Blog

A nice bout of inclement weather really pushed the fishing into high gear this past week. The lower river exploded with green drakes, PMD’s, caddis and flavs, which provided anglers with plenty of big fish opportunities. The golden stone activity remains strong and there are plenty of spinners on the water as well. The upper river through the Harriman Ranch and into Last Chance continues to fish well with PMD’s, green drakes, and caddis. The brown drakes and flavs will show up in numbers this week, so get ready. Here’s what’s shakin’ on the Fork.

BOX CANYON: Current flows from IP res are 470cfs. These low flows make for a bumpy float and a raft or pontoon boat is a more favorable option than a drift boat. On the up side, these flows make for some easy walk wading. Look for golden stones to be hitting the surface throughout the day. Fish a big golden pattern and add a bead head dropper below it to increase your odds, or fish double nymph rigs under an indicator. Fish sunsurface PMD, green drake, caddis, stonefly and midge imitations. Fish big streamer patterns in low light conditions.

HARRIMAN RANCH - LAST CHANCE: Strong PMD, caddis and green drake hatches are keeping the big rainbows happy. The fishing really starts to heat up around 10:30-11:00am and continues intermittently through the day. Look for fish to be up on green drake and PMD spinners early and late in the day. During mid day lolls, present smaller terrestrial patterns to working trout. The brown drakes and flavs will show this week, so be prepared for some of the most exciting dry fly fishing of the year.

WR-A: This stretch continues to offer reliable fishing day in and day out. Fish caddis, golden stones, PMD’s, green drakes and terrestrials on top. A bead head dropper is certainly effective and nymphing a big stonefly nymph with a bead head dropper is always a safe bet on this section of the Fork. Bring those streamers along and fish them early and late or when the skies turn grey.

LOWER RIVER: The Henry's Fork below Ashton Dam continues to fish extremely well. We’re still seeing good numbers of green drakes, caddis, PMD’s and flavs. Adding a bead head dropper will double your odds. Look for big browns and rainbows feeding on the surface and present those flies accurately with a drag free drift. Streamers are moving some large fish as well, so be sure to pack the meat box along.

IP RES AND HENRY’S LAKE: The fish are in deeper water, but responding well to standard stillwater nymphs, buggers and leech patterns. Hanging a chironomid pattern under a high floating dry or indicator is effective as well.

THE MADISON: The water is coming down and clearing. The nymph fishing along the edges has been outstanding. Fish big rubberleg stonefly nymphs with bead head attractor droppers for best results. Streamers are also taking plenty of big trout and is an exciting option in the higher flows. The salmonflies have begun to hatch and are currently around Ennis.

Stop by the fly shop for real time conditions and hatch beta or to pick up the perfect flies. We also have the finest selection of gear and tackle in the area to outfit you with anything you may need for your fly fishing adventure. See you soon!