Rivers

Mar
29

Springtime on the Henry’s Fork

It’s been a long winter. If you have been lucky enough to get out and do some fly-fishing, it probably wasn’t with a dry fly. Your shoulder is sore from casting that streamer rod and heavy sink-tip line. Every now and then, you notice a fish rise to a midge and you start to get excited about the first major insect emergence of the season, the Salmon Fly hatch, on the Henry’s Fork.

It starts to happen sometime in late May when the elk start migrating back to the high country and the bears are waking up from a long winter slumber. Most of the snow is gone by now and the runoff is in full swing in just about every other river in the area. The Henry’s Fork is clearing up but still running high as those big, black nymphs start crawling for the bank. The water temperature is finally at the magical fifty-two degrees. The hatch begins down low in the river system and migrates up river as conditions allow. Some years the hatch moves miles a day and other years it stalls as a cold snap hits. You are reminded how the weather can change so quickly in the greater Yellowstone area.

One thing is for sure, if you have ever hit this hatch just right, it is something you will remember for a long time. You will be casting a dry fly the size of a sparrow as hard as you can against the bank. Big rainbows gorge themselves on the plentiful insects. In our terms this is like being on a veggie diet for six months and now you are faced with a steady supply of cheeseburgers delivered to you on a silver platter. The first time you see the aggressive strike, you set the hook as much out of self-defense as from the guide yelling “take ‘em”!

It seems like every creature in the area is excited about the hatch. The Western Tanager is just a yellow and red streak along the bank as he collects the adult flies drying out in the trees. The seagulls above are the best indication you are in the heart of the hatch as they pick off the adults flying about tree level. Occasionally, you come around the bend and glimpse a black bear along the bank also gorging on the easy meal. Even the bull moose, still in velvet, seems content just to relax in the open meadow.

It is hard to look up from all the excitement on the water. But if you need to give your arm a rest, take a look around. This is what you came here for, isn’t it?

2 Categories : Hatch, Henry's Fork, Idaho, Rivers

Mar
22

Henry’s Fork in Winter

by Matt Berry

I made a trip down to the boat ramp at Hatchery Ford while riding in Island Park. I couldn’t resist backing down the ramp. It won’t be long before we are down there looking for lunkers. I also made a trip along Railroad Ranch. There were some big boys feeding on the surface.

0 Categories : Henry's Fork, Idaho, Photos, Rivers, Snow, Weather, Winter

Mar
7

Why We Fish

by Jay Myers

For most of us, our fishing career began at a young age. The ride to the river or lake was a close second only to the anticipation and sleepless night before going fishing. It usually involved a quick stop at the bait store in the morning to pick up the crickets and worms that would aid in the excitement about to unfold on the water. After listening impatiently to the adults discuss what is working and where they have been ‘gettin’ em’, you raced to the truck ready for a full day of excitement.

For me, it was hucking a cricket, attached to a short rod and closed-face reel, as far as I could and waiting for that subtle movement that indicated a bluegill was inhaling my bait. I entertained myself by chasing the crickets that got loose the last time I dropped the bait box.

Sometimes, I dug in the worm dirt for that one lunker of a nightcrawler we picked up the last time it rained. Some days, that bobber would drop time after time and the five-gallon bucket would fill up quickly. Other days, I had more bait in the bottom of the boat than in the containers.

My father had the patience to take me on these weekend trips and I don’t really remember how many fish I caught or the days when we didn’t catch any. What I recall is the solitude of being on the water, the beauty around me, and the wildlife we sometimes saw creeping through the trees or sharing the water with us.

In the off-season I often think of those simple times and how much fun it was to just go fishing. I have since been able to return the favor to my parents. Now I’m the one tying on their fly and netting their fish. I have also been fortunate to meet and become good friends with many people that have the same love of the outdoors as I do.

Every season I look forward to seeing and spending time on the river with those special people. We catch up on what is happening in our lives. Sometimes, the next generation is brought to fishing camp and I get to enjoy that excited look when they first see the river. That first fish always brings a loud war cry from everybody in the boat as we drift down the river with smiles from ear-to-ear. I have, on occasion, had three generations fish together. I’ve watched the pride trickle down as the youngster starts picking up the routine and needs less and less instruction by days end.

