Fishing Forum

Every now and then a day of fishing comes along that is so incredible you have to pinch yourself to make sure you are really there. Friday November 5th was one of those days. Last week I got a call from Dan Kennedy, he wanted me to come take a look at the deer he killed this year. The antlers were more than impressive on this monster Mule deer.


After chatting for a bit we talked about how we should get together and fish soon. We tentatively planned a trip to Henrys pending whether or not Everet could attend. After a few phone calls we got things nailed down for the trip. An extreme high pressure, covering the entire Western United States, almost canceled the trip. We decided to risk maybe having a dead calm day where the trout just lay on the bottom and watch the flies go by. Sure glad we did.

We arrived at Henry's before the first hints of light were even showing over the mountains to the East. We inflated the boats and kicked out into the cold misty lake. Everyone caught at least one fish with a few standouts coming to net including an 18 inch Brook Trout caught by Dan.




We decided to move and loaded up the car with the boats to move to a new area. I think I need a truck??


For the newt few hours we sight fished some small bays. Everet made a great cast and put a scud right in front of this 20 inch Brook Trout.

I caught a few on a flashy golden damsel pattern.

And Dan got a few nice ones i'll post more pics when he gets them to me.

Things slowed down and we feared it would be a slow afternoon. We drove to a local gas station, fueled up, and looked at some pics of some really big fish in the mini fly shop they had there. We decided to try the state boat ramp but changed our minds when we got there and there were 5000 people in drift boats and on the bank. The day was starting to drag so we decided to head back to the small bays from the morning to see if we could finish the day with some fish. The wind had started to blow a bit but we thought it wouldnt be enough to make any big difference.

On the way back to the bays we were passing some wooded shoreline and Everet said, "Stop right here, I think it may be perfect!". We pulled off and walked down to the water, Everets eyes lit up and he goes, "This is what we have been waiting for!" The next few hours were spent wading and throwing streamers at the bank. Many larger than average Cutthroats came to hand.






Then it happened. Everet started yelling from about 100 yards away. We hurried over to find him mid battle with a fish he said had smoked him on the first run!


He was excited but calm as he stood there in a draw with what he called a "good fish". Another five minutes passed that felt like hours. The fish was close but none of us had seen it in the murky water. It was about this time he informed me he had hooked it on his four weight! One last pull and the head came up, I quickly scooped up what is the biggest trout I have ever seen. This Cutthroat/Rainbow Hybrid was massive, about half of its body fit in the small net we had with us. I bear hugged the net and the fish and got to shallow water. We were all freaking out as I handed the net to Everet. What a fish!






Everet decided to let this trophy go, surely a hard choice but I'm proud of him for doing it. The fish swam off strongly, hopefully to be caught again.



Henry's Lake is amazing. What a privilege to be able to share such a special day with good friends. The big fish are there, when conditions are right there is a good chance of catching one of these incredible fish. Ive said it before but this is one of the top five stillwater fisheries in the United States. Days like Friday are the reason you go.
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awesome as usual. curious, what in your eyes are the other 4 lakes?
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Wow, that fish on a 4 weight? That's pretty impressive. I thought there was just a discussion going on about how the fish at Henry's were "stunted". Great photos and thanks for the report.

Cole
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Great report and awesome fish! Seems there are still big fish in Henry's. Great job on the fish and the pictures.
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You know, I dont really have a list.. Some that come to mind are Pyramid, Delaney Butte lakes, Hebgen, Antero, Clark Canyon, Spinney, I would put Strawberry up there.

I'm sure I left out a few but these are just off the top of my head. Of these I would put Pyramid first and Henrys in the top five.
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[quote flyguy66]Wow, that fish on a 4 weight? That's pretty impressive. I thought there was just a discussion going on about how the fish at Henry's were "stunted". Great photos and thanks for the report.

