fishing continues to produce some really nice big fish when the skies turn gray. Evening caddis hatches continue and always offer some good fast fishing just before dark.  As we move from summer into fall the big Browns that reside in this stretch will become more aggressive.

Ashton Dam to Chester Backwater: Here’s a little information concerning the work on Ashton Dam & how it will affect the flows and the fishing:

“Here’s the latest on the Ashton Dam project:    Work was completed this morning on the tunnel tap – most of the remaining rock wall between the tunnel and reservoir was removed.  At about 2PM today, the turbines were taken off-line, and the river is almost all passing through the bypass tunnel.  When they first fully opened the bypass tunnel, there was one big sediment spike, but by now, it has already cleared up significantly.  Outflows are now exceeding reservoir inflow, and will increase by no more than 200 cfs per day.  The 17-foot drawdown is expected to be complete by next Wednesday, Sept. 7th.   Construction of the coffer dam in front of the existing dam has started.   At this time, there is

very little water coming over the spillway, by tomorrow there probably won’t be any. The coming week may continue to have brief spikes of turbidity and increased flows below the dam.  However, if sediment mobilizes in the reservoir, outflows will be reduced to control sediment.  Probably a good week to fish somewhere else.”

 As stated above, you might want to give the Lower River a rest until this work is completed. Stay tuned for updates on this awesome fishery.

Chester to St. Anthony: Flows below Chester are currently 3090cfs. The story down below Chester pretty much mirrors the Ashton down stretch listed above, probably a good week to fish elsewhere.

Henry’s Lake: The Lake is literally fishing off the hook. The fish are stacked liked cordwood around the springs and creek mouths. I mean really, it’s pure gluttony out there. “NOW” is the time to be here! The opportunity to rope a 10lb Trout on the fly is real & being realized by anglers daily. Callibaetis nymphs, Chironomids, Leeches and a wide array of Streamers are getting it done. The trout are even rising to dry flies and a small PT under a caddis pattern or attractor is a killer way to hook these obese fish. Early and late in the day is the perfect time to strip a mouse pattern across the surface for explosive action. Right now’s the time to connect with the Brookie, Cutthroat or Hybrid of a lifetime>


Hebgen: Gulpers are still on and the fish are gulpering daily! The Callibaetis hatches continue and the Spinner fishing is stellar early in the day until the wind picks up. Rusty Spinners, Organza Spinners and Para-Spinners in sizes 14-16 are taking fish regularly. If a guy really wanted to mix it up, he could team up a Spinner pattern with a small Black Ant to increase those hook-up odds. After the Callibaetis fun, whip out those Hoppers and Ants and fish the wind protected coves and bays “flats” style. Stalk bank cruisers and get a good a good soft presentation in front of them….then hold on because these Hebgen fish are fat, healthy and ready to give anglers a run for their money. In the evening, come equipped with Trico Spinners and Caddis patterns. If the conditions are right, the evening fishing can be truly magical.

Madison River below Hebgen Dam: Releases from Hebgen dam are currently at .1,010cfs. It’s Terrestrial time on the Madison. Hoppers, Ants and Beetles presented along the bank are turning fish and the Streamer fishing early and late can be awesome! Hopper-Dropper rigs are always a safe bet as well. A $3 Dip under a Hopper is a deadly combo.

River Buddies makes the Island Park news!

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