Henry's Fork Fishing Report - October 9, 2025

Henry’s Fork Streamflows

Island Park Dam:  58 cfs

Ashton Dam:  588 cfs

St. Anthony:  720 cfs

Fall River:  399 cfs

There are some good fishing opportunities on the Henry’s Fork, but it is most definitely a low water environment, weeds are an issue that must be dealt with and trout will be concentrated into deeper holding lies throughout the river.  Water temps and clarity are in good shape.  At this point, irrigation season is over and we are saving water for winter flows after a very dry summer.  

Box Canyon

At these flows, the Box Canyon is almost a walking endeavor more than a rowing one.  Though navigable at its current state, boaters should expect to walk the boat more than row it through certain sections.  Trout will be concentrated into deeper lies, anglers should expect to concentrate on these sections while using finer tippets and smaller flies, generally.  Weeds are an issue as they have been these past weeks, so be sure to check your flies often and keep them clean.  Dry/dropper rigs are useful at these flows, but indicator nymphing rigs will work in the deeper water.  Streamers on floating lines can be effective as well, but will be a better choice in the upper mile and during periods of lower light.  For nymphs, we are still liking small flies generally, with PTs, R/L Tactical PTs, Cocktail Nymphs, HP Caddis Pupa #16-20.  Perdigons make a great choice as well, we are liking the red Jig Napoleons, Olive Hot Spots, Bullet Quills, Spanish Bullets, Black Daggers, and Jake’s SH #16-20.  Streamer selection can vary but it’s hard to beat black or olive BSA Boufaces and two-tone streamers like a Double Bunny or Barely Legals.

Railroad Ranch

With low water, expect to cover some ground in search of rising trout, distribution throughout the real estate of the State Park won’t be wide, look for concentrations of trout near areas with deeper holding water.  At low flows, anglers’ wakes will spread and put fish down before they can get a cast out, so a slow and careful approach will be necessary.  Weed mats can conceal your wake, worth considering this as you approach a rising target.  This time of year has plenty of trout eating dry flies when there are hatches available, many of them smaller and mid-sized trout, so it will take careful observation to pinpoint larger specimens.  It seems a favorite tactic of Ranch trout this time of year is to surround themselves with a pod of smaller trout, making them difficult to target.  Larger trout prefer to eat mahogany flies this time of year, while smaller ones are happy to rise on baetis, it’s worth considering this when making your first presentation.  Lots of fun fish in the 12-14” range that can make for fun dry fly targets and a good day of dry fly fishing.  Weeds will be a force than needs to be contended with, so don’t let them frustrate you, instead find a way to deal with them efficiently and methodically.  For flies we like to have a range of small spinners #16-22, baetis dries and emergers (we always like Bucky’s Baetis and Quigley’s Flag Dun), small greaselined PTs #16-20, mahogany patterns like the CDC Thorax, Captive Dun, and CDC Biot Dun are useful, a few small caddis, and you never want to be without a few terrestrials just in case. 

Canyon Country

These sections will fish well during this week of fair weather, but they’re low and boaters should be aware that there will be some maneuvering around rocks just to get through.  Inflatable rafts are a must at these flows, and anglers should be reminded to bring extra layers, weather can sneak up on you here and the sun comes off the water quickly at this time of year.  Dry/droppers and streamers make up most of the offerings, it’s still hard to be a rubberlegs for a nymph in here, but beadheaded mayfly patterns in #14-16 can be effective as well.  Streamer fishing in the canyons shouldn’t be overlooked as it can be excellent during this time of year with these flows.

Warm River to Ashton

This remains a good choice for a day’s fishing, with good conditions for indicator nymphing, dry/droppers, and streamer fishing, choose your own adventure!   Nymph selection should be about the same as that suggested for the Box Canyon, and streamers can be a wide variety of offerings on a variety of rigs.  Now is still a good time to experiment with different lines from floating all the way to 25’ foot sink tips.  Match your line to the water you’re fishing and go from there.  Brown trout are on the move and show up in the darndest places!

Below Ashton Dam

With lower flows, anglers should expect more weedy conditions, with a focus on dry/dropper rigs during sunny days, cloudy days will bring more dry fly activity.  Small nymphs will produce the most strikes, but streamers and blind fished dry flies will produce as well. 

Get out there and have fun, good luck!!