Last Chance to Ashton, Idaho

Best Flies For Henry's Fork

Updated Apr 24, 2026, 8:03 AM MDT

Keep the first part of the day tight and technical with midges and baetis, then look for better afternoon surface feeding if the light stays soft.

Current Conditions
  • Flow: Tailwater influence keeps some reaches stable, but different sections of the Fork fish very differently on the same day.
  • Water Temperature: Spring temperatures usually build slow, which puts the most consistent feeding window from late morning into the afternoon.
  • Weather: Flat light and cloud cover make the best BWO days. Bright sun narrows the surface window.
  • Overall Rating: 7/10
Today's Read

Henry's Fork is fishing around blue-winged olives and midges. Start with the patterns below and adjust only after fish show you something different.

Best Flies Right Now
  • CDC BWO Emerger, size 18-20, emerger
  • RS2 gray, size 20-22, emerger
  • Zebra Midge, size 20-22, nymph
  • Pheasant Tail thin, size 18-20, nymph
  • BWO Sparkle Dun, size 18-20, dry
What They Match
  • Blue-winged olives, size 18-20, midday through afternoon
  • Midges, size 20-24, morning and calm periods
  • Caddis prep and pupa activity, size 14-16, late afternoon in lower reaches
How To Fish These Flies
  • Match the section to the day. Lower, more technical water rewards stealth; faster ranch and canyon water can tolerate a little more movement.
  • Fish small nymphs or emergers under a dry in soft seams before you commit to a pure dry-fly setup.
  • Once heads show, lengthen the leader, pick one fish, and avoid false casts over the lane.