Henry's Fork Fishing Report - July 9, 2026

Henry’s Fork Streamflows

Island Park Dam:  1280 cfs, projected 1380 cfs by the time this report publishes

Ashton Dam:  1860 cfs

St. Anthony:  1050 cfs

Fall River:  285

As we enter the second full week of July, we feel we are on borrowed time with water quality and fishing conditions based on spring’s forecasts following a dry winter across the west.  We’ve been lucky with rain events and cooler weather just when we needed them most and so far these conditions are keeping things fishable.  I think at this point it’s critical to say that keeping a close eye on conditions is an important ingredient to success on the Henry’s Fork.  Perhaps it is the dire predictions of this spring that are giving my reports a rosy tint as we are currently faring better than expected.  All of this can and eventually will, change quickly.  Record high temperatures are in the forecast this week, but so are partly cloudy conditions, which can give provide some respite from the blazing sun.  Turbidity out of Island Park Dam is the issue of greatest concern, we expect that at some point this will rise to a point that is deemed unfishable, something we experienced last year for an extended period.  So far, so good, turbidity is holding as are flows.  Flows will continue to increase, and this will dirty up the water as it happens, but we have some room to go before all hope is lost!  The Henry’s Fork is an incredibly diverse river with a variety of angling opportunities available, anglers will do well to adjust to a changing environment and conditions.  For flow information and water conditions such as turbidity, keep a bookmark on the Henry’s Fork Foundation’s website on the Water Quality page.  If you’re not a member of the Henry’s Fork Foundation and you love this river, you should be.  Access to this sort of data saves fishing trips and provides us with the backbone of understanding of the system so that we can face future challenges as they come.

Box Canyon

First in line for the changing conditions out of Island Park Dam, the Box Canyon is not only the workhorse of the river, but it is the first to feel the impacts of flow and turbidity changes.  Keep an eye on conditions before launching, but know that it has been fishing well as of late.  The Box at these flows is an all day affair or a quick dry fly or streamer run.  These flows give good coverage and allow ample room for trout to spread out.  Expect weeds to be a bit of an issue, so check your hooks frequently for hitchhiking organics, no self respecting trout is going to eat your size 16 Pheasant Tail if it has salad attached.  Indicator nymphing, as usual, will provide the best results, but don’t underestimate the value of a golden stone as a dry fly at the moment.  Dry/droppers can be effective, especially if anglers target a depth of water that allows them to be so.  As ever, adjust weight with the water you’re fishing, B and BB shot will come in handy.  For dry flies, try the HF Golden Stone, Jojo’s Golden, BSA Razorback Golden, or a now classic Chubby Chernobyl.  For nymphs, we’re liking the following:  PTs, R/L Tactical PTs, Rednecks, Olive HP Caddis Pupas, Hare/Copper #14-16; Rubberlegs , BSA Jig Rubberlegs and 101 Stones #8-12;  red and brown Zebra Midges #14-18.  Your favorite perdigons are still as valid as ever:  Spanish Bullet, Bullet Quill, PMD Frenchies, Red Jig Napoleons, Olive Hot Spots and Black Daggers will all produce results.

Railroad Ranch

Well, we’re thankful for every additional day that we’re able to fish down here, hatches are holding on and reports are highly variable, depending on who’s giving them to us.  There is still opportunity out there, and some of it very good, so get out there while you can!  We’re still seeing PMDs, Caddis, Flavs, Gray Drakes, the odd Green Drake, Golden Stones, and holy cow…a lot of “Mormon Crickets”.  There’s quite a bit of protein on the water these days, so come prepared with a box full of offerings, no telling what you might find out there!  Starting with the usual suspects, anglers will do well to look for spinner eaters in the mornings, PMD and Flav spinners make up the bulk of the offerings.  Caddis will be sprinkled in there as well.  Late mornings can provide emergences of PMDs, the odd Gray or Green Drake and evenings can be spinner heavy on all of the above.  The recent infestation and march of Mormon Crickets has been amusing to watch and quite unique in this part of the world, we’ve heard about it in other areas in the west but it’s not a common occurrence here.  Reports are mostly that these are largely going uneaten but some of our guides, myself included, have seen some of them get eaten (outside of the Ranch waters).  Mornings and evenings provide the best angling and the heat of the afternoon a good time to consider taking a break.  We’re keeping our boxes stocked with Harrop’s PMD Thorax, PMD Transitional Dun, Hackled Spinner in a Gray and Green Drake, PMD and Flav Last Chance Cripple, PMD and Flav CDC Spinners, Heames’ Klinkhammer PMD, Barrett’s Flav Spinner, HF Caddis, a small variety of Golden Stones, Lawson’s Partridge Caddis and PMD Halfback.  Targets can be sparse out there, so take a chance on an infrequent riser from time to time and consider positioning yourself for better visibility on your target in order to make more effective presentations.

Canyon Country

The canyons of the Henry’s Fork are providing anglers with some good old fashioned fun and glimpses of interesting potential.  Dry/Droppers have been giving the best action, and a good number of small to medium sized fish are eating the dry fly as well.  We prefer a high visibility stonefly as a dry and a rubberlegs or BSA Jig Rubberlegs as a dropper, but the Rosa Pink and Red Tag Jig in a #12 are producing great results on some days as well.  There are still golden stoneflies around, and on some days, a good number of the oversized crickets.  Remember that weather can sneak up on you in here, so bring extra layers, a raft, and an expert oarsman!

Warm River to Ashton

Plenty of good days and smiles on anglers’ faces down here.  This section is a great piece of water that can serve both as a terrific introduction to the sport of flyfishing and a fun day for an experienced angler to enjoy.  Beautiful scenery, easily read water, active trout and a fun diversity of habitat make up the key ingredients.  Indicator nymphing rigs are the most common, but there is plenty of room for dry/dropper rigs down here.  Flies should be reflective of the Box Canyon selections, but be sure to add some #10 BSA Bouface Leeches in olive or black to round it out. 

Below Ashton Reservoir

High temperatures in the forecast dictate that angler be conservative down here, for the most part, we’re leaving this alone until weather events or fall come to pass.  There will be some opportunity here in the mornings and evenings, but anglers will do best to place their focus on waters upstream.

Good luck out there!!