Fishing Report - April 1, 2025

Henry’s Fork

Upper River:

There is still a lot of snow in the Island Park area, so the boat ramps will not be plowed. If you have access to snow shoes or a snow mobile, you can have a little easier access to the river. The road is open into the Island Park Dam, and this is a very good place to fish. The best fishing will be with nymphs and streamers. Try a size 6 black Pat’s Rubberlegs with a size 18 black or tan zebra midge. You can also do well with egg patterns. On a cloudy day it never hurts to strip a streamer. I like a size 4 Olive Sculpzilla in the Box Canyon. The river at Last Chance can fish good as well. You might even see some fish rising above the log jam on midges. Try a size 18 Griffith Gnat or a size 18 Renegade. Harriman State Park is closed until June 15th, but if you have a friend that lives in Pinehaven, you might get a chance at some rising fish on midges, but you need permission to access the river. 

Riverside Campground down to Ashton:

There is limited access to the river until you get down to the Stone Bridge at the confluence of Warm River. If you do have some snowshoes or snow mobile, you could enjoy some very good fishing away from all anglers up and down from Riverside Campground. This is pocket water, so the best fishing would be subsurface. Again, small zebra midges' size 18-20, pheasant tail nymphs’ size 18-20, black Pat’s Rubberlegs size 6 and egg patterns will produce. From the boat ramp is accessible from Stone bridge down to either Jump off or the county boat dock. Use the same nymph patterns as listed thus far. The only difference is being able to float and you might even see some Baetis hatching in the afternoon. One thing to mention is the rainbows are still spawning to be mindful not to walk on any redds. 

Ashton Dam to St. Anthony:

The boat ramps are open and access is abundant. There has been a few baetis hatching in the afternoon hours. If you see fish rising, try a size 18-20 BWO No hackle, size 18-20 BWO Last Chance Cripple, or a size 18-20 Renegade. Any combination of these flies should be productive. As listed in other sections, the best nymphs will be imitating stoneflies, Baetis, midges, and eggs. So, my recommendation is the Pat’s Rubberlegs, pheasant tail nymphs, egg patterns, and zebra midges. There are also a lot of small leeches in the river and you will see these attached to the fish you catch; however, the fish love them. So, it can be very productive to dead drift a black or olive wooly bugger size 10 or 12, you will be amazed at how many fish you will catch this way. Again, the rainbows are spawning, so please be mindful not to walk on the Redds. 

Madison River

This river is very fun this time of year. We haven’t seen runoff effect the river so the river is in good shape. Not much for dry flies, but you can have some fantastic nymph fishing. I like using the same nymphs as the Henry’s Fork mainly Pat’s Rubberlegs, egg patterns, and zebra midges. The fish are usually eager to feed as we start seeing these warmer spring days. I love to start either at the Reynold’s bridge or 3 Dollar Bridge and wade. I like to work my way up the river until I’m too tired to go any further. Be mindful of other anglers. 

Teton River

This river has been fluctuating a bit due to snowmelt, so some days it is murky while on cooler days it is clear. Not much for dry fly fishing yet, and the water is very cold. The best fishing is going to be in the afternoon hours. With the water cold, the fish will hold in the deep slow runs rather than the faster riffles. Try swinging a leech using a size 10-12 olive balance leech, or just use size 12 standard wooly bugger in black or olive. You can also do well with egg patterns and midge nymphs. I love using a size 16 Olive Bullet Quill. 

South Fork of the Snake

All the boat ramps are open. The river is very low, so if you do float, watch out for debris. The water is very cold so there hasn’t been much dry fly fishing, but we are expecting to see baetis anytime. There have been some midges hatching in the afternoon, but not a lot of fish are up on them. One of my favorite floats this time of year is between Twin Bridges and Menan. I know you can catch plenty of fish on nymphs, but I just love pulling a streamer. I’ve caught plenty of large brown and cutthroats over the years. I love using a size 4 Olive or Tan Hen Saddle Matuka. I also have done really well on a size 1/O White Mongrel Meat on the brighter days. It is very fun to watch those fish shark after a streamer. Please note that there is no limit on rainbow trout on this river and the Fish and Game encourage the harvest of rainbows. This is to protect the native Cutthroats.