This is a place where the phone doesn’t ring, the remote control is a distant memory, and all other matters disappear. There is only the river, great company, and the anticipation of that next fish rising to the fly. The places we go and the people we meet along the way are one of the many special things about the great sport of fly-fishing. As we introduce the younger generation to our sport, we ensure that the future of our rivers and strong family bonds last a lifetime.

15 Categories : news, Rivers, writing

Feb
17

Protect the Teton River

by Matt Berry

A new poll commissioned by American Rivers, shows that most Idahoans want alternatives to the Teton Dam project. They feel that there are better ways to take advantage of the water we have now for irrigation. The poll also revealed that the most people in the same poll are in favor of the concept of a new dam in the Teton river narrows.

Finding money right now for a project of this scope would be difficult. However, all it would take is another one of the infamous stimulus packages to fund it.

Help fight the project by donating to groups like Trout Unlimited. Together we can protect the Teton river. Read more about the poll at the Rexburg Standard Journal.

0 Categories : Idaho, Rivers, Teton

Jan
20

Photos of Teton River Narrows Before the Dam

by Matt Berry

These photos were sent to us from our friends over at Friends of the Teton River. They were taken by Frank and Craig Head. If you have been in the narrows, you will notice a big difference in the way it now looks. The canyon wall scaring is obviously not there prior to the dam breaking. Also, there a surprising number of trees along the river. A very cool look into the past.

Want to get out on the Teton river and catch some great fish on dry flies? Give us a call for your unique experience on the narrows of the Teton.

1 Categories : Idaho, Photos, Rivers, Teton

Jan
12

Idaho: Fishing for Trout in the True Mecca of Fly Fishing

by Dallin Owens

During this past summer of guiding in Idaho, myself and two other guides needed a break from the area and we decided to drive out to Montana for a few days and go fly fishing for trout on the Madison River. For me it would be a trip to my old stomping grounds. Before guiding at Teton Valley Lodge, I had spent five years guiding in Montana; known in the fly fishing world as the “Mecca of fly fishing.”

Montana was a romantic life-style for me; filled with evening dry fly fishing, bears, great friends and of course large trout.

Montana was a romantic life-style for me; filled with evening dry fly fishing, bears, great friends and of course large trout.
Finally after a 1.5 hour drive, we had arrived to the world re-known Madison River. We decided to visit the local fly shop to buy licenses as well as find out what was going on with the river.

As I chatted with the owner, an old friend of mine, we began talking about the difference between Idaho fly fishing vs Montana. He mentioned to me that he had a client just weeks ago who had been on a a fly fishing trip including both states. He went on to tell me that he had sent this gentleman with one of his best guides to float the Upper Madison. He also mentioned that this certain client carried a fish counter with him, and made sure to “click” every trout landed.

“I have only caught a dozen fish today! While I was in Idaho last week, I caught a total of over 200 fish in three days, all on dry flies!”

During their float, fishing was tough. At lunch, only 12 trout had been landed between two anglers. As the day progressed the fishing got worse and eventually tension was evident between guest and guide. As tension grew, the guest finally threw his hands in the air and said: “I have only caught a dozen fish today! While I was in Idaho last week, I caught a total of over 200 fish in three days, all on dry flies!”

As the owner of the shop was telling me this story he looked to me with disgust and asked me “Can you believe that guy!? Over 200 fish in three days in Idaho?!” I paused before responding to him, trying to calculate how I was going to answer. I responded: “Did by chance this client have a nephew of his with him?” “Yes he did, how did you know that?” he replied. “Was his name (blank) and his nephews name (blank)?” I asked.

As I said the two names, I could see the blood in my friends face rise and then he asked. “Don’t you dare tell me that you guided for those guys!” I smiled, and fired back “I sure did, and I can verify that they caught over 200 fish during there trip in Idaho. They hit the salmon fly hatch perfectly and they had an absolute hay day on dries! I witnessed it myself!”

Embarrassed and upset, he quickly gave us our licenses and all but kicked us out of his shop. During the rest of our fishing trip in Montana, albeit the fishing was good, I felt vindicated and more convinced that Idaho is The True Mecca of Fly Fishing.

0 Categories : Fish, Idaho, Madison River, Montana, Rivers