Henry's Fork Fishing Report - June 11, 2026
Henry’s Fork Streamflows
Island Park Dam: 755 cfs
Ashton Dam: 1330 cfs
St. Anthony: 1290 cfs
Fall River: 893 cfs and dropping
June on the Henry’s Fork is a special period, and a time of year that most of us think about during the rest of the trout season and year! When winter’s snowfall begins to turn to the showers of spring, we begin thinking about the hatches and fishing that we might see during the month that contains the summer solstice and our longest fishing days of the year. We find ourselves plugging into the system in hopes of making the right decisions about fishing in the weeks to come; checking daily weather forecasts in multiple zip codes, monitoring flows each morning, and communicating with fishing friends in our closest circles about what hatches we’re seeing in different locations. All this in hopes of getting and maintaining a finger on the pulse of some of our favorite fishing of the year. This June has been an interesting one so far and is keeping everyone on their toes with earlier-than-normal hatches occurring alongside wildly variable weather, forecasted and not forecasted. There is some great fishing out there right now, but be prepared to adapt to quickly changing conditions; waders are still a good idea and a rain jacket is a must, as ever. On next Monday, the Railroad Ranch opens for the season, all signs are pointing to good conditions during opening week!
Box Canyon
The top of the watershed, as far as this report is concerned, is fishing well and in good shape. We’ve just received some preliminary reports from IDFG population estimates for this year and they are showing higher numbers per mile than anticipated and a larger-than-anticipated 1st year age class of fish. The low flows of last winter would normally suggest that lower numbers of first year trout will survive, but a more mild winter seems to have allowed for greater survival rates. These estimates are preliminary, and effects of this mild winter and current low water situations have been difficult to predict so far, but it’s fun to receive some great news that wasn’t expected! Nymph fishing is the norm in here, but streamers and golden stonefly dries can both produce results. Nymphs should represent March Browns, PMDs, Flavs, Green Drakes, Stoneflies, Caddis, and Midges. Our favorites at the moment are: Rubberlegs #8-10; PTs, R/L Tactical PTs, Red Necks, Split Backs #14-18; Hare/Copper, tan and olive HP Caddis Pupa, SH PTs #14-18; red and brown Zebra Midges #14-18. Lots of favorites out there in the perdigon department, but we wouldn’t be without a handful of the following: Olive Hot Spot, Black Daggers, Spanish Bullets, Bullet Quills, red Jig Napoleons, Duracells #14-18. At these flows, a dry/dropper rig can still be effective, and those fishing indicator nymphing rigs should be frequently adjusting weight for the depth of the water they’re fishing.
Railroad Ranch
After one of the greatest parties in flyfishing concludes at the Trouthunter late on June 14th, the Railroach Ranch opens for fishing for the 2026 season on the morning of June 15th, next Monday.
All signs are pointing to having reasonably good conditions for fishing opening week. Hatches are already present, trickling PMDs, March Browns, and Caddis throughout the day. We’re in hopes of increased PMD activity, Caddis, perhaps the arrival of Green Drakes to the caldera, and prepared for baetis as well. Carpenter ants are around and can make for a juicy offering in some situations. Long leaders, 5X tippet, and barbless hooks are a necessity, a stealthy approach a recommendation. Low water conditions will require walking longer distances between concentrations of targets. Anglers may find themselves fishing a bit closer to one another until flows rise a bit and the trout spread out; tolerance, courtesy and good communication will all be good things to keep in mind. Opening week is a fun time out there, anglers from all over the world and country make their annual pilgrimages to come fish these waters, it’s a great time to meet new friends on the water and share this incredible fishery with like-minded anglers. We hope to see you out there!
Canyon Country
The canyons remain a solid choice for a day’s fishing adventure. Flows are at a great level currently but will become more difficult as they approach and exceed 1000 cfs out of Island Park Dam. Keep an eye on the levels if making the call to get into these sections for a day. HI-viz stonefly dries with rubblegs dropped beneath are the standard rig down here, but there is room for variety if that’s not working. We love the BSA Jig Rubberlegs in here: all colors and all sizes. If that’s not working, try a Rosa Pink, Hare/Copper from Category 3 or a Copper John in #12-14 to get things moving. Don’t forget your extra layers and rain gear, weather has a way of sneaking up on you in these canyons.
Warm River to Ashton
This section has been fishing well lately, with good action on generally medium-sized trout. Shots at larger trout are a daily occurrence and beautiful scenery a guarantee. Dry/Dropper rigs and indicator nymph rigs can be used and both will be effective when fished in appropriate water which matches depth to the rig. Dry fly purists can have fun down here as well, the odd Golden Stonefly is still flying around, Green Drakes have been seen over this past week and are still a possibility, lots of water-loving caddis are present, and PMDs can be found on most days. A fun day down here can be to have a rod rigged with each kind of rig and change it up throughout the day. Fly selections are about the same as that for the Box Canyon, with the addition of more dry flies that look like Goldens, Drakes, Flavs, PMDs and Caddis!
Below Ashton Reservoir
The dry fly fishing on the lower river has activated this past week, but remains somewhat unpredictable. Hatches can be sparse on one day and thick on the next, but anglers who hunt rising trout will find rising trout, there are enough of them out there looking to the surface to find a little game throughout the day. Anglers should be well prepared for a variety of hatches at the moment, we’re coming from a caddis-dominant week that is transitioning into a Drake-dominated week, conditions will dictate how this one comes to a close. There are PMDs, Caddis, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, and Baetis all present, with some Flavs starting to appear. A variety of flies are good to keep on hand down here, this is the time of year that the bill of my hat becomes my most-utilized fly box! I’m always switching flies out based on different fish and different conditions. Golden Stones: HF Golden Stonefly, BSA Razorback Golden, Mimic Hopper, JoJo’s Golden #6-10. PMDs: Heames’ Klinkhammer PMD, Comparadun, Harrop Thorax PMD and Last Chance Cripple PMD #14-18. Green Drakes: JoJo’s Green Drake, Variant Cripple, SH Green Drake, Morris Green Drake Cripple, Harrop’s Hackle Wing Spinner, and Arrick’s Paradrake #10-12. Flavs: Moore’s Flav, Harrop’s Thorax and Last Chance Cripple Flav, Variant Cripple #12-14. Caddis: Spotlight Caddis, Partridge Caddis, Harrop’s Henry’s Fork Caddis, Iron X Caddis #14-20. Spinners: Harrop’s Paraspinner and CDC Spinners, Copenhaver, Barrett’s, Hackle Stackers, and any of your other #12-18 favorites are all welcome. Think yellow, rusty, and green!
Get out there and good luck!!
