Fishing The Henrys Fork
It is easy to get intimidated by world class rivers.
I guess the Henry's Fork was a little intimidating to me.
With the old rule of thumb being that "eighty percent of the fish are caught by twenty percent of the fishermen", I was pretty much convinced that at least for this trip I might fall into the "eighty percent" of fishless fellas category.
Nonetheless-- being the supreme optimist that I am-- I was up at 4:30 a.m. and heading upstream to Box Canyon. This is a stretch below Island Lake Reservoir, that is classic "tailwater" and a good place to fish with nymphs.
Now for those of you not familiar with the term "nymph fishing", I don't want you to race to the Henry's Fork with your Armani waders and Italian leather fishing vests--because you might be a tad disappointed to find mainly a bunch of fish crazed males when you get there. Nymph fishing is the term used for the stage of life, when an aquatic bug is residing beneath the surface of water, usually on the bottom.
If that gets you excited--then you have potential to be a fly fisherman. But leave the Gucci duds at home!!
I followed my map to the place where the guide shop had directed me, and took a short hike to the river. Water looked good, but I always get a little suspicious when I am not competing for fishing space with other fishermen. Especially on an easy access spot on a world famous river!!
My suspicions were justified, as I ran the leech/bead head combo through several riffles and pools and came away with bupkiss. I fished for an hour and decided to move downstream to Box Canyon campground.
I still hadn't seen another fisherman out on the water and it was about 8 o'clock by now. I walked downstream from the campground for about 3/4 mile and never saw another soul.Unless you count the two rather angry Ospreys that were giving me an earful as I stood below their nest. They, of course, had some luck that morning and were chowing down on something. The water was moving through the canyon here at a pretty good volume and I had to look hard for a spot to fish.
I finally found some water that looked good and fished a tiny pocket where I got a hit right away. I casted again to the same spot and....... seven monsterous inches later I had my first Henry's Fork trout.Hey, a fish is a fish, and at the current "fish story" growth ratio of 1 inch every 3 months-in two years he would become a 15 incher!!
That was it though, another hour went by and no more strikes or fish.
It was starting to warm up by now and I headed back to my truck--stopping to antagonize the Osprey--who were now also laughing at me --due to my lack of fish catching ability.
I considered painting my head white,climbing up the snag to the Osprey nest and stealing their fish-- but lacking some of the other attributes of the Bald Eagle--like wings and beak-- I opted to just slink out of the forest and let the Osprey gloat.
Bastards.
Oh well, that evening would be a different!!
to be continued.....
A.J. Klott
Author, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.
If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com
Latest News
GAO: Dolphins, whales lack protection from fishing The Associated Press - ... by law to more than a dozen marine mammals potentially at risk of death or injury due to commercial fishing, congressional investigators said Wednesday. ... |
Illegal fishing charged; tons of rockfish seized Baltimore Sun, United States - It was the second time in less than a week that officers had charged Jack C. Colbourne, owner of Colbourne Seafood Inc. in Secretary, with illegal fishing. ... Police board fishing vessel; three men cited Maryland Today |
DNR: Ice-fishing conditions continue to improve MLive.com, MI - Detroit River: Boat anglers are launching at Metro Park and heading up to Gibraltar and fishing for perch in the canals. Most of the fish are not big, ... Anglers enjoy a fine ice fishing weekend Wegman to host ice fishing seminar Anglers encouraged to stay safe on the ice |
Teenage girl, a rarity aboard fishing boats, lands giant yellowfin ... Los Angeles Times, CA - That's because women are a rarity and girls are essentially nonexistent aboard San Diego long-range fishing boats, which spend up to 18 days at sea. ... |
 MLive.com | Fishing away through the holidays MLive.com, MI - "We were fishing for steelhead earlier today in the Paw Paw River, but they weren't biting," said Smith, a 31-year-old angler from Parchment. ... |
Ice fishing traditions passed on Fort Mills Times, SC - "This is his first time ice fishing," Brian said between drilling holes through the lake's ice. The younger Teskey is starting ice fishing at about the same ... |
Ultimate Fishing Show Returns WXYZ, MI - (WXYZ) - The Ultimate Fishing Show returns to the Detroit area Thursday, January 8 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. ... Michigan's Ultimate Fishing Show starts Thursday |
Fishing report for Thursday, Jan. 8 Alameda Times-Star, CA - Fishing is good for anyone using Power Bait, nightcrawlers and Rapalas. Chartreuse is the magic color. (209) 274-4739 CAMANCHE: Water releases from Lake ... |
 AlaskaReport | Search suspended for lost fishing boat crewman Fort Mills Times, SC - JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing crew member of a fishing boat. The search was suspended Wednesday for 43-year-old ... Coast Guard crew seeks missing fisherman Coast Guard searching for lost crab fisherman Crab fisherman missing in Bering Strait |
 Bay Area Indymedia | Hundreds remember BART shooting victim with joy and tears San Francisco Chronicle, USA - Eugene Carter, a church deacon, recalled a fishing trip in Tracy in which Grant carried a bucket. Carter wondered what was inside and came face to face with ... 1000 people mourn man who was shot and killed by BART officer |
Resources
-
largemouth bass Fishing tips Extreme, guide, lures, expert bass Fishing
techniques
largemouth bass Fishing tips, guide, lures, expert bass Fishing advice for the avid bass angler and the novice angler alike.
-
► Trout Fishing Secrets
Trout Fishing Secrets Revealed - How to Catch A Trout Everytime: When Spinner Fishing Your Favorite Stream Or River!
-
used boat sales and listings on BoatLister.com - Fishing power and sail
Buy and sell boats, kayaks, canoes, PWC, marine engines and parts, small boat motors, boat parts, used sails and other marine items. List your used Fishing, power, sail boats for sale on BoatLister.com.
-
Ice Fishing Secrets - Ice Fishing Equipment Recommendations and Ice Fishing House Suggestions
Affiliates Make 40% selling this great Ice Fishing Book! Earn 40% people download it and pay.
-
Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Tips, Fly Fishing Techniques and How To Fly Fish
Fly Fishing information from original fly Fishing masters.
-
Fishing Bait Formulas Revealed - Catch More Fish
Secret Fishing Bait Formulas Revealed - Catch More Trout, Catfish, & Carp - Guaranteed
-
Bass Fishing Secrets.
Catch more and bigger bass immediately. We Guarantee it!
-
Make Fishing Lures
Learn how to make every type of fresh and salt water Fishing lure including: spinners, plugs, spin bugs, salt water plugs, spoons, jigs, metal squids, eel and eelskins lures, sinkers.
-
Trout Fishing Basics
eBook for beginners.
-
index
Instructional ebook on how to make your own wooden top water bass Fishing lures.