Henry's Fork Report - June 5, 2025
Henry’s Fork Streamflows
Island Park Dam: 359 cfs
Ashton Dam: 1260 cfs
St. Anthony: 1780 cfs
Fall River: 1620 cfs
These days this year are some of the most beautiful days of the season, no matter which direction you travel from West Yellowstone. Verdant valleys, snow-capped mountains, blue skies with puffy clouds and plenty of wildflowers adorn the landscape. Enjoy the journey on your way to your destination! In the caldera, Mule’s Ears and Camas are in bloom, in the low country it’s hard not to notice the lilacs along the way. Water conditions on the Henry’s Fork are unusual for the time of year, but good throughout the system. The upper river all the way down to Chester Dam is low and in good shape, hatches are beginning to show and dry fly anglers are finding enough quality targets to warrant the head hunting effort. Subsurface anglers will find themselves focusing on nymphs that best represent the hatches of any given day in the water they’re fishing. The river below Chester has more water, thanks to Fall River, and is fishable all the way to the confluence with the South Fork. We expect the next two weeks to come on fast and furious once things get rolling in earnest, but a keen eye on flows will be important as we’ll begin to see changes in this same timeframe as the Fall River drops and the Henry’s Fork rises to meet irrigation needs.
Box Canyon
At 359 cfs, the Box is unseasonably low but fishing well. It’s a bumpy ride down the canyon but its residents are happy and hungry. At these flows, dry/dropper rigs are an excellent choice as are indicator nymphing rigs. Typically we see a shift to smaller nymphs for the next couple of weeks as PMDs begin to move in the system and salmonflies have come and gone. While larger nymphs can work on the run, anglers will do well to focus their efforts with smaller flies while working the water more carefully. For dry flies, any varietal of a golden stone is a good choice, and the occasional caddis or PMD might come in handy for a fish that decides to rise during this period of low flows. Nymph selections should include representations of PMDs, caddis and midges. We like the following: PTs, R/L Tactical PTs, Split Cases, HP Caddis Pupas, Hare/Coppers #14-18, both red and black Zebra Midges #14-20, Rubberlegs and 101 Stones #8-12. Perdigon flies are always good and our favorites include the Olive Hot Spot, red Jig Napoleon, Tung Bomb PMD, Black Beauty, Spanish Bullet, Bullet Quill #14-18. Keep your anglers locked into their leg locks and have fun!
Railroad Ranch
Closed until June 15th
Canyon Country
The canyons of the Henry’s Fork are an excellent option for anglers with inflatable rafts and solid oarsmanship skills. At these flows, the normally fast water lies are penetrable and accessible, the scenery and ambience is always a win down here. Dry/dropper rigs reign supreme in here, but indicator nymph rigs can be useful when working water more carefully while wading or on anchor. Chubby Chernobyl varietals are a great choice for the dry fly and generally a Rubberlegs nymph works well beneath, but a variety of caddis and mayfly nymph imitations will work if the trout are being persnickety.
Warm River to Ashton
At current flows, all rigs have their place down here: dry flies, dry/droppers, and indicator nymphing rigs will find successes if anglers target the water suitable for each. PMDs and caddis will be present, but keep an eye out for the occasional golden stone or larger mayfly. Nymph selection is the same as the recommendations for the Box Canyon, with a little more focus on stonefly nymphs and an addition of a black leech from time to time.
Below Ashton Dam
It’s like two rivers down here, with the water from Ashton Dam to Chester Dam still running low and the water below Chester Dam at a healthy flow and slightly tea-colored. Hatches are relatively sparse but there are both PMDs and caddisflies present, even the occasional golden stonefly. On the horizon, perhaps even this week, are flavs and green drakes. Head hunting anglers can find what they’re looking for if they keep a keen eye, a careful and patient approach will yield rewards. Flows are conducive to dry/droppers if on the run and not seeing rising trout. This is a good time of year to round out your fly boxes and keep them well stocked with lots of variations of the same insects, we especially like the following dry flies: Iron X Caddis, Partridge Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, HF Caddis, Bubble Back Caddis, PMD Thorax Duns, Harrop’s Paraspinners in yellow and rusty, Last Chance Cripples, Copenhaver Spinners, CDC Profile Spinners #14-18. For nymphs: Rubberlegs and 101 Stones #8-12, Split Case, Hare/Copper, HP Caddis Pupa, Zebra Midges in assorted colors, and a variety of soft hackles #14-18.
Lots of opportunity out there for anglers seeking a variety of experiences. We are coming into a busy time on the Henry’s Fork with lots of anglers seeking different types of fishing. Head hunting fisher folks may be posted up and not casting, waiting patiently for a target to rise before throwing their flies, if you’re in a boat and on the run, be mindful of others and give them as much space as you’re able. It’s always ok to say hello and ask an angler how best to move around them so as not to negatively affect the water they’re fishing. Remember, the crowds come as a result of great fishing, and there’s usually enough for everyone, especially if we all do our best to exhibit good etiquette.
Have fun out there!
