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Fly Fishing Newsletter
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Are we ready to Rumble! Just look at these Piggies!! I hope everyone has their rods and reels dusted off and the fly boxes reviewed. These are the fish coming into the hatchery this spring at Henry's Lake . It's going to be another fun filled year on the Stillwater lakes of Island Park . Henry's Lake and Sheridan Lake are both in great shape.
Henry's Lake has not been in this kind of shape for 5 or 6 years. The lake went into winter full and is still currently full of great water. Damon Keen of the Fish & Game has stated to us that the lake wintered very well. The oxygen levels have been great throughout the winter and the fish that have come into the hatchery have not looked stressed at all. I will include a few pictures so you all can see for yourselves. Damon also stated that the fish coming into the Hatchery are about double with what they have had over the last few years. He is very optimistic about the numbers of fish that are in the lake. We will know more when we get out with the Fish & Game and do some Gill netting. Then we will have a better idea of what numbers we have.
The Fish & Game has been able to get all the eggs they need for Henry's Lake and extra eggs for some of the other lakes in Idaho . This is some really good news for all the Stillwater folks. The projects on Targhee Creek and Howard Creek are complete. Several groups were involved with the re-construction on the fish ladder system on both these tributaries. This will only add to the numbers in Henry's Lake over the next few years through the natural spawning process. These two tributaries are the two main sources for spawning fish especially critical during low water years. In previous years the fish that did make it up the streams during those low water years were equivalent to Iron Man and Iron women athletes.
Some other news worthy information for Henry's is the new rules. They are going to all 24 hour fishing along with extending the season until the end of November. It's been a source of disagreement and elations depending on who you talk with. We will have to wait and see what happens and the impact these two rule changes have on the fishery.
I think it's pretty safe to say “ Henrys Lake is back” and is going to be a lot of fun.
Sheridan Lake is also going to be a lot of fun this year. Mike the lake manager has been up on the lake on and off over the winter. He states the lake is in great shape and the fish have been active on midges. I can attest to this as I went one time and the fish were really active and fun to catch. We didn't catch anything of any size but we did see the big ones rolling on some midges out of casting reach. Neither of us really wanted to test the ice to get to them. We have gotten a little smarter and remember I only said a little smarter as we went on a day when the wind was howling, sleet biting our cheeks and darn right chilly.
The fish were healthy and no worse for wear. Mike did two planting in the fall of last year. He planted 15,000 or so Kamloop rainbows and about 7,000 cutthroat fingerlings. This should add to a great mix of fish for this upcoming year along with years to come.
As some of you know Sheridan does offer some Mayfly, Caddis and terrestrial opportunities with some great hatches. We have had some great evening Caddis hatches on Sheridan . The Cutthroats in a few years is only going to add to the fun. They seem not to mind the top of the water column unlike some other species.
On the Sheridan we are starting trips in the middle of May. We are not yet sure on how much water we will have to fish but the ice should come off pretty fast. Being private we can start as soon as the ice it off.
Island Park Reservoir is going to be a sleeper again. We will keep checking it's status throughout the year and let everyone know what's going on there. The Fish & Game stated that they are still continuing to stock the lake as they have done in the past. We will keep you posted.
The rivers are high and should remain high for sometime as we get into the winter runoff. All the rivers are blown out right now and some are at flood stage. We will try and keep you informed on the stream conditions as well.
I hope I have given you enough information to get your Stillwater blood stirred. If the news and information doesn't then the pictures surely will. They might even push some of you right off the edge. Read and look at your own discretion!!
As always if you have any questions about the Lakes, needing more information or want to book a trip please feel free to call me at 208-390-2177 or shoot me an e-mail.
Let's get fishin
Lynn Scott
For the latest and greatest information on fishing conditions check out the fishing report and our newletters.