Fishing The Henrys Fork....With Jack Karpawack

Jack Karpawack here.

Well, as I suspected, there was no high speed internet available from my "YURT" on the Henry's Fork. So, I am back in the friendly confines of Southern Oregon ready to give you some recent fishing reports from the famed Henry's Fork of the Snake River...

...Pulled into Last Chance, Idaho on Monday afternoon.A hot and dry July 18th.

An extensive search of the "nine or so" existing businesses in Last Chance, left me in quite a quandry.Or was it a quagmire?? I'm not sure.

Anyway.

Which of the four fly fishing/ outfitter shops should I go into first for information, a license, and a lightening of my wallet. Actually, it was five choices if you count the general store==or six if you count the "Angler's Lodge- which also has a fly shop.Heck, who knows the restaurant and the remaining businesses may have carried fiahing gear also!!

At least my keen sense of business tells me that a fish or two must have been caught in this area.Either that, or the largest black market fly tying operation is run out of this "bump in the road" here in Idaho.

Like "Goldilocks" I look at one shop and decide it is too hot! (large) Another is too cold! (has the Orvis name and a yuppie feel to it) The other is juuust right! --O.K.-- I know that leaves a couple other shops, but stick with me here-- it's just a story cowboy!!

I wander in and it feels right--small and unassuming--nothing to intimidate me so far.

"Hi, can I help you."

Now that's a good start.

"Yes, I need to get a license, some info,and some flies."

"In exchange. you may have this wallet stuffed with twenty dollar bills."

"Fair enough." said the young employee.

"How's the river fishing?" I ask, waiting for the usual- 'we are knocking them dead' reply.

"Actually, kinda slow. A few fish in the early morning and some hatches coming off late in the evening."

"How about Henry's Lake?"

"Bigger fish-but about the same."

"O.K., well how about giving me about half a dozen patterns to try on the river, and a couple patterns for the lake."

He is more than happy to do this, and gets me set up with a couple different leeches for the lake, and some rubber legs and bead headed droppers for the river. I have plenty of different sizes of pale morning duns, caddis and callabaetis patterns, so I am pretty set for and drys in the evening. He tells me that the railroad ranch is fishing pretty good in the evening and that Box Canyon is the place I should try some nymphing in the morning. He even points out a spot on the map for me!

Now that's service.

I am feeling pretty good as I head for the door with minimal damage afflicted on my bank account, and more information than I expected to get--but then I spot the 40% off rack.

Seventy-five dollars later, I am back in my truck heading for my first rendevous with the famed Henry's Fork...

To be continued...

A.J. Klott
Author, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005. If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

In The News:


Event to emphasize aquatic conservation and fly-fishing
Asheville Citizen-Times, NC - 3 hours ago
BREVARD – The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education will emphasize aquatic conservation and fly-fishing as a part of National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept ...

Fishing banned in new reserve
TVNZ, New Zealand - 5 hours ago
Fishing has been declared off-limits in a popular spot in the capital, with the creation of a marine reserve on Wellington's doorstep. ...
Marine reserve finally opens on Wellington coast Otago Daily Times
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Fishing is popular at Grasslands' ponds
Kansas.com, KS - 7 hours ago
BY MICHAEL PEARCE CIMARRON NATIONAL GRASSLANDS - Southwest Kansas sportsmen sometimes joke they live in the middle of the best fishing in America. ...

Proposed regulation changes could adversely affect fishing
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, TN - 3 hours ago
The proposal, if approved, would have an adverse impact on tourism reports Kentucky Lake fishing guide Steve McCadams. "Tourism here sees big bucks ...
Opposition up against fishing rule changes Memphis Commercial Appeal
Effects of 2003 law credited for boatload of heavyweight catfish Memphis Commercial Appeal
all 3 news articles

Storm has affected fishing
SunHerald.com, MS - 8 hours ago
Especially when it comes to the weekly fishing report. Granted, things will settle down and nearshore fishing will continue to be fine heading into the fall ...
A bit of fishing before Gustav SunHerald.com
all 6 news articles

Butler gives lowdown on fly-fishing
Denver Post, CO - 6 hours ago
( Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post ) In a lifetime of fishing the Rocky Mountain West, Denver resident Joe Butler has made dozens of trips to Yellowstone ...
Outdoors Calendar Denver Post
all 2 news articles

Even coordinating the fishing action beats a good day at work
Post-Bulletin, MN - 9 hours ago
By John Weiss WABASHA -- Instead of being on the water Friday, fishing in the 2008 Minnesota Bassmasters fishing tournament, Tim Allen served as a sort of ...
Boy can tell what he did a week after summer vacation Post-Bulletin
all 4 news articles

Labourer drowns while fishing for extra Raya cash
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 3 hours ago
By RASLAN BAHAROM BAGAN SERAI: A labourer’s attempt to get some extra cash for the coming Hari Raya by fishing ended in tragedy when he was found dead off ...
Body of fisherman found New Straits Times
all 2 news articles

Turtle fishing loses popularity
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA - 9 hours ago
This year, for example, fishing a pond in Washington County, they captured several weighing between 18 and 35 pounds. Three such turtles will produce more ...
Turtles quick to snap Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
all 3 news articles

BBC News

'Worst fishing season' in decades
BBC News, UK - 21 hours ago
Bad weather has made 2008 the worst fishing season in Kent and Sussex for 40 years, according to local fishermen. Graham Doswell, of the Eastbourne Fishing ...
fishing - Google News


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