Henry's Fork Regional Tributaries

The Buffalo River
The Warm River
Robinson Creek
The Buffalo River

The Henry’s Fork region is home to countless miles of under fished and sometimes unknown creeks and streams. Finding these hidden gems can be challenging…however the reward is always worth the investment. Often these winding streams and creeks provide solitude, gorgeous scenery, and excellent fishing. For the exploring angler, the possibilities are endless. Henry's Fork Anglers would like to introduce you to the four main Henry’s Fork tributaries to get you started. Each of these streams has tributaries of its own which all contain fish. We recommend carrying plenty of water, food, a GPS unit, compass, and a few basic emergency supplies on your adventures. Please don’t hesitate to stop by or give us a call if you need help finding your way to these unique and beautiful angling opportunities.

- The Buffalo River -

The Buffalo River is a small spring creek that is entirely contained within the Island Park Caldera. Its headwaters begin toward the east rim of the Caldera and it rapidly increases in size as it gathers water from many springs & small creek tributaries. It flows generally westward until its confluence with the Henry's Fork just downstream from Island Park Dam. The Buffalo River and its tributaries contain mainly small Brook Trout with a few Rainbows mixed in.

Access to the Buffalo can be had at the Highway 20 crossing and also from within the Buffalo River Campground. At the campground, there are two free parking areas where fishermen can access the river. We recommend fishing upstream from the upper access or downstream from the lower access (to avoid the inner tubes). Elk Creek joins the Buffalo River at the upper campground access. Elk Creek itself also provides some productive dry fly fishing. Access is also possible from a couple different forest roads that approach the upper Buffalo River.

Recommended flies are #14-16 Adams, Royal Wulff, Elk Hair Caddis, beadhead Prince Nymph, and beadhead Hare's Ear.

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- The Warm River -

Warm River is a medium-sized river, which originates as a tiny trickle at the Island Park Boy Scout Camp on the east side of the Island Park Caldera. It roughly parallels the Henry's Fork for its entire length as it meanders southward and increases in size along the top of the Caldera, and then picks up speed as it plunges over the Caldera rim. During its descent off the Caldera, it turns further westward until it joins the Henry's Fork just upstream from the Warm River Henry's Fork Access. In total, the Warm River provides around 25 miles of fishable water.

In character, the Warm is three rivers in one: a tiny meandering Brookie creek in its upper reaches, a medium-sized spring creek below, and finally a tumbling freestone river. A dramatic change in size occurs as a huge free-flowing spring gushes into the river at an old fish hatchery site. This site can be reached from the Mesa Fall Scenic Byway (Highway 47), by turning east at a sign marked "Warm River Spring". The spring is about six miles east of Highway 47. At least two other dirt roads approach the upper Warm River from Highway 47. The tumbling canyon section can be accessed by walking or biking on an old railroad bed upstream from Bear Gulch parking area on Highway 47.

A day on Warm River provides a very real opportunity to net an east Idaho grand slam: Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Cutthroat Trout, and Mountain Whitefish. The fly selection for Warm River varies greatly depending on where you fish. The same selection of flies recommended for Fall River will cover any situation you might encounter. On the spring creek portions of the river, a stealthy approach will net you more and bigger fish.

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- Robinson Creek -

Robinson Creek is another place where anglers can catch all four species of eastern Idaho wild trout along with Mountain Whitefish (in a single day!). In many areas, Brook & Brown trout live side by side. Unlike Warm River, Robinson Creek maintains an uncanny consistency for water character along most of its length. It's a small freestone creek that features frequent and fairly regular log jams and deep pools, just to keep things interesting. The Robinson Creek Canyon itself is an impressive geological feature, which becomes deeper and steeper-sided the further downstream you get. Like the Fall River, Robinson Creek originates in Yellowstone Park. Unlike the Fall River, Robinson Creek is contained entirely in Idaho. On upper Robinson Creek in Yellowstone Park, this is an interesting fact considering that Yellowstone Park only overlaps into Idaho for a few miles as a very narrow strip.

Access to Robinson Creek is quite a challenge along its entire length. But the solitude and good fishing are excellent rewards for the effort. The only bridge across Robinson Creek is on private property, and in recent years it has been heavily posted with "No Trespassing" signs. There is now only one access where one can drive to the creek and fish. Take Cave Falls Highway east for several miles, turn north at the sign for Rock Creek Girls' Camp, and continue north on the main road until it dead-ends at the creek. The last hundred yards of the road requires high clearance, so it is highly recommended to park your vehicle before reaching the creek and walk from there. Upstream from the girls' camp access, the creek is contained entirely inside Targhee National Forest and Yellowstone Park. The only access to that water is on foot and largely off-trail. A Targhee Forest map can be helpful in locating old forest roads that approach the creek. Downstream from the Targhee Forest boundary, the creek enters private land where it remains for the rest of its length. Robinson Creek ends at its confluence with Warm River, just a couple hundred yards upstream from the Warm River/Henry's Fork confluence.

The average fish in Robinson Creek is fat and 8 to 10 inches long. It can be very productive with dry flies alone. Standard & attractor dry flies and terrestrials are all you need for excellent fishing. For larger fish (but slower action), try probing the deeper pools and log jams with nymphs and streamers. Try to approach closely, stay hidden, and work a short line or you'll lose a lot of flies.

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- The Fall River -

Fall River is a spectacular, classic freestone river, and also the largest tributary to the Henry's Fork. It features about 50 miles of fishable water, containing excellent fishing for Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Mountain Whitefish. Originally named "Falls River", it was renamed many years ago to Fall River, although many maps and individuals persist in labeling it with the original name.

Fortunately for the adventurous angler, the overshadowing prominence of the Henry's Fork has left Fall River relatively under-fished in many of its reaches. But unfortunately, that same prominence has left the Fall River undermanaged and subject to many negative forces such as poaching, illegal guiding, and dewatering. In spite of those forces, the Fall River has proven a resilient fishery and provides excellent dry-fly, nymph, and streamer fishing over 10 months of the year. The average fish is in the 10-12 inch range, but larger fish are common, particularly on the lower river. Fish in the 15-20 inch range are not uncommon, and occasionally fish over 20 inches are caught.

The headwaters of the Fall River form in the "Cascade Corner" of Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. Upper Fall River is a primitive place where the river tumbles over several large waterfalls on its descent from the west slope of Yellowstone Park. The headwaters can be reached by hiking trails north off the Ashton Flagg-Ranch Road (aka Reclamation Road), from the Bechler Ranger station, or from the Cave Falls parking area. Upper river tributaries such as Mountain Ash Creek and the Bechler River are excellent destinations by themselves.

Outside Wyoming and Yellowstone Park, the river enters Targhee National Forest in Idaho. Access to this section is possible but difficult. A primitive Jeep trail approaches the river from the Cave Falls Highway, at the impressive Sheep Falls. Besides that access, a Targhee Forest map is indispensible in locating closed forest roads for hiking or biking to the Targhee Forest stretch of the Fall River.

Downstream from Targhee Forest, the river flows through farm ground and other private property before its confluence with the Henry's Fork at Chester Backwaters. This section provides some very productive fishing, but must be accessed almost exclusively at bridges.

For recommendations on flies, tackle, and accesses, stop by the Henry's Fork Anglers fly shop in Island Park, Idaho.

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