Category: Freshwater, Idaho, Industry News, Montana, Trout, What's New

Check out a recent post we found on the Henry’s Fork Anglers’ blog written by Henry’s Fork guide and Yellow Dog’s own John Hudgens. During the spring and summer months, John has been guiding in Idaho and Montana for the past 15 years, and is very knowledgeable about the American West fisheries. In the off season, John settles back into the Yellow Dog office as our South American program director where he has fished and guided extensively in the past. The article below discusses the numerous fishing possibilities for spring fishing, and the incredible amount of diversity that is presented with insect hatches and fishing options in Southwest Montana and Idaho. If you are interested in learning more about spring fishing in our area, give us a call anytime to talk options in Montana, Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. You can also visit www.yellowdogflyfishing.com for more information on the lodge’s and guides we work with in the American West.

Spring Fishing on the Henry’s Fork

A prolific caddis hatch fills the sky on the Henry's Fork. photo courtesy of Henry's Fork Anglers

By HFA guide John Hudgens

It’s never too early to start thinking about going fishing! Late March through mid May is one of the best times to fish any western trout stream, especially the Henry’s Fork. Pre-runoff on the Henry’s Fork offers under utilized, world class dry fly fishing with abundant hatches of midges, caddis, and mayflies. These are some of the first hatches of the season, and after a long dormant winter, the fish are eager to feed. Between ice out and runoff, and before the summer crowds arrive, there is a six week window during which I look forward to fishing for large, rising trout without seeing another angler. This spring, I will be guiding some of the best kept secrets of the lower Henry’s Fork.

Photo courtesy of Henry's Fork Anglers

The spring brings on unique angling situations made especially interesting by changing weather conditions on a tail water river. One day you may find yourself fishing a prolific Baetis or March Brown hatch through a snow shower, only to find yourself sight fishing to large brown trout in the warm sunshine the following day. Cool, cloudy days produce prolific mayfly hatches and large pods of rising fish. On warmer days, Mother’s Day Caddis may appear in hordes, and one may spot numerous fish rising along the banks. During this time, an early start is not necessary. The water temperature is cool enough that the insects begin to hatch late in the morning and carry on through the afternoon. However, one may use a nymph or streamer early in the day with the possibility of catching some exceptionally large trout.

The Henry’s Fork offers seven diverse sections of water which are open to fishing and floating during the spring months. Feature ranges from riffle water to slow, beautiful dry fly flats, as well as unique, spring creek like channels packed with fish. As well, the South Fork of the Snake has over 60 miles of productive water. Here you can expect to fish to native cutthroats, browns, and rainbows using a drift boat to access various gravel bars and other choice wade-fishing spots. In addition to fishing the Henry’s Fork and the South Fork of the Snake, you also have the option to fish Montana’s legendary Madison River. We all appreciate casting to rising fish without dealing with crowds.

About the Author: Jim Klug

Founder and Director of Operations for Yellow Dog Flyfishing, L.L.C., Jim has worked in the fly fishing industry as a guide, sales rep, travel coordinator, and as National Sales Manager for Scientific Anglers. He has guided extensively in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon, and has fished throughout the world. Jim spends a lot of time in the Caribbean, South America, and Alaska, working with our network of lodges and guides. Jim is the primary copywriter and photographer for the Yellow Dog catalogs and website as well as the Executive Producer for Confluence Films (the makers of DRIFT and RISE).