Ranch
As of this week the brown drakes have made their appearance. If the weather cooperates the evening fishing has been great. As always the hatch also brings large crowds. I always enjoy meeting people from all over the globe. While the things didn’t come together “on time” this year I have been very encouraged by the numbers of trout that I have been seeing so far. Despite all the controversy that always seems to surround this beloved stretch of the Henry’s Fork, I have observed large fish and also am encouraged by the different age classes that are in the river. I would like to tip my hat to Dr. Rob Van Kirk and the entire staff at the Henry’s Fork Foundation for the hard work they all do. Things have come a long way and this organizations efforts often go unappreciated. I think if there is any organization that needs support it’s the foundation. Go to www.henrysfork.org and become a member. The days are starting off with great green drake hatches. If you’re on the water by 10:00 am, and the weather cooperates than you should see the hatch. I would have some #10 last chance cripples and some #10 extended body green drakes. I would also have some hackled spinners in your arsenal. When the brown drakes begin to show up I would have some extended body brown drakes and some captive duns. Once the drake madness starts, I like to try to single out one fish and work on him until I either put him down or catch him or miss him! It’s a good idea to also rest your target and let a feeding rhythm get going.
The days are starting off with great green drake hatches. If you’re on the water by 10:00 am, and the weather cooperates than you should see the hatch. I would have some #10 last chance cripples and some #10 extended body green drakes. I would also have some hackled spinners in your arsenal. When the brown drakes begin to show up I would have some extended body brown drakes and some captive duns. Once the drake madness starts, I like to try to single out one fish and work on him until I either put him down or catch him or miss him! It’s a good idea to also rest your target and let a feeding rhythm get going.
Box Canyon
The box has been very consistent over the last while. You may have noticed that flows have been fluctuating a bit over the last few weeks. Island Park Reservoir is currently at 100% of capacity and due to the higher flows coming into the Henry’s Fork from both the Fall River and the Teton rivers, there has been no irrigation as of yet. This will more than likely change over the next couple of weeks and we will probably see flows increase. I would have #8 and #10 golden stones. I would also have the normal assortment of small beads and of course rubber legs. As you hit the flat water before the take out make sure you have some #10 extended body green drakes and some last chance cripples.
Lower River
The Warm River to Ashton stretch has been fishing very well. Plan on sorting through some white fish and smaller trout but as always you have a great chance of finding a great fish in this stretch. I would have caddis. A #16 tan E-Z Caddis trailed with a #16 caddis emerger is a good idea. #8 Henry’s Fork Foam Golden Stones is a good idea. Look for flavs to start showing up on the lower end of this float soon. As some of the other area rivers start to come into shape, the crowds from Ora Bridge on down should start to dissipate a little. Again I would make sure you had caddis and also some flavs with you. In the evenings I would make sure I had some #10 hackled spinners. The lower river has been a little tough over the last few days as the weather has been unpredictable to say the least. Temps have dropped and consistent rain storms have slowed things just a bit. The forecast for the weekend looks good. Temps are coming back up and it looks like the rain is letting up. We may have some warm overcast days in the very near future.
Madison
The Madison, if you have not heard has salmon flies. Of course to go along with the fabled hatch are the crowds. If you’re planning on hitting the Madison this weekend, plan on a very busy river. Give Mike Lawson’s latest blog a look and remember patience is a virtue. I would have black rubber legs and a handful of Henry’s Fork Foam Stones #08 and #06. You may be able to avoid some of the traffic if you focus on the walk wade sections of the Madison.
Teton
The Teton is still a bit out of sorts but I am guessing another week or so this gem will come into play. It looks like the Teton has peaked and flows have been steadily decreasing.
South Fork
The South Fork continues to run well above normal this summer. Current flows are at 18600 cfs and to be honest I don’t know what will happen next on the South Fork but the river should start fishing great if the flow stays below 18,000 cfs.
Yellowstone
I don’t have much new to report in the park. The Firehole continues to fish well as does the Madison. I would make sure to have plenty of caddis flies and also some soft hackles. I really like the partridge and orange soft hackles in the park this time of the year.
Area Lakes
Henrys Lake has slowed down a little, but the few guys that are catching them are catching some real nice fish. If you’re planning a day on Henry’s Lake, I would make sure to have some damsels nymphs and some #16 hares ear nymphs. As always have a good color selection of leech patterns and I would also have a selection of bead head nymphs. It also sounds like the gulpers on Hebgen are just getting started, weather permitting of course!