Fishing Information

Fishing The Henrys Fork - Box Canyon


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


MORE RESOURCES:

Minnesota Ice Fishing Shanty Rentals that Won't Leave You Cold
Yahoo! Sports
Contributor Network 9 hours, 28 minutes ago Headed to Minnesota for an ice fishing excursion and wondering where you can rent a lake-front cabin and an ice shanty? Well, I have you covered. Looking for copious amounts of perch?

and more »


Homosassa Fishing Report 2/6/12
The Ledger (blog)
I began in waist deep water while wade fishing with Mark Nichols and Jerry McBride of DOA lures. We casted a variety of their artificial baits. They caught a ton of fish and I caught about a half ton using the DOA three inch shrimp and CAL tails near ...
Mother Nature forgot it's wintertime, so let's go fishingTCPalm

all 2 news articles »


PennLive.com

Reporter's Notebook: A fish out of water
Carlisle Sentinel
So, as I walked around and around tables full of hunting and fishing gear at the Outdoor Show, I felt (no pun intended) like a fish out of water. With the bright blue jacket I was wearing, I probably even looked like one, too. Luckily, a nice man named ...
Show organizer says visitors demand a purchasing option at the Eastern Sports ...Patriot-News (blog)
Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show a nine-day extravaganzaThe Tribune-Democrat
Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show Begins at HarrisburgDaily Local News

all 91 news articles »


Extended fishing report for Feb. 6
Santa Rosa Press Democrat (blog)
Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is (707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of ...
WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Ice fishing, Dog in trap, vehicles through the iceGrand Forks Herald
MN DNR Weekly ReportDuluth News Tribune

all 3 news articles »


Very good ice fishing in northeast Washington
The Seattle Times
Those who enjoy ice fishing and like to catch quality trout should consider a couple of lakes in Okanogan County. One is very much overlooked, and I suppose the reason is that it is a winter lake, that is it is managed to open in the late fall and ...
Rainbow trout coming to Lake MendocinoSanta Rosa Press Democrat

all 3 news articles »


Peru's giant jungle fish hooks conscientious gourmets
Reuters
(Updates, adds quote) By Caroline Stauffer LIMA Feb 6 (Reuters) - Move over Chilean sea bass, Peruvians are raising a giant Amazon fish and sending it abroad to answer growing cries for sustainable seafood in haute cuisine. Farm-raised, fresh-water ...

and more »


WDFW Commission Adopts New Sport Fishing Rules
Newstalk 1450 KBKW
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a variety of new sportfishing rules and increased the number of multiple-season hunting permits for deer and elk issued each year during a public meeting here Feb. 3-4. Close fishing early for ...
Washington releases flurry of stuff on fishing, hunting rulesThe Spokesman Review (blog)
Early winter steelhead closure a permanent rule beginning next season, and ...The Seattle Times

all 5 news articles »


Fish buyers to feel the pinch
Times of India
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the lean season in the fishing industry sets in, fish-eaters in the city have begun feeling the pinch. Price of almost every fish variety available in the market is on the rise. According to officials of the Matsyafed here, ...

and more »


Library Card Can Get You Free Passes to Go Fish Education Center
Patch.com
By Deanna Allen Find out what you can expect when visiting the Go Fish Education Center. Screen Shot Beginning Feb. 10, a valid local library card can get you and your family free access to the the Go Fish Education Center in Perry.

and more »


AP Interview: Maine fishing chief aims for growth
CBS News
(AP) HALLOWELL, Maine — Maine's new top fisheries official is vowing to grow the economic value of the state's oldest industry, commercial fishing, and the coastal communities that rely on the ocean. The value of the state's seafood harvest ranges ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006