Written by: Tom Evenson, Orvis Western ELOG Director
Nick Minor, Three River Ranch Guide and Shop Manager landed this gorgeous brown on a streamer.
All photos by Tom Evenson
This past week I traveled to Three Rivers Ranch (one of the first ever Orvis Endorsed Lodges) in Warm River, Idaho, for a business meeting with lodge owner, Lonnie Allen, and a group of her staff and guides. After the meeting, a few of us did a short float on the Henrys Fork.
Though cold temperatures and rain put the brakes on any hope of seeing adult Salmonflies—reports were that I should have been there last week, of course—the streamer fishing was solid, as you can see from these photos.
Chad Allen, the lodge marketing manager, got in on the action, as well.Early season can be some of the best fishing of the year: helicopter-size dry flies or striping T-bone streamers? Sign me up! It’s also when fewer people are willing to gamble on variable weather and water conditions, but the fish are focused on bulking up. We did not see a single other boat or angler—seriously crazy!
Tom Evenson is the Western Director of the Orvis Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters, and Guides (ELOG) program.
[Editor’s Note: Why no apostrophe in Henrys Fork? The U.S. Board on Geographic Names has a rule on this, which cites that very river as the example: “Apostrophes suggesting possession or association are not to be used within the body of a proper geographic name (Henrys Fork: not Henry’s Fork).” There are only five exceptions, and the only one you will have heard of is Martha’s Vineyard.]
Great photos!
I fish the Henrys Fork fairly often. There are more big rainbows on the Henrys Fork than browns, but browns seem to go for streamers much better than the rainbows. What do you think?
Nice trout!
I am obsessed with this sport!! Recently bought 2 fly rods, attended the Orvis classes, the spey day & one fly fishing event on the Deerfield River in MA, and all I could think was “If ONLY I had better wading shoes and a great pair of waders!” the entire time. Winning something like this would be the biggest joy ever for me! I would cry from happiness!!