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A Big Winter by Rene' Harrop. April 2011.

With nearly sixty six years under my belt, I have learned to recognize the value of a winter that arrives early and stays late. With human misery not withstanding, a six month season that builds snow to amazing depth in the high country is a gift to those who prize fishing the Henry's Fork above nearly anything else in life.

Residents who do not evacuate the area with the first hint of frost understand that snow in great abundance is not a villian, and its benefits far exceed the inconvenience of spending half a year in a world of white.

With a snow pack that began to accummulate last October, water experts report precipitation levels at 120% of average in the Henry's Fork drainage as of April 1, and it is still growing. This level is the highest in fourteen years, and it comes on the heels of three consecutive years of adequate winter precipitation. And despite flows averaging from 350-400 cfs for most of the winter, Island Park Reservoir stands at 75% of capacity. It should also be noted that sub-zero temperatures did not appear to have caused the kind of severe icing that has impacted the fishery in some years during the past decade.

With winter flows and temperatures as key factors in determining trout survival, it is logical to assume that the recent upturn in the quality of fishing on the Henry's Fork will continue through the 2011 season. This may also be the year when recruitment from the reconnection to the Buffalo River becomes noticeable in the main stem of the river. Idaho Fish and Game surveys in late May should help to clarify how this Henry's Fork Foundation coordinated project factors into the trout population of the Caldera section of the Henry's Fork.

Also anticipated in the coming months are preliminary results of an HFF study that would determine the feasability of reconnecting Silver Lake in Harriman State Park with the Henry's Fork.

With higher flows during spring runoff a certainty, we are looking forward to conditions that concentrate big browns and rainbows along the edges of the lower river during the Salmon Fly hatch in late May and early June. Locals also work on the assumption that higher spring flows in this area bring heavier hatches of Gray Drakes, and they prepare accordingly.

In low water years, trout are not well dispersed in Harriman State Park until aquatic vegetation begins to mature in early summer. Hatches of Brown and Green Drakes also seem to be especially affected when winter and spring flows are less than ideal. In 2011, the June 15 opening of the Ranch should benefit from an abundance of water that is favorable to both trout and angler as another season gets underway.

While any prediction is largely a matter of guess work, it is impossible to not recall 1997 which is the last time we have seen such generous precipitation in the Henry's Fork Basin. And while reluctant to forecast a similar result with respect to a momentous spike in trout population and an amzing five year span of fishing that followed the winter of 1997, it will be interesting to see if such history is repeated in 2011.

Though most signs are positive looking forward, there is one item affecting the future of the Henry's Fork that is not being celebrated as good news. After nine years of serving as Executive Director, Steve Trafton is leaving the Henry's Fork Foundation to accept a position with Trout Unlimited in Washington D.C.

The list of Steve's accomplishments on behalf of the river is far too long to list at this time, and his leadership will be sorely missed. I wish him well in his new position and offer my personal thanks for all he has done to protect the values we hold dear. He will be hard to replace. 

Revival - Chapter II

The mood of the Henry’s Fork community in May of 2010 was one of cautious expectation and optimism. With a new season directly ahead all visible signs were positive with regard to the health of the fishery.
2009 had ended on an amazingly favorable note with hatches and the resultant fishing opportunity being unanimously declared as being the best in more than a decade by locals and visitors alike. With Island Park reservoir at nearly 60% of capacity in early November, hopes for a repeat of the favorable winter flows of the previous year were realized as December arrived and releases from the dam reached 400 cfs.
For several decades, scientists had become convinced that adequate winter flows were the most critical factor in juvenile trout survival on the Henry’s Fork. With cooperation secured from irrigation interests by the Henry’s Fork Foundation, winter flows from earlier in the decade which were far short of optimal were gradually improved as more normal weather patterns began to replace several years of severe draught.

The revival of the Henry’s Fork fishery in 2009 was the result of three consecutive years of off season flows which allowed increased numbers of young rainbows to endure the harsh Island Park winter. The consistent release of 350-400 cfs this past winter were the best we had seen since 1997, and anticipation of another successful year ran high among Henry’s Fork outfitters and guides. But as spring drew near, it became apparent that diminished snow fall from early January through most of March had left the mountain snowpack at an alarmingly low level.

Despite general optimism for the immediate season, a cloud of gloom crept over the fishing community as concern for future winter flows began to mount. A continuation of dry weather extending through summer would assure severe draw down of the reservoir and the subsequent end of a positive trend in fish saving flows in the critical months that would follow.

In most years, a six to eight week period of near constant rain and below average temperatures would sour the disposition of any angler especially when it occurs at the beginning of a long awaited spring. But to we who depend upon the Henry’s Fork fishery for our existence, the soaking rains and snow preserving temperatures were a source of tremendous relief. By late May, the snowpack had reached normal levels and the farmlands of the lower valley were thoroughly saturated. And while two more weeks of unusually cool and wet weather provided extra insurance pertaining to water supply, it came at a price.

Losing nearly the entire Salmon Fly hatch in late May and early June was costly to Island Park businesses that rely on visiting anglers to stay afloat.A restless lot by nature, the river guides became especially grumpy as foul weather kept them confined indoors as the opening of the Ranch drew near. But as the skies cleared and temperatures reached more seasonable levels, it was as though a flood gate of bounteous hatches and rising trout had been released.

Almost overnight, fishing on the entire river from Island ParkDamtoSt.Anthony sprung to life with water conditions that were ideal and weather ideally suited for wading or floating the Henry’s Fork. While somewhatdelayed the Gray, Green, and Brown Drakes produced consistent fishing for large trout from mid June through early July. Golden Stones followed on the heels of the big mayflies and hatched simultaneously with theFlavs until the second week in August.
Numerous caddis hatches joined March Browns, PMDs, Callibaetis and Tricos to provide the kind of consistency that can only happen on a truly healthy river. 

Hopper fishing from mid August through an unusually pleasantSeptember was even better than 2009 which everyone agreed as exceptional.

The warm weather of mid summer through early autumn was especiallyfavorable for the smallerterrestrials. Winged Ants in size 14-20 were a daily feature for more than two months. And despite their relatively small size some of the largest trout of the season were taken on this favored trout food. Beetles run strong competition with ants for the trout’s attention, and they were a daily feature during the period when land based insects dominate on the water.

While October was greeted with summerlike temperatures, a shift to weather more favorable to fall hatches occurred by the end of the first week. Baetis and Mahogany duns are now the main attraction as the end of another season draws near. Walking the open banks brings a feeling of amazement and gratitude as one considers the revival of life so strongly incontrast to what was observed only a few years ago. Trout of all age classes are visible in the clear flows as they feed leisurely amid luxurious aquatic vegetation that had been devastated during the draught years.

With Island Park Reservoir approaching 50% of capacity, the prospect forcontinued favorable winter flows looks very good. This bodes extremely well for the fishery downstream of the dam which fisheries professionals estimate increased by 40% in 2010. And while a similar increase can not be assured, it is reasonably safe to assume that the positive trend of the past three years will continue into 2011. The future of the Henry’s Fork looks very bright.

Most of those whom only a few days ago, were celebrating the bounty of the Henry’s Fork are now off chasing Golden Stones and Salmon Flies on the Madison or Yellowstone. And while fishing here has resumed its normal demanding ways, it is still a fine time to be on the river. Hunting big trout along the open banks is now less likely to be disturbed by human competition, and the quiet is undoubtedly enjoyed equally by both angler and trout. Maybe I don’t miss the Drakes so much after all.