Pro Tips
2010
Ian's Report Card from the Henry's Fork - July 2010
July 26, 2010
At Scott we believe in rod design through real-world application and real-world testing, what you may not know is that we send off our employees for time on the water testing as well. Below you'll find an account of the time Scott's Ian Crabtree spent on the Henry's Fork with Rene' Harrop and a report card that was sent to Scott's President and rod designer Jim Bartschi.
Many thanks to Rene' for donating his time with Ian and his gracious hospitality, also thanks to Bonnie Harrop and Masa Katsumata for the accompanying photography.
Many thanks to Rene' for donating his time with Ian and his gracious hospitality, also thanks to Bonnie Harrop and Masa Katsumata for the accompanying photography.
Hello Jimmy,
In keeping with your directive, young Ian Crabtree was greeted at the hospitality pool by a gallery completely qualified to administer the formal indoctrination ceremony for rookies on the Henry's Fork.
In keeping with your directive, young Ian Crabtree was greeted at the hospitality pool by a gallery completely qualified to administer the formal indoctrination ceremony for rookies on the Henry's Fork.
Comprised of TroutHunter partners Jon Stiehl, Rich and Millie Paini, Scott prostaffers Masa Katsumata, Brandon Prince, and Rene' Harrop, and a dozen or so local critics, the indoctrination committee administered the ceremonial toast of a half dozen Natty lights to the young admittee as he prepared to make his first cast to a wiley Henry's Fork rainbow.
Ian immediately impressed the group by wading into an area where the larger fish prefer to feed and proceeded to fool a ten inch rainbow on the first drift of a Flav Spinner. It was obvious that he did not understand the one point penalty for fishing to a trout of inferior size, but I think he got it that chasing the larger players from the spot he chose to reach the little guy was probably a bad idea. To Ian's credit, he endured the ridicule of both blunders with only a minor reddening of the ears.
Another dozen Natty lights and probably a shot or two at the TroutHunter Bar would put the rookie in prime condition to face the merciless cruisers of the Millionaire's Pool the following morning. As an added precaution, we made certain that Ian would not be the victim of too much sleep by putting him in the Log jam which, as you know, is situated adjacent to the bar.
Joined by Rich, Jon, Masa, and myself, Ian made a quick impression by sticking the first big cruiser he spotted on about the second or third cast of the first full day. Predictably, however, he farmed the fish after the first good power run, and there would be no redemption for the remainder of the morning.
Early evening on the same day found us about a half mile down from the top of the Ranch where reports of reliable Flav activity had Ian punped up at the prospect of getting that first big rainbow into the net. The first hour or two passed with only a couple of shots at sporadically rising fish. As the temperature began to drop and rain began to fall from a now overcast sky, big trout began to show in increasing numbers throughout a long stretch of gently riffled water. As can happen in such conditions, heavy numbers of Flav duns began to carpet the water, and it was at this point that Ian realized he had left his rain jacket in Masa's truck. Temporarily relieved from his coaching duties, and well protected from a soaking, Masa proceeded to engage several big Flav feeders while Ian made the mile long round trip hike to retrieve his rain jacket.
Not to be discouraged at the loss of forty five minutes of prime fishing opportunity, the young guy showed potential in achieving several solid eats from among more than a dozen sizable players. Sadly, however, Ian fell victim to a mistimed hookset on every acceptance of the fly which left him talking mainly to himself as we left the water under a strong wind that brought a premature end to the activity.
The wind subsided about thirty minutes later as we reached our vehicles at the upper parking lot. With an hour and a half of daylight remaining, Masa suggested a quick run down to Wood Road 16 to finish off the first day. Pronouncing himself "spent", Ian conceded victory to the fish and we again allowed the young spinner to retreat to the bar and more Nattys as consolation for his effort.
Expounding on the inherent tendency for many of the larger rainbows to move about during surface feeding activity, Ian commented on how he had envisioned fishing the Henry's Fork to include mostly stationary fish feeding rythmically on easily identified insects. And in this regard, he would get his wish the next day. What he could not know, however, was that he had already experienced the easiest fishing he would find on his first visit to the world's most challenging trout stream.
The gravel bar below Piney Point, which you know well, was the setting for Ian's final morning on the river. The cool, wet night had delayed the usual morning spinner fall to around 11:00 a.m. which was about an hour after we arrived at this preferred spot. With Masa and I both coaching from the bank, Ian moved into position below several large fish that finned lazily in a generally straight line along a rather sharp drop off between thin and deeper water.
