Henry's Fork - Island Park - Idaho
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions

Henry’s Fork – Island Park - Water Flow Chart

Henry’s Fork – Island Park - Weather report & radar

Henry’s Fork – Island Park - General hatch chart

Month Hatch Time of Day Recommended Fly Sizes Popular Fly Patterns
January Midge Afternoon 18-22 Zebra Midge, Black Beauty
Winter Stoneflies Late Afternoon 18-22 Black Stonefly Nymph
February Midge Afternoon 18-22 Zebra Midge, Black Beauty
Winter Stoneflies Late Afternoon 16-20 Black Stonefly Nymph
March Baetis Morning 14-22 Blue Winged Olive
Skwala Stonefly Afternoon 6-14 Stimulator, Chernobyl Ant
April Midge Afternoon 18-22 Zebra Midge, Black Beauty
Baetis Morning 18-22 Blue Winged Olive, Parachute Adams
March Browns Afternoon 16-20 March Brown Spider, March Brown Emerger
May Caddis Evening 14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger
March Browns Afternoon 14-18 March Brown Spider, March Brown Emerger
Green Drakes Late Afternoon 10-12 Green Drake Parachute, Green Drake Cripple
Salmonfly All Day 4-6 Chubby Chernobyl, Rubberleg Stone
June Green Drakes Late Afternoon 10-14 Green Drake Parachute, Green Drake Cripple
Pale Morning Duns Afternoon 16-20 PMD Sparkle Dun, Rusty Spinner
July Pale Morning Duns Afternoon 16-20 PMD Sparkle Dun, Rusty Spinner
Yellow Sally Afternoon 14-18 Yellow Humpy, Yellow Sally Stonefly Dry
Caddis Evening 14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger
August Pale Morning Duns Morning 16-20 PMD Sparkle Dun, Rusty Spinner
Tricos Morning 20-24 Trico Spinner, Trico Parachute
Caddis Evening 14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger
September Pale Morning Duns Morning 16-20 PMD Sparkle Dun, Rusty Spinner
Tricos Morning 20-24 Trico Spinner, Trico Parachute
Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-22 Blue Winged Olive, Parachute Adams
October Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 18-22 Blue Winged Olive, Parachute Adams
Midges Afternoon 18-22 Zebra Midge, Black Beauty
November Blue Winged Olives Afternoon 20-24 Blue Winged Olive, Parachute Adams
Midges Afternoon 18-22 Zebra Midge, Black Beauty
December Midge Afternoon 18-22 Zebra Midge, Black Beauty
Winter Stoneflies Late Afternoon 16-20 Black Stonefly Nymph

Henry’s Fork – Island Park Access Points

Known for its abundant trout, the Henry’s Fork – Island Park has several top-rated fly-fishing points you shouldn’t miss:

  • Riverside Campground: The campground provides easy-to-reach fishing points and calm waters.
  • Harriman State Park: Noted for its large ranch resident trout, the park offers several river accesses, a favorite among fly fishers.
  • Box Canyon: This deep canyon stretch houses a large population of rainbow trout. Boating access is available.

If you’re open for an adventure, you can explore other access points:

  1. Wood Road #16 Bridge: This is a famous wading section with a higher degree of difficulty, but promises the chance of catching larger fish.
  2. Last Chance: This section of the river is a challenging wade fishing area with rewarding opportunities, including a variety of hatches to entice trout.

Henry’s Fork – Island Park Fishing Spots

Fly fishing enthusiasts in Henry’s Fork – Island Park can revel in numerous prime fishing spots. This area is known for its exceptional fishing amid breathtaking sceneries in Idaho’s Rocky Mountains region.

Best Fly Fishing Spots:

  • Box Canyon: This is a top spot famous for offering excellent rainbow trout fishing in its fast-moving waters. It provides a fun and challenging experience to anglers.
  • Railroad Ranch: Situated between Big Springs and Riverside Campground, its slow-moving waters are rich in brown and rainbow trout.
  • Island Park Reservoir: It offers prolific fly fishing, even during winter. Apart from trout, you may have the chance to catch kokanee salmon.
  • Buffalo River: Feeding into the Henry’s Fork, it is ideal for fly fishing for brook and cutthroat trout.

Each spot offering its own unique fly fishing experience, variety, and rewards.

Henry’s Fork – Island Park Local Fish Species

  • Brown Trout: Known for their aggressive fighting nature and exquisite beauty, the brown trout is a prized catch for fly fishermen in Henry’s Fork.
  • Rainbow Trout: With their vibrant colorings and high leap, the rainbow trout is a favorite amongst fly fishermen.
  • Mountain Whitefish: Although not as colorful as trout, the mountain whitefish is a common catch in the Henry’s Fork.
  • Cutthroat Trout: Idaho’s designated state fish, the Cutthroat Trout, can also be found in Henry’s Fork, especially in the waters around Island Park.
  • Brook Trout: These smaller fish provide an enjoyable challenge to fly fishermen due to their elusive nature.
  • Bull Trout: While less common in Henry’s Fork, the Bull Trout can still be seen in certain parts of the river, and catching one is considered a rare achievement.
  • Pacific Salmon: Fly fishermen targeting these fish can have good success during their migratory runs.
  • Sockeye Salmon: Known for their endurance and fight, sockeye salmon provide a unique adventure for fly fishermen.

About the Henry’s Fork – Island Park

The Henry’s Fork is one of Idaho’s most stunning natural locations. Notably celebrated for its Island Park, this section of the Snake River has a rich history that adds to its charm.

The area was initially adopted as a summer grazing area by pioneers, who named it Henry’s Lake after Andrew Henry, a fur trapper. However, it was the introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century which solidified Island Park’s significance.

Then, due to a loophole in the law stipulating that no townsite could be larger than a square mile, Island Park took its iconic elongated shape by stretching some 33 miles long but less than a mile wide.

In modern times, Henry’s Fork – Island Park has become a beloved destination for fishing, camping, and more, with its

  • rich wildlife,
  • lush vegetation,
  • and stunning waterways.

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