Schiess: Henrys Lake producing trophy fish - East Idaho News
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Schiess: Henrys Lake producing trophy fish

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Trophy fish are starting to hit at Henrys Lake as the cooler weather including some snow and a lot of rain have cooled the water on the famed lake.

“We are not catching a lot of fish, but the ones we are catching are larger than we have seen in the last few years,” says Mike Tubbs of Oklahoma, who owns a cabin at Staley Springs. “Last week I got one over 13 pounds with several between eight and 11 pounds.”

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Most of the larger fish are being caught along the north shore from Pintail Point to the Hatchery in seven to 12 feet of water. Unlike the spring fishing when most of the large fish were caught on bait, fly fishermen are the most successful during the fall as fish on scuds, leeches and insects to gain weight before the lake freezes over.

“The last few days fishermen are buying Electric Black leech flies as well as Purple Showgirls, anything with blue or purple flash in them as the wind has the water a little muddy,” Mike Wilson, owner of Drift Lodge and Fly Shop southeast of Henrys, said last weekend. “Halloween flies and Light Olive Crystals and Olive Rug Yarn flies have also been popular.”

This summer the fishing was poor to terrible with very few fish being caught on most days as many fishermen abandoned the lake to fish other bodies of water.

“We still are not catching a lot of fish and even get skunked occasionally, but we are getting some very big fish,” Mike Bruton of Rexburg said. “We are getting some five to eight pounders which are really nice to catch.”

From now to when the lake freezes over, usually early in November, the fish will congregate near the mouths of the streams like Hope Creek, Pittsburg Creek, Howard Creek and Duck Creek. Also just before freeze-up they move into the shallows at Henrys Lake State Park and the Frome County docks on the west. They will congregate in these shallow areas because the sun will warm the water by mid-morning which causes insects to hatch.

The Cliffs on the south side of the lake are popular for bait fishermen as they usually take some very large hybrids there each fall. Fishermen trolling lures have been picking up the smaller, one and two year old fish, just off the Cliffs and near Hope Creek. As the water continues to cool, fish will move in closer to the shore and can be caught from the bank at the Cliffs and near the state park.

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Those fishermen targeting brook trout are fishing near the Hatchery, at the Stump Hole and near Pittsburg Creek. Howard Creek near the state park should start producing some of the large brook trout and hybrids.

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People who love to fish and hunt will now have to make a choice as both are in full swing, but the fall fishing on Henrys can be a very rewarding experience with a chance to catch a trophy of a lifetime. Be prepared for a cold day if you go there as the storms and winds with temperatures near freezing make for a cold experience on many days.

For up-to-date information on conditions and reports, Wilson at the Drift Lodge, can be a very valuable resource. He also carries equipment and flies as well as is in touch will the lake on a daily basis. He can be reached at (208) 558-0152.

If you are looking for a trophy, Henrys Lake is probably to place to hit before freeze-up before the ice fishermen get to them.

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