For more than an hour, the target trout feasted on a menu of spinners that included Flavs and PMDs with a few Green and Brown Drakes thrown in as well. With little or no favorable response from the preoccupied fish, Ian alternated between changing fly patterns and casting positions as the heavy spinner fall ran it's course. Confidence if not enthusiasm began to wane as the feeding activity began to fade. The sense of urgency was not aided by a pair of lady anglers in the company of TroutHunter guide Marty Reed who hooked two very impressive fish as they drifted by on the far side of the river. Finally, as will sometimes happen in the eleventh hour, a minor miracle happened for our young guest as he finally lifted his rod to the weight of a trout validated presentation which occured at the end of several hundred fruitless casts. An excited shout and waving of arms from Masa brought my attention to the action a few hundred feet downstream from where I had positioned myself to dissuade interference from a rather unruly group of recreational floaters bearing down on us from upstream. But the excitment was again short lived as the hard earned fish spit the fly after less than a minute of connection to our young hero from Colorado. Deflated if not defeated, Ian bravely suppressed the disappointment of another lost prize as the end of his final day crept ever nearer.
Relocating about a mile downstream, I felt quite confident that Ian's quest for a big rainbow could be realized in water that had produced amazing results for me only a week earlier. But success was not to be on this occasion as a steep increase in flow from Island Park dam sent a surge of debris laden water that canceled what could been an action packed finale to Ian's first visit to the Henry's Fork. The minor opportunity that survived the sudden disruptive increase in water level was further shortened by another heavy rainstorm and wind that again put an early end to a promising Flav hatch. By now, however, Ian had willingly resigned himself to the solace of Natty lights which had become the only reliable aspect of his pilgrimge. Ian left the Henry's fork with an empty score sheet but also a promise to return on the first opportunity that presents itself, and that is what is most important. You are only a rookie once my friend.
Performance Report for Ian Crabtree
Henry's Fork July 2010
Submitted by Rene' Harrop
Fundamental Presentation Skill B
Insect Recognition C
Selection of Casting Position C+
Wading and Approach Skills B
Drag Management C-
Fly Box Efficiency D-
Enthusiasm and Determination A
Sense of Humor A
Appreciation for Cheap Beer A
Thank you,
Rene' Harrop
Looking forward to 2010 on the Henry’s Fork
May 5, 2010
Observing the Henry’s Fork through the winter of 2009/2010 has been vastly different from the previous two years. Comparatively modest snowfall and mild temperatures provided unusual comfort to all river dependent creatures both aquatic and otherwise.
Wintering whitetail deer were not forced to concentrate in the river corridor for forage as in years past, and I have yet to see a single casualty of the cold season. Without severe icing influencing their survival, Trumpeter Swans and other waterfowl were free to access the entire length of the river thereby avoiding crowding and over harvesting of aquatic vegetation. Vulnerable mammals like muskrat also benefit from less severe conditions, and spring numbers of these gentle creatures attest to an easier life during the past winter.
Lower snow levels have permitted the observation of many spawning areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach in typical early spring conditions. Reproductive activity in these key locations is perhaps the best indicator of trout populations separate from actually fishing. Impressive is the best word to describe the numbers and individual size of spawning rainbows observed from early March through the end of April. The volume of predatory activity from Bald Eagle, Osprey, Loons, and river Otter might be troubling to some but it takes a strong fishery to attract and support such intense interest. Therefore, it seems logical to consider these wild consumers as positive indicators of a very healthy population of trout.
Mild weather aided by easier access to the water enabled anglers to get an earlier start on waters open to year round fishing on the ‘Fork. Early March found trout rising consistently to abundant hatches of midges and baetis, and this trend continued for more than six weeks. Clearly evident was a higher percentage of brown trout that were coming to a dry fly which indicates a strengthening of this relatively new resident of the lower Henry’s Fork.
Caddis and March Brown mayflies began to appear almost simultaneously during the third week of April bringing with them a nearly unbearable distraction for the heavily burdened fly tyer only thirty days out from the beginning of the general fishing season. Cool temperatures with weekly precipitation are perfect weather ingredients for heavy hatches and rising trout, and this has been the pattern since late March. Also positive in this trend is a strong contribution in the high country to a weaker than usual snow pack.
Key in the outlook for 2010 is winter flows from Island Park Reservoir that exceed anything we have seen on the Henry’s Fork since the late 1990’s. With flows running from 350 to 400 cfs during the coldest months of December, January, and February, a much higher percentage of young trout will survive than in years when winter flows were considerably lower. Large numbers of small trout now concentrated along the edges of the river confirm a continuing trend of improved winter survival that can be largely attributed to the efforts of the Henry’s Fork Foundation. Working in close cooperation with irrigation officials who control the release of water from the Island Park Reservoir, HFF personnel have succeeded in gaining unprecedented consideration for trout in the management of winter flows on the Henry’s Fork.
