Henry's Fork Report - July 18, 2024

Henry’s Fork Streamflows

Island Park Dam:  1670 cfs

Ashton Dam:  2510 cfs

St. Anthony:  1190 cfs

Fall River:  139 cfs

While other rivers in the western US are decreasing in size due to summer conditions, the Henry’s Fork is still running high, with irrigation demand from downstream at its seasonal peak.  This is not always good for the fishing conditions we want each day, but it is being thoroughly enjoyed by the river’s fishy residents!  Water clarity is currently pretty good throughout the system, and good fishing opportunities can be found for those who consider weather and flows before deciding where to spend the day’s fishing.

Box Canyon

The Box is running high and fast, the displacement of water due to aquatic vegetation growth makes it feel as though it is running at almost 1900 cfs.  Not many rocks to hit in there at the current state, and some extra lead is going to be required for anglers who are indicator nymphing in there, we like a single or even double BB shot with 6-7 feet of leader between the indicator and the point fly.  There are golden stones flying around in there and enough fish eating them to make an afternoon’s dry fly journey worthwhile.  Streamer fishing is a fair bet in here at these conditions, we generally like a floating line with a fast-sinking fly in there.  White, black, and olive are a good place to start for color selection.  For the nymphing crowd, we are liking Rubberlegs Stonefly nymphs #6-10, Red and Claret SJW’s #8-10, Olive or Black Bouface Leech, #10, Olive HP Caddis Pupa #14, Hare/Copper #14-16, Red Zebra Midges #14, Rednecks #14-16, and Tactical R/L PTs #12-14.  Great time to pull out those big-headed perdigons as well, some of our favorites are:  Olive Hot Spot #14-16, PMD Bomb #14, Spanish Bullet #14-16, Bullet Quill #14-16, and Jig Napoleons in Red and Olive #14-16.  Dry fly anglers will do well to stick to Golden Stone variants, we love the Lawson’s HF Golden Stone #6-14, Waterwalkers #8-10, and BSA Razorback Golden #8-10.

Railroad Ranch

The morning spinner fall remains your best bet for Ranch bound anglers, but it hasn’t been heavy this last week and has been short in duration.  In most cases, the bugs are finished by noon, and we expect these conditions to continue.  This week’s forecast shows similar days with temps in the 80s but potentially more frequent afternoon thunderstorms, which might help to drive more hatch activity in the late afternoons, and hopefully put more bugs out there for the next morning’s spinner fall.  PMDs, Flavs, Gray Drakes and a scattering of caddis are the primary bugs to be found out there at the moment, having a few flying ants and grasshopper patterns is an increasingly good idea at this time of year.  Afternoons are pretty quiet through most of the Ranch, but some focus on areas around springs will result in more consistent bug activity, primarily PMDs.  Be prepared with emergers and spinner patterns!  The current high water conditions are keeping those fish happy underwater, but preventing them from rising with the consistency we hope for, be prepared to make the most out of sparse targets and infrequent rises.  This is a good time of year for a quick and precise cast. 

Canyon Country

This remains a good time to enjoy the remote canyons of the Henry’s Fork, with high water there are fewer rocks to avoid, but the water is not easily penetrated with flies.  Heavily weighted streamers and droppers will help with this, but so will keeping a keen eye out for what is fishable water and what isn’t!  Focus on areas where you can see some of the bottom’s structure and fish those areas well.  A raft is a must down here at the moment as well as solid oarsmanship.

Warm River to Ashton

Plenty of fun to be had down here for those anglers wishing to find a little more in the way of action than might be found elsewhere on the Henry’s Fork.  Indicator rigs are the standard fare at these flows, but dry/dropper and streamer rigs will both produce quality fish as well.  Nymph choices should reflect those of the Box Canyon, with a little more emphasis on the rubberlegs and leeches, this is a good time of year to throw out a hearty meal as one of your offerings below a strike indicator.

Below Ashton Dam

At these flows and coming temperatures, now is a good time to give the lower river a break, water temps won’t take too long to reach 70 degrees each day and hatches are pretty well done for down there. 

Good luck out there!