Henry's Fork Fishing Report - October 8, 2026

Henry’s Fork Streamflows

Island Park Dam:  69 cfs

Ashton Dam:  725 cfs

St. Anthony:  801 cfs

Fall River:  365 cfs

As we near the second week of what has been the fairest fall in memory, the forecast looks to be bringing about some welcome change.  It’s hard to complain about beautiful weather, and we’ve had a good run of it, but we’re ready to see what this fall has to offer on the Henry’s Fork.  This weather will be arriving just as flows have dropped to their lows for the season, Island Park Dam flows were reduced on Tuesday and as of this writing the flows are still catching up to the decrease downstream.  Low flows make for spooky fish, but scuzzy weather should offset some of that with some quality fall fishing and hatches.  Weeds are a presence throughout the river and anglers will do well to learn to deal with them quickly and efficiently.  Boat and angler wakes travel further in lower flows and trout will be more sensitive to both, getting out of the boat for approaches on foot can be a useful tactic where rising trout are encountered.

Box Canyon

The Box has been and should continue to fish well through this next week, though most watercraft won’t make it through without leaving a large amount of gel coat on the rocks.  Oarsman will have to get out and walk boats through areas, pushing over rocks in others.  If this doesn’t sound fun to you, well, it isn’t!  Naturally, boat traffic will be reduced in here outside of the hearty few.  This is a great time to consider walking into some of your favorite runs in the Box Canyon, getting on foot can be very productive, wading staffs are highly recommended.  Fishing will be best with shallow nymphing rigs under indicators or dry flies, streamers can be productive as well but drifting weeds can be an issue.  Small nymphs are the theme here, primarily imitating midges and baetis.  We’re still liking the following:  unweighted PTs, red and brown Zebra Midges, Split Case, Rednecks #16-20; Rubberlegs stonefly nymphs #10-12.  Many perdigons will work but we especially like Olive Hot Spots, Spanish Bullets, Jakes’ SH, Black Daggers and red Jig Napoleons #16-18.

Railroad Ranch

Though water conditions haven’t been lining up with weather conditions here lately, the Ranch should provide some opportunity for anglers looking to fish to rising fish this weekend and beyond.  Cloudy weather on the horizon will create some terrific hatch conditions, we expect to see decent hatches of baetis and mahogany duns throughout the Ranch.  Water is clear but extremely low, so a stealthy approach will be imperative for success.  For anglers wanting to enjoy the Ranch this fall, this weekend and beyond will likely be the best chance to have good fishing that we’ve seen in a while.  Be prepared to work through lots of small rising trout and keep a keen eye out for clues of a large trout’s presence.  This time of year can fool even the best anglers as smaller fish can be keyed in on emergers, and give the impression of being larger than they are.  Telltale signs can be visual (noses, fins and other body parts), or auditory (that unmistakable sound that sounds like someone stepping on a piece of dry macaroni, as my friend Fred says…), so keep your senses tuned in!  For flies, we would bring a variety of small spinners #16-22, several baetis/BWO patterns in duns and emergers #16-18, and a mix of mahogany imitations in floating nymphs, emergers, duns and spinners #14-16.  A few terrestrials if you’re going to be in there prior to Sunday would be wise as well, some of your favorite hoppers and a variety of winged ants should cover these bases.

Canyon Country

With the low flows we’re currently experiencing and the cold weather in the forecast, forays into the canyons aren’t very high on the recommended list of places to go fishing!  If you do head in here, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes and plan on moving slowly, taking all day to do it.  Dry/droppers and streamers will do the trick.

Warm River to Ashton

This section continues to provide anglers with some great fishing, no real change to this expected in the coming week other than to be sure to keep a dry fly rod rigged up for rising trout potential along the way.  Otherwise, indicator and streamer rigs will continue to provide the best results, with the same selection of flies as those recommended for the Box Canyon. 

Below Ashton Dam

The lower Henry’s Fork has been fishing decently, and should benefit from the forecasted shift in the weather.  In addition to the indicator nymphing, dry/dropper and streamer rigs that have been in employ, anglers should be on the lookout for rising trout through the midday hours.  Both baetis and mahoganies will make a presence, but low water is going to make these trout wary.  Be careful and deliberate in your approach, getting out of the boat and closing the gap on foot is a solid choice with current conditions. 

Good luck and enjoy!!