Idaho ·
Henry's Fork Fly Fishing Report - January 1/18/2026
HENRY'S FORK FLY FISHING REPORT
Upper Snake — Henry's Fork, ID
Report Date: January 18, 2026 | Next Update: January 25, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter fishing is on: flows are being held low to protect fish in the Box Canyon reach and vary by section. Water is clear, fish are keyed to small midges and subsurface offerings. Dress for cold, expect morning ice and thin cover.
Flows & Releases
Winter targets & dam operations are in effect — typical winter releases target the Box Canyon minimum (often near 300–450 cfs at Island Park in lean years) though flows below Island Park and through the lower forks can run higher depending on downstream needs. Check local boat ramps and dam pages before launch.
Winter targets & dam operations are in effect — typical winter releases target the Box Canyon minimum (often near 300–450 cfs at Island Park in lean years) though flows below Island Park and through the lower forks can run higher depending on downstream needs. Check local boat ramps and dam pages before launch.
Water Temperature
Typical for this date: upper 30s to low 40s °F. Fish are cold-water slow; short, subtle presentations win.
Typical for this date: upper 30s to low 40s °F. Fish are cold-water slow; short, subtle presentations win.
Weather
Expect cold mornings with sun into the afternoon. Wind can pick up mid-day — plan for calm windows from mid-morning to early afternoon.
Expect cold mornings with sun into the afternoon. Wind can pick up mid-day — plan for calm windows from mid-morning to early afternoon.
Access & Safety
Roads and ramps: generally open but watch for patchy black ice. Winter wading and boating demand an abundance of caution; always wear a PFD and keep waders layered.
Roads and ramps: generally open but watch for patchy black ice. Winter wading and boating demand an abundance of caution; always wear a PFD and keep waders layered.
What the Fish Are Doing
On a Henry's Fork January day the main action comes from subsurface feeding — midges, small baetis, and scuds. Tailwater fish will take small tungsten nymphs and jig patterns all day. If the sun warms slow seams you may get sporadic baetis or midge emergences; those moments reward a patient angler with a well-presented emerger or micro dry.
Winter Hatch & Activity Snapshot
| Insect | Where/How | Activity | Prime Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (Chironomids) | Throughout slow flats and edges — subsurface and emergers | High | All day, best when sun hits flats |
| Blue-winged Olives / Baetis | Tailouts and seams; small emergers and duns | Occasional | Late morning – early afternoon on warmer days |
| Scuds / Aquatic Worms | Deep tails, runs, and drop-offs | Moderate | Best subsurface throughout day |
| Stoneflies / Salmonflies | Not active — spring/summer insects only | None | — |
Tactics & Presentation
- Primary game is nymphing and small emerger/dry work when the sun brings fish up. Start with euro/indicator rigs in runs and seams; think tight lines and weight to get flies to the fish. Use full-length fluorocarbon or lighter taper leaders with 4–8 lb fluorocarbon tippet for small flies.
- Midge strategy: ultra-small TBH or thin jig zebra midge on a short, stiff leader or dropper below an indicator. Keep the nymph just off the bottom where fish will be holding.
- Streamer windows: slow strip larger sculpin/juvenile baitfish patterns through structure and deep runs when fish are holding in current tails.
- Midge strategy: ultra-small TBH or thin jig zebra midge on a short, stiff leader or dropper below an indicator. Keep the nymph just off the bottom where fish will be holding.
- Streamer windows: slow strip larger sculpin/juvenile baitfish patterns through structure and deep runs when fish are holding in current tails.
Recommended Flies — winter Henry's Fork
Below are patterns matched to the flies known to perform on the Fork this time of year. Links go to proven tied patterns you can order before you head out. Aim to build a small, focused box with a mix of the items below.
Nymphs & Jigs (Go-to subsurface options)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig – Olive — perfect as a point fly on jig rigs and euro setups (compact, fish-attracting profile).
- Tungsten Dart – Red — an aggressive little tungsten dart for getting down fast in seams and runs.
- Pheasant Tail – Tungsten — the go-to mayfly-nymph silhouette for opportunistic trout.
- Tungsten Split Case Nymph – PMD — great for shallow-tail and baetis-type feeding lanes.
Midges & Emergers (small-dry and thin-nymph choices)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — essential winter midge, indicator or dropper friendly.
- Top Secret Midge — tiny, realistic emerger/profile for pressured fish.
- No Mercy Para Midge – Black — a micro dry/para-style midge that rides perfectly in the film.
- Tungsten Zebra Midge – Thin Black — weighted option for deeper, indicator-style presentations.
Drys & Suspect Emergers (when fish rise)
- Parachute – Blue Wing Olive (BWO) — small parachute for the occasional baetis window.
- Stealth Link Mercer – PMD — excellent emerger/dry when PMDs show up on brighter afternoons.
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) – Tan — a soft, visible CDC caddis for picky rises at film level.
- Antonio's Adult BWO — small adult baetis pattern to match occasional dun activity.
Streamers & Baitfish Imitations (slow, deliberate work)
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow – Sculpin — top streamer for structure and deep runs.
- Sculpzilla – Olive — articulated profile that fishes like a small sculpin.
- Sculpzilla – Natural / Tan — alternate color for stained or clearer pockets.
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow – Sculpin — big, convincing baitfish imitation for heavy fish.
How I’d Rig It Today
- Euro nymphing: short, stiff tapered leader (0X–4X) with a tungsten or jig point (Frenchie/Frenchie-jig style) — use subtle, tight-line contact and small fluoro tippet (4–6 lb).
- Indicator rigs: 9–12' leaders with a small indicator, 12–18" to a point nymph (Frenchie/Perdigon) and a second dropper. Keep weight minimal and your indicator subtle.
- Dry-dropper: 9' 5X–6X leader, dry fly in front (BWO / CDC), 18–30" dropper to a micro zebra or Frenchie jig for winter risers.
- Streamer: 7–8 wt with a 20–30 lb shock tippet when boating; slow strips, pauses, and occasional short sweeps near structure.
Short Daily Plan
Morning — start on slow seams and tailouts with euro or indicator nymph rigs (Frenchie jigs, tungsten darts, zebra midges). Mid-morning — watch for risers in warmed water; switch to small emerger patterns and a dry-dropper. Afternoon — if fish go deep or get lethargic, strip a sculpin or sparkle minnow slowly through runs and structure.
Where to Focus
- Tailouts, inside seams and the heads of deep runs — fish often key to these in winter.
- Structure edges near drop-offs — place nymphs to hang just off bottom.
- Sunny flats and slow glides — look for midges and sporadic rises when the film warms.
Remember: winter fish are often in tighter lies and react to subtle changes. Strip less, feel more, watch the film, and make every presentation count.
Quick Gear Checklist
Rods
10′ 3–5 wt for nymphs & dries; 7–8 wt for streamers
10′ 3–5 wt for nymphs & dries; 7–8 wt for streamers
Leaders & Tippet
Euro setups: 0X–4X short tapers; Dry-dropper: 9' 5X–6X; tippet 4–6 lb fluoro for small bugs
Euro setups: 0X–4X short tapers; Dry-dropper: 9' 5X–6X; tippet 4–6 lb fluoro for small bugs
Flies
Stock the lists above — midges, tungsten perdrigons/Frenchie jigs, small BWOs, and a couple of sculpins
Stock the lists above — midges, tungsten perdrigons/Frenchie jigs, small BWOs, and a couple of sculpins
