News and Fishing Reports

A Henry’s Fork Forecast for 2009 by René Harrop

For more than a decade, members of the scientific community have attributed draught related trout mortality to inadequate water flows. If this assumption is correct, anglers should expect to see considerably improved trout numbers in the Henry’s Fork in 2009.

 

Following the big snow pack of last year, February 2009 finds Island Park reservoir at 85% of capacity. Flows from the reservoir approaching 350 cfs are the highest we have seen since 1997. Juvenile trout are greatly aided by deeper water along the edges during the coldest months, and severe icing is less likely to occur when flows exceed 300 cfs. Logically, hatch producing insects will also benefit from these improved winter conditions.

Combined with a nearly full reservoir, an adequate snow pack will likely produce spring flows that are similar to last year. Higher levels in late May created ideal conditions for the salmon fly hatch, and the resulting fishing for big trout was the best in recent memory.

Higher water levels should also encourage greater dispersal of trout below Box Canyon from Last Chance Run on through Harriman and the Pine Haven stretch.

 

Upstream from St. Anthony, the lower Henry’s Fork has been spared from severe icing that marked last year’s extended winter. Access to the river, including boat launching facilities, should not be delayed beyond mid March which is at least a month earlier than last year. I expect to be fishing Midges and the first Baetis hatches by that time as well.

While there is guess work in any prediction, it is extremely comforting to see the positive signs that have been missing during so many winters of the recent past. Water is the gift of life to our fishery and 2009 appears to be the recipient of this vital necessity.