Stillwaters
There are several exciting Stillwater fisheries within a short drive from our shop. Below are a few of the favorites among our guide staff. We fish all three from a comfortable 15 foot Boston Whaler and sometimes employ drift boats or float tubes.
Island Park Reservoir is situated northwest of Harriman State Park, between Coffee Pot rapids and the Box Canyon. It holds strong populations of Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Hybrid (Rainbow X Cutthroat) Trout, as well as Kokanee Salmon. In addition to the upper Henry's Fork, this shallow, man made body of water is fed by several small streams and springs at the West End. Boaters and float tubers can easily access this area by driving about ten miles west from the Harriman State Park entrance over the Green Canyon Pass. The West End, with its pronounced weed beds, affords anglers excellent fly fishing opportunities. Fish can often be sighted patrolling the weed beds in search of Callibaetis nymphs, duns or spinners. Blind fishing leech patterns or twitching nymph patterns through the weed beds, or in the reservoir's many fingers, can produce excellent results when conditions disallow sight fishing. Fish well over 20 inches are not uncommon.
Henry's Lake, situated about 20 miles south of West Yellowstone on the Idaho side of the Continental Divide amidst the Centennial Mountains, is a world renowned trophy trout fishery and the source of the Henry's Fork river. Cutthroat, Brook, and Hybrid Trout inhabit the shallow lake, which has a maximum depth of around 25 feet. Hybrids upwards of 15 pounds and Brookies well over five pounds are caught annually. Henry's Lake has dense weed beds and many springs, both of which concentrate the fish. Most of the fishing requires blind casting leech, scud, and damselfly patterns on sinking lines. Power boats and float tubes are both popular means of accessing the lake. I recommend those interested in exploring the lake read local legend Bill Scheiss' informative book, "Fishing Henry's Lake,"
Hebgen Lake, located in Montana north of West Yellowstone, is the place for those interested in dry fly fishing in Stillwater. It is here the term "gulper fishing" was coined, as Hebgen Rainbows and Browns feed freely and audibly on the surface during hatches of Callibaetis, Tricos, and Midges. The best action is during mid summer, beginning shortly after sunrise and lasting until the wind comes up. Access is good for those in motorized craft, float tubes and canoes. Even wade fishermen can find success on shallow flats along the shoreline. The lake provides some of the most unique and exciting angling in the area. Quick, accurate casting is at a premium as the fish cruise swiftly when feeding. It is critical to choose a specific fish, determine the path it is traveling, and deliver the fly to the precise spot where the fish will likely rise next. Target the larger fish, most of which will measure between 16 and 20 inches.
Island Park Reservoir is situated northwest of Harriman State Park, between Coffee Pot rapids and the Box Canyon. It holds strong populations of Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Hybrid (Rainbow X Cutthroat) Trout, as well as Kokanee Salmon. In addition to the upper Henry's Fork, this shallow, man made body of water is fed by several small streams and springs at the West End. Boaters and float tubers can easily access this area by driving about ten miles west from the Harriman State Park entrance over the Green Canyon Pass. The West End, with its pronounced weed beds, affords anglers excellent fly fishing opportunities. Fish can often be sighted patrolling the weed beds in search of Callibaetis nymphs, duns or spinners. Blind fishing leech patterns or twitching nymph patterns through the weed beds, or in the reservoir's many fingers, can produce excellent results when conditions disallow sight fishing. Fish well over 20 inches are not uncommon.
Henry's Lake, situated about 20 miles south of West Yellowstone on the Idaho side of the Continental Divide amidst the Centennial Mountains, is a world renowned trophy trout fishery and the source of the Henry's Fork river. Cutthroat, Brook, and Hybrid Trout inhabit the shallow lake, which has a maximum depth of around 25 feet. Hybrids upwards of 15 pounds and Brookies well over five pounds are caught annually. Henry's Lake has dense weed beds and many springs, both of which concentrate the fish. Most of the fishing requires blind casting leech, scud, and damselfly patterns on sinking lines. Power boats and float tubes are both popular means of accessing the lake. I recommend those interested in exploring the lake read local legend Bill Scheiss' informative book, "Fishing Henry's Lake,"
Hebgen Lake, located in Montana north of West Yellowstone, is the place for those interested in dry fly fishing in Stillwater. It is here the term "gulper fishing" was coined, as Hebgen Rainbows and Browns feed freely and audibly on the surface during hatches of Callibaetis, Tricos, and Midges. The best action is during mid summer, beginning shortly after sunrise and lasting until the wind comes up. Access is good for those in motorized craft, float tubes and canoes. Even wade fishermen can find success on shallow flats along the shoreline. The lake provides some of the most unique and exciting angling in the area. Quick, accurate casting is at a premium as the fish cruise swiftly when feeding. It is critical to choose a specific fish, determine the path it is traveling, and deliver the fly to the precise spot where the fish will likely rise next. Target the larger fish, most of which will measure between 16 and 20 inches.
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