Henry's Fork River
Upper

All boat launch facilities below Ashton Dam are open. The Stone Bridge-Warm River site above is snowy.

The lower river offers the most consistent and best stream fishing in the area. Midge, BWO, and diminishing March brown hatches are bringing fish up resulting in good top water fishing during low wind days with afternoons being best. Traditional nymph and rubber legs patterns presented at the heads of deep water and through runs are effective and streamer patterns presented under low light conditions attract brown and large post-spawning rainbow trout.

No significant run-off from Fall River to date. Water contributed from Fall River above all irrigation diversions is clear, cold and currently about normal.

Info from Dr. Rob Van Kirks Henrys Fork Drainage SWE Report filed yesterday, April 19th, 2024

Generally dry conditions are expected for the next 56 days, with temperatures near average. I expect snow melt to resume this weekend, although it will not be as rapid as what we saw last weekend. All forecasts are indicating a wet period starting in the middle of next week and continuing through the rest of the month. Temperatures during that time will be near to slightly above average. Natural stream flow decreased by 10% yesterday as the effects of much colder temperatures in headwater areas made their way down to the middle of the watershed, where I calculate natural flow. Yesterdays watershed-total natural flow was 109% of average for the date: 93% in upper Henrys, 102% in Fall River and 156% in Teton River.

The information below reveals that run-off has begun only in the Teton River drainage and is reflected by around or slightly more than normal flows in the lower river down to the Teton River confluence. It also suggests that the next few days will offer the most comfortable times to enjoy trout responding to BWO, March brown, and midge activity.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Details From Dr. Rob Van Kirks SWE Report Filed Yesterday, April 11th, 2024

Snow melt increased natural flow in the Teton River yesterday (120%) while flow in the Fall River 76% 0f normal and 78% of normal in the Henrys fork..These amounts will increase until Monday when cooler atmospheric temperatures will begin to take place for several days.

Senior Scientist

Henrys Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL

Cloudy skies are great for increasing the density of BWO, March Brown, and midge activity. But the stronger the wind the bigger the negative impact on these activities. That wind is happening now on the lower river, making evenings and early AMs the best times to enjoy fish responding to these activities. Improved weather is predicted for later next week, but be aware we are entering the run-off season as warm weather begins to dominate. If you are fishing streamers, the only impact wind has is on casting precision!

Headlines 4/5 From Dr. Rob Van Kirks SWE Report Filed April 5th for the Henrys Fork Drainage

Details

Dry conditions are expected for 710 days starting early next week. That will initiate widespread melt of snow at all but the very highest elevations.

Natural stream flow has increased by over 15% since Sunday due to snow melt. Natural flow was 95% of average yesterday: 90% in upper Henrys Fork, 97% in Fall River, and 104% in Teton River. I expect natural flow to continue to increase through tonight before cooler temperatures slow melt and drop stream flow over the weekend.

Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Henrys Fork Foundation

P.O. Box 550

Ashton, ID 83420

208-881-3407 CELL