Fishing Report - October 3rd, 2026
Orrin Jones
Upper Henry's Fork:
Flows in Box Canyon are currently 181 CFS.
Box Canyon has had several large changes in streamflow in the last several months, and with the dropping flows the fishing has turned for the best. Some Rainbows from the South Fork of the Snake River were transplanted following the recent abundance shocking survey, which makes for some interesting catches in the canyon. The best fishing has been seen in the upper canyon close to the dam, and near where added streamflow clears up the turbidity from Island Park Reservoir. Fish a small rubber legs, red wire worm, or a blowtorch in there. For pickier fish, I like a Barr’s Beadhead emerger in BWO #16-18 this time of year.
Railroad Ranch has been quite hit or miss, and with the low streamflow from the dam there are plenty of exposed weed beds which can make fishing challenging. Target the deeper channels, and have a selection of some small mayflies for any risers. I would still have some mahogany duns, smaller size #18. Blue Wing Olives are starting to be important, so anywhere I went this time of year I would have a few small mayfly dries. The Pseudocloeon (super tiny BWO’s, #20-26) has been a constant hatch mid mornings and evenings, which when emerging in large numbers can lure quite a number of fish up to the surface.
Lower Henrys Fork:
Flows Below Ashton Dam are currently 421 CFS.
Fishing is great! Good time for a float. Browns are up and on the move, congregated below passage barriers like Chester and Ora dam, and moving up into the system on the Henry’s Fork upstream from Ashton Reservoir. If you have streamers, now is the time. I like a Rusty Trombone, or a Goldie Articulated Streamer for the Lower Henry’s Fork. Sporadic hatches of BWO’s and Mahogany Duns are still a great option in the backwater sections. This can provide a great afternoon of technical dry fly fishing as long as the wind stays down. I fish a Tilt-wing Mahogany dun, #16-18 and then trail either a small Last-Chance cripple #18 behind it, or a small BWO pattern like a No-Hackle or a CDC Emerger. I think the tilt-wing is easy to see and helps me extend my drift further away, while subtle enough to not put any fish down. For a nymph, try a red or rust colored wire worm, and small Baetis nymphs.
South Fork of the Snake:
Flows near Irwin are currently 4170 CFS.
Flows at Lorenzo are currently 2040 CFS.
The flows on the South Fork have consistently dropped, exposing lots of gravel bars and now making walking and wading an option for those on foot. If floating in a boat, there may be side-channels which are not safe to take and there may be some gravel bars that you may have to get out and walk the boat. Mahogany Duns and BWO’s are available, but streamer fishing or fishing a nymph has been the ticket for the most part. For nymphs, not much has changed, try some small beadheads, small rubber legs, and streamer fishing.
Madison River:
Flows Below Hebgen currently 716 CFS
Madison river has been fishing quite well, streamer fishing on the walk and wade section (Reynold’s Pass, Three Dollar) can be a fantastic option. If the streamer bite isn’t on, try nymphing small olive mayfly patterns paired with a small dead-drifted leech or sculpin. Recently I have spent several days in Yellowstone chasing the Hebgen Lake fish moving upstream, and it seems to me that fish are everywhere in the river, from Madison Junction all the way to the mouth of the lake. There are a LOT of anglers out and about on this stretch, so be courteous to others and share the water.
Teton River:
Flows on the Upper Teton near Driggs are currently 190 CFS
The Teton River is probably the best option this time of year for dry-fly fishing. Have Mahogany Duns, BWO’s, and a few grey drakes in case weather conditions allow some Hecuba to hatch. If you need a dropper nymph, I recommend a Barr’s Beadhead emerger in 16 or 18, or a Tungsten Hares Ear Jig #16. On the Lower Teton, it can pay off to try fishing a streamer, and because of the warm afternoons we’ve had, a small parachute hopper can be an option.
Yellowstone National Park:
The park is a solid option, you can try your luck with the crowds on the Madison this time of year for a Big Brown, or explore the Gibbon river which is also fishing well, or try to fish a small dry-fly or soft hackle on the Firehole river. The Yellowstone river is really low and clear, which means the dry-fly fishing is challenging yet rewarding for afternoon hatches of Baetis. Try fishing a small streamer and it might yield a big Cutthroat! Haven’t heard much about the fishability on both Slough Creek or the Lamar, so unless you have a good source maybe it is best left until next season. The Gallatin River is a solid option with streamers for a healthy Brown, and nymphing with a rubber legs or a small perdigon would probably be the best bet for numbers in the net.
Lakes:
Henry's Lake
The cooler temperatures have improved the fishing in Henry’s lake, but beware that the lower lake level has made it difficult to launch a boat. Small leech patterns, crystal buggers, scuds, and chironomids are productive. By targeting the mouths of inlet creeks such as Targee or Howard creek, you can catch a big brookie this time of year as they prepare to move upstream. Reports suggest most fish are holding 4-5 feet deep.
Hebgen
Significant numbers of Brown trout can be found stacked up in the channel of the Madison arm, and nymphing deep with an indicator or stripping leeches is probably the best course of action this time of year.