Henry's Fork Report - October 10, 2024
Henry’s Fork Streamflows
Island Park Dam: 159 cfs
Ashton Dam: 748 cfs
St. Anthony: 801 cfs
Fall River: 440 cfs
Bright, balmy weather has prevailed this past week, making this one of the fairest Octobers in recent memory. Water conditions are low and weedy, but cold and fishy. This weather has made for some wonderful days on the water, but has also kept the dry fly fishing to a minimum. Conditions look like they'll stay about the same but cold nights will keep anglers on the Henry’s Fork optimistic that this will bring about some of the good fall fishing we’re all waiting for. In the meantime, anglers should expect to fish subsurface for a portion of the day, keep a close eye out for cloud cover, prepare for a beautiful day on the water and not forget their sunblock!
Box Canyon
At these flows the Box is a lot of things not limited to the following: a very bumpy boat ride, a terrific place to spend the day fishing, and wade-able in a manner that it’s not usually. If you’re inclined to go in there with a boat, be prepared to get out and walk your boat through some of the shallow sections, you’ll find some great fishing along the way. If you’re on foot, bring a wading staff and find some holding water with depth, there are good but spotty concentrations of activity throughout the canyon. Dry/dropper and indicator nymph rigs are the primary choices, small flies are the norm, typically representative of midges, baetis, mahoganies and some stoneflies. Flies to have on hand down there are: red, brown and black Zebra Midges #16-20, PTs, Micro Mays, Cocktail Nymphs #16-20, Rubberlegs #8-12. Our perdigon boxes are stocked with: Frenchies, Spanish Bullets, Olive Hot Spots, red Jig Napoleons, Black Daggers and Jake’s SHs #16-20.
Railroad Ranch
The Ranch is one of our favorite places to fish during the month of October in most years. Since this year’s October is the new September and we’ve had such fair weather, activity has been present but minimal down there. There's not much weather shift in the forecast but we remain optimistic and we’re all hoping for a few clouds and cooler weather to bring more sustained hatches of baetis and mahoganies. Until that happens we’ll be left with size 20 pseudos, primarily. Emergers, duns, and spinners. Keep an eye out for small caddis and even terrestrials still to reveal infrequent opportunities. There are trout rising out there, many of them small, so a keeping a keen eye out for the telltale but subtle signs of larger trout is necessary, they can be difficult to discern this time of year, so take your time when watching rise forms.
Canyon Country
The canyons of the Henry’s Fork are beautiful sections to spend the day, fall’s colors are in full effect and with this fair weather anglers equipped with inflatable rafts and rowing skills will be treated to a great day on the water. A close eye on the forecast is necessary, as you won’t want to be stuck in these canyons during inclement weather. Dry/dropper and short leash indicator rigs are the primary choices here, but streamers will play as well. We like stonefly nymphs, fast-sinking perdigons and any one of your favorite streamers as long as it’s a black/olive BFE or a BSA Bouface Leech. Sculpin Snacks, Kreelexes, and the fly known as "Bling" but formerly known as the Sparkle Minnow in Sculpin color are good choices when the sun is on the water as well.
Warm River to Ashton
This remains a good option for anglers with a wide variety of opportunities available. Indicator nymphing will produce the best action, but dry/dropper rigs and streamer rigs will play as well. This is a great time of year to experiment with different streamer lines, sink tips of 10’-25’ are fun to play with and can help your streamers access fish that other lines don’t. Brown trout are on the move and more territorial this time of year than others, bright colors can be a good choice with streamers. Nymph selection should mirror that of the Box Canyon.
Below Ashton Reservoir
Low water makes for a weedy river down there, but the trout are looking for food and there’s some good trout fishing to be had. Most of our action has been sub-surface lately, but cloudy weather will help bring the larger trout to the surface along with more steady hatches of baetis and some mahogany duns, keep an eye out for any overcast in the late mornings and afternoons. Dry/dropper, indicator nymph, and streamer rigs are first choice in the mornings and evenings, dry flies are the hope for the midday hours.
Enjoy it while we still can, good luck out there!!