The best start of the season on Henrys Lake in the past 5 years happened this weekend. Trollers did well, bait fishermen not so good and it is a little early for fly fishermen - but it was good enough. Fish and Game report that five fish over 11 pounds were taken in two days that they know of. The fly fishermen released some huge fish, but not the numbers that will happen in about two weeks.
Most of the fish are running between 15 to 18 inches with some of the hybrids as long as 28 inches with a 20 inch girth. This is the season to get some huge fish there.
It is best early in the morning with up to 8 fish per hour. During the middle of the day, that will drop to one fish every two hours after it starts getting hot.
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I'm heading up that way in a few weeks to fish Henry's Fork and thought maybe I would tube the lake. I have never fished the lake. Can you tell me what flies I should be tying, and when I get there, what areas are best for tubing? thanks.
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Trying to predict weather and fishing on Henrys Lake are left to fools and strangers; hopefully I an neither!!!!! But I will try to do my best.
Historically after the snowfly hatch is over, usually June 10th, the fish start keying on damsel nymphs crawling on the bottom of the lake. These are different shades of green and olive. You need a selection of those flies. I tie a variety of these which almost look like leechs, but work extremely well for damsels.
Also the fish feed on scuds, but I have yet to find a really hot fly to be effective immitating them. But when they are keying on this color, size does not mean a lot. My Light Olive Crystal is my best fly when this is happening.
Other excellent flies include the Mity Mouse, California Leech and the Henrys Lake Renegade.
Usually the best places to fish is off the west shore near Staley Springs, County Boat Dock and the Cliffs. I am not a fan of float tubes or pontoon boats in shallow water. I believe to be very successful on Henrys, a boat is needed to get away from others. So if all you have is a float tube - get out to at least 12 feet of water and 15 feet is better. The lake is a very shallow lake with the deepest areas from 18 to 20 feet deep. This means to get to 12 to 13 feet, except for the Cliff areas, one need to get out about 500 to 700 yards.
My best advice is probably for you to tie up a few bugs as mentioned and then check with stores that sell flies around Henrys Lake. They will have the patterns and areas that are best fishing in the last day or two. Most professional fly shops in the area do not carry good lake fly patterns. Filling stations and campgrounds have the best supply.
I hope that this will help you. Tomorrow is my last day of teaching school and I do not have internet access at home, but I will check on all e-mails at least once each week and answer any questions that need to be responded to.
Now I will start fishing in earnest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tight lines.
Bill
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I appreciate the info. It sounds like it should be very helpful. Thanks and good fishing.
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What were the trollers using and how deep were they?
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The successful trollers were using mostly steelies, spoons, Blue Fox lures and Panther Martins. Since it is very shallow - deepest 18 feet - I try to fish from 12 to 14 feet deep.
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