Henry's Fork Report - June 26, 2025

Henry’s Fork Streamflows

Island Park Dam:  1410 cfs

Ashton Dam:  1740 cfs

St. Anthony:  936 cfs

Fall River:  241 cfs

Hey, Folks! Steve Hoovler here filling in for Jonathan with this week's Henry's Fork Report. I'll do my best to fill his enormous shoes, but rest assured, Jonathan will be back next week to share his unmatched experience and thoughtful take on the fishery. 

Last weekend’s dose of scuzzy weather was a welcome break after weeks of bright sunshine and warm temperatures. The river responded with thick emergences of PMD, Flav, and Green Drake mayflies. As is often the case, reports of rising fish varied, but there were plenty of good opportunities across the Ranch and lower river. However, following the storm, cool mornings didn’t help much with spinner falls, and the rising outflows from IP Dam made finding rising fish more challenging.

Looking ahead, the weather will warm, but there’s a chance for some monsoonal moisture midweek, which could help with hatches, especially as irrigation diversions increase and flows continue to rise.

Box Canyon

With flows now topping 1400cfs out of IP Dam, the Box is at a comfortable flow for drifting and indicator nymph fishing. Golden Stones are still trickling off in the afternoons providing a fun dry fly option for a quick run and gun afternoon float. Turbidity is improving after a quick push of sediment from the dam following the cold weather last weekend. Generally we are favoring the following nymphs:  Tungsten PTs, R/L Tactical PTs, Split Cases, Hare/Copper, HP Caddis Pupa, Rednecks, red Zebra Midges #14-18, Rubberlegs #8-10.  Perdigons are always useful at these flows:  Olive Hot Spots, red Napoleon Jigs, Duracells, Spanish Bullets, Bullet Quills, Tung PMD Bombs #14-18 are all a good bet.  Be sure to bring both B and BB split shot, change frequently and according to the water you’re fishing!

Railroad Ranch

Flows are steadily on the rise in the Ranch topping 1400cfs currently, and expected to be grow to 1600cfs over the next few days. Water clarity is currently good in the Ranch, but may deteriorate as flows continue to rise. With higher flows it will become more and more necessary to put some miles in while searching for targets. Hatches may be limited during the afternoons, morning and spinner falls will be your best opportunities.  Some flies that anglers should have in their boxes:  Variant Cripple Green Drake, Harrop’s Hackled Green Drake Spinner, BSA Green Drake SH, Barret’s Flav Spinner, Flav LC Cripple, CDC Biot Flav, PMD CDC Thorax, PMD Transitional Dun, HF Caddis, rusty, cream and olive spinners, CDC or Copenhaver’s.

Canyon Country

Higher flows down through the canyons will make for some easier rowing and fun floats i the coming weeks. Get those "Chubber Legs" - Chubby Chernobyl with a Rubber Legs Dropper - rigs ready and be prepared to get those flies down deep quickly. 

Warm River to Ashton

This section usually provides fishing that is more resilient to the ups and downs of the flows in the upper and lower river, situated right in the middle with the input of the Warm River, this section will stay sporty and cold for the whole season.  We are moving more towards indicator nymphing with rigs similar to those recommended for the Box Canyon, but a close eye should be kept out for feeding trout with Green Drakes, Caddis, and PMDs present.  Good sessions of dry fly fishing can be found at this time of year for those that keep an eye out for opportunities.

Below Ashton Reservoir

The hatch cycle is winding down quickly on the lower river. Methodical anglers can still find fish in the mornings with Flav, PMD, and Grey Drake Spinners, and in the afternoons with Golden Stones, though the opportunities are dwindling. Water temperatures remain good below Ashton, but be sure to monitor the thermometer as warmer weather returns next week.

It’s been a fun June on our beloved Henry’s Fork, and while the hatch cycle is winding down in some areas, there’s still plenty of game to be had before the peak flows of irrigation season arrive. Get out there and have some fun!