Henry’s Fork of the Snake River Fly Fishing
Posted By seovine on May 26, 2011
Fly Fishing Henry’s Fork in Island Park Idaho is a rewarding experience for even the most seasoned fishermen . With so many areas to fish and types of waterways, fishermen definitely won’t go unchallenged.
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Henry’s Fork is a fork of the Snake River , beginning at Henry’s Lake in Island Park. The area downstream from Henry’s Lake the outlet, is unopen to fishing, because it is spawning ground. Henry’s Fork meets up with the headwaters of the Snake River near Big Springs, 5 miles west of Hwy 20 on South Big Springs Loop Rd. Upriver from where the outlet meets the waters of Big Springs is closed as well. It’s easy to see the potential for landing trophy trout if you pay a visit to the bridge at Johnny Sack Cabin at Big Springs. Moster-sized trout love to show off near the bridge, safely mocking anglers from this protected stretch.
Fishing is allowed downstream from the point where the outlet meets Big Springs, the area known as “The Bathtub”. Decent fishing can be had in the deeper water and around the boulders at this point. Downriver from The Bathtub becomes quite shallow, and busy in summer with vacationers floating the river on tubes or canoes, but is also a popular section to fish, especially for vacationers staying in the Macks Inn area of Island Park. The bridge over Henry’s Fork at Hwy 20 is a fun place to take little kids to fish, and right by is an ice cream shop to pacify the children if they don’t happen to catch anything! The fish caught in this area are usually delicious, pan-sized trout.
The section from Macks Inn to Island Park Reservoir has some good fly fishing below the bridge and also after Coffe Pot Rapids. There is parking for anglers at the Coffe Pot Campground, where a nice fishing trail begins and follows along the Henry’s Fork. Once the river enters Island Park Reservoir, fishing becomes even more unpredictable. astonishingly huge trophy fish have been caught in the reservoir, but patience is emphatically the key here. Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Cutthrout Trout and Hybrid Trout can be caught at the reservoir.
Below the reservoir on Henry’s Fork is a very nicely maintained boat launch for with plenty of parking and “rest facilities”. This is where the serious fishing begins. This whole section of river, from below the dam to below Harriman State Park, is catch and release. The beginning part through Box Canyon is quicker water. As the summer progresses and the water levels lower, rocks and downed logs begin to appear. Most anglers use a small fishing canoe or float tubes here. Further on down the river , the waters calm and the river widens. Fishing is trickier here, but this is the area where the biggest action on the river is.
When visiting Island Park Idaho or Yellowstone, take the time to try your skills on the incredible waters of Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Autumn is the favorite time for anglers as the fish are feeding and the crowds are gone. If you are new to the area, there are plenty of local Island Park fishing guides to help you land that trophy fish. It will be well worth it! See ya on the river!
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