The most common questions we hear from anglers planning a trip to the Henry’s Fork area are “What is the best time of year to come?” and “What will the fishing be like then?”
It is difficult to answer the first question because any answer will end up being based on the angler’s own preferences. If your tastes for angling are to use tiny dry flies, then late September is a great time for your visit. If you would like to try casting big grasshoppers, then August is the time to be here.
The second question is a little bit easier to answer and while the fishing can vary according to weather and other factors, we can make reasonable predictions based on over 45 years of experience. The miles of fishable rivers, lakes, and springs provides exceptional fishing through the spring, summer, and fall.
Late May through Early June
Generally, the Salmonfly hatch on the Henry’s Fork starts during the last week in May. The hatch moves up river and is usually over by the end of the first week in June. You will also find Pale Morning Duns and caddis on the slow sections of the Henry’s Fork. PMD’s, Blue Winged Olives and caddis will be prevalent on the Firehole River. The Golden Stoneflies begin to emerge shortly after the Salmonfly hatch, and usually provide several weeks of good fishing opportunity in the Box Canyon and…
Mid June through Early July
Harriman State Park opens June 15th. In late June, Pale Morning Duns, Green Drakes, Brown Drakes, Flavs and caddis can all be found on the water in Harriman Park. The same insects can be found on the slow water sections of the Henry’s Fork near Ashton, along with Gray Drakes. In the Box Canyon, Golden Stoneflies and caddis are on the water. Down on the Fall River, the Salmonfly hatch occurs and there are regular evening caddis hatches. On Henry’s Lake, the Damsel fly hatch is in full swing.…
July
July is one of the best months for variety in our region. On the Henry’s Fork, Pale Morning Duns, Flavs, and caddis can all be found on the water in Harriman State Park. Golden Stones continue to hatch in Box Canyon. On the Madison, PMD’s, Flavs, and caddis are on the water. In Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone River opens and Golden Stones, PMD’s and caddis are the main hatches there. The Lamar River and Slough Creek are other good bets in the Park. On the Gallatin, the Salmonfly…
August
Hopper and terrestrial action picks up on the Henry’s Fork, the Madison, Teton, South Fork and other rivers in the area. Also on the Henry’s Fork, Tricos, Callibaetis, and PMD’s and slow water caddis hatches occur on the water in Harriman Park. Dry fly fishing peaks on Hebgen Lake. Island Park Reservoir typically fishes very well on small leeches. Small streams like Warm River & Robinson Creek are very productive.
September
Pressure really drops off after Labor Day and hatches intensify later in the month. Good Blue Winged Olive and Mahogany Dun hatches can be found in Harriman Park and around the Ashton area. Look for great streamer fishing on Lower Teton for some very large cutthroats and browns. The Firehole River picks up after the weather cools the water. The lake fishing continues to be very good. Browns start their spawning run. Hebgen Lake continues to fish well throughout the month. Island Park Reservoir f…
October
This is the best month for big trout. Browns are aggressive prior to spawning. All of the streams in our operating area produce good fishing throughout October. Blue Winged Olive and Mahogany dun hatches intensify. During this month you’ll also find some of the best dry fly fishing of the year in Harriman Park and the on Henry’s Fork below Ashton. Best period for trophy trout on Island Park Reservoir and Henry’s Lake. Water levels drop making wade fishing easy in the Box Canyon. Our guides…
Off-Season
Traditionally, winter time hasn’t seen a lot of anglers in our area. But local anglers know better. The months of November through April provide varying degrees of fishing opportunities. Overall though, our fisheries are drastically under-pressured at these times, and the fishing can be quite good. The entire length of the South Fork of the Snake is a year-round fishery. The majority of the water on the Henry’s Fork is now open for year-round fishing as well. Fall River features a winter str…