Cole[/quote]
Crazy huh!? I am yet to see a finer example of fish sticking ability. I've never seen a stunted Cutt or Hybrid from Henrys. Thanks!
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Thanks! Theres still a few big ones in there. People just gotta leave the docks. []
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[quote Weekend_Warrior]I would put Pyramid first.[/quote]

couldent agree more. fishing off a step ladder back in the day was a freaking blast!! its one of my fall destinations this year
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Just for the record I don't usually tote around a 4wt when fishing Henrys. I brought it for the average cutties stacked on the bank. I had the 8wt with me, but was loving the fight on the 4wt so I never switched!
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That is an awesome fish!! So what were the water temps from best you could tell?
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I was going to say, using a 4 weight at Henry's is pretty ballsy. I've landed a lot of 3-6 pound Henry's fish on my 5 weight but that fish on a 4 weight is pretty incredible.

Cole
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[quote Weekend_Warrior][quote flyguy66]Wow, that fish on a 4 weight? That's pretty impressive. I thought there was just a discussion going on about how the fish at Henry's were "stunted". Great photos and thanks for the report.

Cole[/quote]
Crazy huh!? I am yet to see a finer example of fish sticking ability. I've never seen a stunted Cutt or Hybrid from Henrys. Thanks![/quote]


Jealous guys. And that STUNTED word keeps getting brought up on the Idaho board....I don't get it. I haven't seen any stunted fish from H. BUT, the bigger are far and few, that is all. Again I think a cycle thing.

Very nice though and love the colors on your brookies.
Thanks.

So what do you guess the big one at...30"? +"? Hard to tell with Everet being 7' tall....[laugh]
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[quote Jacksonman]That is an awesome fish!! So what were the water temps from best you could tell?[/quote]
Cold haha I am not sure but I bet they were at least 5-8 degrees colder than when we were there last. Have you seen the weather for this next week??!! Not too much longer.
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[quote flygoddess][quote Weekend_Warrior][quote flyguy66]Wow, that fish on a 4 weight? That's pretty impressive. I thought there was just a discussion going on about how the fish at Henry's were "stunted". Great photos and thanks for the report.

Cole[/quote]
Crazy huh!? I am yet to see a finer example of fish sticking ability. I've never seen a stunted Cutt or Hybrid from Henrys. Thanks![/quote]


Jealous guys. And that STUNTED word keeps getting brought up on the Idaho board....I don't get it. I haven't seen any stunted fish from H. BUT, the bigger are far and few, that is all. Again I think a cycle thing.

Very nice though and love the colors on your brookies.
Thanks.

So what do you guess the big one at...30"? +"? Hard to tell with Everet being 7' tall....[laugh][/quote]

Thanks FG! You guys must have been really spoiled before, I am in awe of the size of these fish and i've caught to 26.75 at the Berry. These fish are in a whole other class IMO.

I'll let Everet tell if he wants... I dont want to get into that. We did measure him and I know how big it was and you are right, Everets a big guy. The fish was huge and heavy is all i'll say. [cool]
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I know, he broke my record....[:/]
Bound to happen, it's okay, I can take it......[]

Right on Guys. And that is what I am Talking BOUT.
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That fish of Shellys is a tank for sure.. I didnt post this to get into a measuring contest. []

Two things really stand out to me about Ev's fish. First is that it was a buck. I have seen LOTS of pics of big Hybrids but they are all hens from what i've seen. To get a male like that is something else! He's going to have a replica done of it. Second that it was caught from the bank wading and in water under three feet deep. Pretty cool to witness.
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It was size XL haha I'll pm you with the length, it seems like nothing good ever comes from posting lengths on this site
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I didn't know I was causing a problem by asking length...sorry, just askin'.
for the record, Shel's was a Cutt too, no hybrid, and it is rare, so hats off to you guys.
I am done.
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Lengths are easy to post...it is a visual thing and comparing to surroundings. It's the weight guessing that cracks me up...LOL
But I am a woman, anytime someone thinks an item weighs more than it really does, is not a good thing around females...LOL
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No problem asking length! No need to apologize! Its just you know how things get on here sometimes when discussing length of fish.
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