Aquatic insects that share environmental needs similar to trout are also benefiting from better wintering conditions. Strong hatches and an abundance of rising trout have persisted through the early season and I see little reason to expect this to change as the season progresses.
Concerns for a lower than average snow pack can be alleviated to a considerable extent by a large carryover in Island Park Reservoir that now approaches 100% of capacity. Cool temperatures and above normal precipitation beginning in late March and continuing through April have delayed spring snow melt and irrigation demand thereby improving the water outlook as well. More rain and perhaps even snow dominate the forecast as April draws to a close, and this is bad news only to golfers.
Winter in the adjoining states of Montana and Wyoming has been similar to what has been experienced in Idaho. Anglers who plan to visit the Yellowstone region should not expect to find rivers swollen by heavy runoff in late May and June as has been the case in the past two years, although this could change with continued cool temperatures and abundant precipitation.
2009 on the Henry’s Fork was the best in recent memory with abundant hatches and trout of impressive size and numbers. Based upon customary indicators, it is reasonable to expect fishing in 2010 to equal or even exceed what most fly fishers experienced last year.
Wintering whitetail deer were not forced to concentrate in the river corridor for forage as in years past, and I have yet to see a single casualty of the cold season. Without severe icing influencing their survival, Trumpeter Swans and other waterfowl were free to access the entire length of the river thereby avoiding crowding and over harvesting of aquatic vegetation. Vulnerable mammals like muskrat also benefit from less severe conditions, and spring numbers of these gentle creatures attest to an easier life during the past winter.
Lower snow levels have permitted the observation of many spawning areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach in typical early spring conditions. Reproductive activity in these key locations is perhaps the best indicator of trout populations separate from actually fishing. Impressive is the best word to describe the numbers and individual size of spawning rainbows observed from early March through the end of April. The volume of predatory activity from Bald Eagle, Osprey, Loons, and river Otter might be troubling to some but it takes a strong fishery to attract and support such intense interest. Therefore, it seems logical to consider these wild consumers as positive indicators of a very healthy population of trout.
Mild weather aided by easier access to the water enabled anglers to get an earlier start on waters open to year round fishing on the ‘Fork. Early March found trout rising consistently to abundant hatches of midges and baetis, and this trend continued for more than six weeks. Clearly evident was a higher percentage of brown trout that were coming to a dry fly which indicates a strengthening of this relatively new resident of the lower Henry’s Fork.
Caddis and March Brown mayflies began to appear almost simultaneously during the third week of April bringing with them a nearly unbearable distraction for the heavily burdened fly tyer only thirty days out from the beginning of the general fishing season. Cool temperatures with weekly precipitation are perfect weather ingredients for heavy hatches and rising trout, and this has been the pattern since late March. Also positive in this trend is a strong contribution in the high country to a weaker than usual snow pack.
Key in the outlook for 2010 is winter flows from Island Park Reservoir that exceed anything we have seen on the Henry’s Fork since the late 1990’s. With flows running from 350 to 400 cfs during the coldest months of December, January, and February, a much higher percentage of young trout will survive than in years when winter flows were considerably lower. Large numbers of small trout now concentrated along the edges of the river confirm a continuing trend of improved winter survival that can be largely attributed to the efforts of the Henry’s Fork Foundation. Working in close cooperation with irrigation officials who control the release of water from the Island Park Reservoir, HFF personnel have succeeded in gaining unprecedented consideration for trout in the management of winter flows on the Henry’s Fork.
Aquatic insects that share environmental needs similar to trout are also benefiting from better wintering conditions. Strong hatches and an abundance of rising trout have persisted through the early season and I see little reason to expect this to change as the season progresses.
Concerns for a lower than average snow pack can be alleviated to a considerable extent by a large carryover in Island Park Reservoir that now approaches 100% of capacity. Cool temperatures and above normal precipitation beginning in late March and continuing through April have delayed spring snow melt and irrigation demand thereby improving the water outlook as well. More rain and perhaps even snow dominate the forecast as April draws to a close, and this is bad news only to golfers.
Winter in the adjoining states of Montana and Wyoming has been similar to what has been experienced in Idaho. Anglers who plan to visit the Yellowstone region should not expect to find rivers swollen by heavy runoff in late May and June as has been the case in the past two years, although this could change with continued cool temperatures and abundant precipitation.
2009 on the Henry’s Fork was the best in recent memory with abundant hatches and trout of impressive size and numbers. Based upon customary indicators, it is reasonable to expect fishing in 2010 to equal or even exceed what most fly fishers experienced last year.
Rene’ Harrop
