The fishing up around these parts has been solid this past week. For the most part, all throughout the system, the salmonflies have almost finished their yearly crawl and are being followed up by the first golden stoneflies of the season. The March Browns and BWO’s are winding down, but the PMD’s are wasting no time filling the void. The Green Drakes are eager to pop and the caddis activity has provided some outstanding angling opportunities as of late. Add to that a solid selection of terrestrial insects and these thick Henry’s Fork trout don’t have to look far for a good meal. Angler success has been great, leading us to believe that the Railroad Ranch opener will be nothing short of outstanding. Here’s what to expect should you find yourself on the capitol H Fork in the coming week.BOX CANYON: The Salmonfies are all but wrapped up. You may see one flying here and there and you’d be better off focusing your efforts on the golden flight, which has just started. Look for bugs hitting the water and focus your presentations on the middle of the river. The caddis are thick at times and nymphing with a small beadhead caddis or mayfly pattern is really starting to heat up. A rubberleg to beadhead dropper combo assault is a deadly approach. This is a great time to nymph the flashy stuff, so make sure to have a little bling in your box. Look for solid dry fly opportunities in the lower canyon through Last Chance run and don’t be scared to pull a streamer early and late in the day.
LAST CHANCE: The PMD’s are coming on strong and we should start to see some worthy spinner falls as the result. Couple that with heavy daily caddis movement, and it’s enough to give any Ranch Head anticipatory jitters. There are still a few March Browns and BWO’s as well, so don’t cross those off quite yet. If the weather remains on track, look for the Green Drakes to pop a tad early this year. We are very likely to see a few on the Ranch Opener next Sunday.
LOWER MESA TO ASHTON: The canyon section all the way to the meeting with Ashton Reservoir has been fishing great. Golden Stones with rubberleg or beadhead droppers are standard M.O., but the streamer fishing can really turn a big dog this time of year. Look for pods of fish up on caddis, PMDs and Green Drakes. The area around Stone Bridge is a fun option for the walk-wade angler and deep nymph rigs are a recipe for sure success.LOWER RIVER: The Golden Stone fishing can be superb at times and we’re seeing strong caddis, PMD and even a little Green Drake activity. Gray Drake and Flav sightings are imminent. Small beadhead caddis and mayfly droppers will only add to angler success. The rubberleg is an old stand-by, so have a few of those in your box. This sector should really blow up over the next few weeks. Get those presentations tight to the bank with a drag free drift and hold on. Days with unsettled weather and the morning/evening fishing demand a few pulls of the streamer, so come prepared. These trout are large and in charge, affording some truly epic angling.
HENRY’S LAKE: The fishing on the lake has slowed a bit, but if you move around, you’re bound to find some good fish. Strip bugger and leech patterns or hang a chironomid or smallish bead head under a high floating dry or indicator.
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