Big Stones = Big Fish
If you mention the “Henry’s Fork” in any western fly shop you are bound to attract some attention. This month on the Henry’s is my favorite time of year to fish. The stoneflies come out in droves to be devoured by any fish wanting our equivalent of a large T-bone steak (the average stonefly looks like it could carry off a small child).
Being a "fly guy," bugs have never bothered me, but it took me a few times of fishing this hatch to get used to them even landing on me. When the hatch begins it looks like a multitude of B52 bombers flying above your head. It’s a bizarre feeling to catch a brawny trout and feel the stoneflies crawling around in it’s belly before you release it.
My favorite area to fish the Henry’s is around the power dam at Ashton, it turns the water below into a tail water. The water temperature is constant providing a fertile environment for abundant aquatic life. I believe this part of the river is richer than any place else, including Box Canyon. Even though it doesn’t enjoy the protection of special regulations, there are still plenty of large trout.
The snow pack this year was impressive leading to what should prove to be a LONG runoff. Generally the "Stones" begin to emerge toward the end of May. Every year depending upon runoff the hatch times vary with water level and temperature. My advice is to try and hit the hatch at the beginning. The hatch can last a couple of weeks and eventually turn into a artificial hatch for a few day’s, but the fish seem to be much more aggressive at the beginning of the hatch. You can imagine that it doesn’t take many "Stones" to fill up a 16 inch trout so try to be on the water before the hatch kicks off for the day. If anyone is interested we’ll keep you updated on the blog of the runoff’s progress, so you can be there when the action begins.