Henry's Fork Report - July 20, 2023

Henry’s Fork Streamflows

Island Park Dam:  1610 cfs

Ashton Dam:  2450 cfs

St. Anthony:  1040 cfs

Fall River:  276 cfs

It’s been a good week on the Henry’s Fork, with much of the activity and focus on the upper river sections.  This pattern of sunny and low wind mornings has been providing anglers with some great dry fly opportunity, and the higher flows due to irrigation demand are keeping the system healthy and fresh for the time being.  Lower turbidity than we’ve seen the past years for mid-July and we hope this will hold for the weeks to come.  The Fork is a beautiful river to be on at the moment, there’s still plenty of green in the landscape and the river is flowing relatively clear.  The coming week shouldn’t see too much change, and we hope the fishing will hold on.

Box Canyon

The Box is moving right along with flows around 1600 cfs, a short dry fly run is in order as is an all day affair for those wanting to ply her waters with indicator rigs and split shot.  Clarity has been good this week and we hope this will continue through the end of the month, but weather and the level of Island Park Reservoir will be the determining factors.  There are quite a few golden stones in the canyon and a dry fly run is a possibility any day the sun Is shining, as well as on some days when it’s not!  For goldens, we like Lawson’s Stone in a 6-10, Water Walkers 8-12, BSA Razorback Goldens, and JoJo’s.  Nymph selections should have your favorite Rubberlegs nymph in a 6-12, Pts and Tactical R/L Pts 14-16, Two Bit Hookers 14-16, Red and Brown Zebra Midges 14-18, Frenchies 14-16, and your favorite Perdigons in 14-18.  Streamer fishing is an option during periods of low light or in the fast water up top.

Railroad Ranch

Ranch anglers will do well to study and pursue the spinner fall opportunity in the mornings, there is some great fishing happening out there at the moment, but you’ll need to cover some ground to find targets.  Afternoon successes are pretty slim on a warm and sunny day but are there for those who seek them.  A few clouds in the afternoon can go a long way.  Primary bugs out there at the moment are PMDs 14-16, Flavs 14, and Caddis 14-16.  There are a few gray drakes around as well so be sure to have some of these handy.  A size 14 Rusty Spinner can do a lot of damage in there at the moment, but be sure to have several variations to offer a picky fish or one that you just missed that won’t seem to go down…For spinners, we like the Profile Spinner, Copenhaver Spinner, Barrett’s Flav Spinner, and of course Harrop Paraspinners and CDC Profile Spinners.  For a flav emergence have a CDC Biot dun or a Variant Cripple handy.  HF Caddis will cover you for the caddis in the right colors when needed.  Enjoy these beautiful days on the Ranch, there are some memorable moments happening out there on a daily basis.

Canyon Country

These beautiful days of summer are prime time for enjoying a run down into the canyons of the Henry’s Fork. An inflatable raft and a skilled operator on the oars is a must have for safe navigation, and fishing is generally good with action.  We like a dry/dropper rig across the board, a “Chubberlegs” is a good start, step down to a size 12 Pheasant Tail or Perdigon if they don’t like the rubberlegs.  Streamers are an option as well, best in periods of low light, early and late.  The high canyon walls make for more hours of this than you’ll find in other sections…

Warm River to Ashton

This piece of water is holding up and generally offering a good day’s fishing.  Hot and sunny days can get a little stale in there in the afternoons, so an early start or an afternoon/evening run can be a good option.  Some great trout coming out of here these past two weeks in addition to the usual suspects of 10-12” rainbows and whitefish.

Below Ashton Dam

It’s been quite a run down on the lower this year, but the time has come to pay close attention to water temperatures while on the water.  Opportunity is slim, but some can be found in the morning hours.  Expect fishing to shut off on a warm day around 1:00pm or so.  Though some fishing can be found, now is a good time to focus on the sections upstream of Ashton.

Get out there and have fun!