Henry's Lake
HENRY'S LAKE
ReportThe lake is cooling off thanks to fewer daylight hours and colder nights. Blue-green algae has formed enough that the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has issued a warning about pollution and advises keeping children, pets, and livestock away from the water.
Start fishing from first light to midday, or when the wind calms. Not much change in what are the best fly-fishing tactics. Concentrate on drop-offs, springs, in front of weed beds, and creek mouths (Duck, Howard, Targhee). Use varying retrieves for streamers, woolly buggers, and leech patterns.
Midge pupa, scud, and emerger patterns under an indicator can be effective until windy conditions prevail. Cool overcast conditions are common. Boat fishing remains dangerous when winds pick up.
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges | #18–22 | Consistent — pupa stage most productive | First light through midday |
| Leeches | #10–14 | Strong — key streamer/leech retrieve pattern | First light through midday |
| Scuds | #12–16 | Steady — effective under indicator near weed beds | Calm morning windows |
| General Emergers | #12–16 | Moderate — productive until wind picks up | Morning calm periods |
- FIRST LIGHT TO MIDDAY: Prime window for all tactics — work streamers, woolly buggers, and leech patterns with varying retrieves along drop-offs, springs, and creek mouths (Duck, Howard, Targhee).
- CALM WIND PERIODS (MORNING): Switch to an indicator rig with midge pupa, scud, or emerger patterns in front of weed beds and over springs — fish this until wind picks up.
- AVOID AFTERNOON WIND: Boat fishing becomes dangerous when winds increase; plan to be off the water or safely anchored before conditions deteriorate.
