Island Park area
Leader is Stan Coon
PLEASE BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATIONS EARLY! Everything fills up quickly at this location.
We will plan on fishing the Henry Fork River, from the bank or a float trip down box canyon, Henrys Lake, the Ranch at Harriman State Park for those that really want a challenge.
There is also the option of going over to the Madison River in Montana.
Truely a fly fisher's destination area known for large rainbows and complex carpet hatches of mayflies and caddis that feed fast growing trout. This is an alpine playground of great beauty inhabited by a host of wildlife and waterfowl including Trumpeter swans. The long-term average on the Box Canyon stretch of the Henry's Fork is 3,304 trout per mile!
Target Species: Rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout, whitefish.
Drive time: 4.6 hrs., 316 miles to Henry's Lake.
Level of fishing difficulty: Easy to moderate. Hungry fish, often on dry flies including speckled and mahogany dun mayflies. Usually, this time of the summer dry flies will work including beetles, ants, renegades maybe hoppers but could be a little early for them. Also, a dry fly attractor with a dropper may also work. I will give a better breakdown about a week before the trip.
Accommodations: You must book accommodations early, months in advance.
Lakeside Lodge sits by Island Park reservoir. You turn left by the Phillips Elk Creek gas station and go west and turn south before you cross the bridge.
I have stayed there myself, and the current pricing for a one bedroom cabin is $185.00 per night. They have 2 queens, or one King for this rate. They also have a cafe and bar on site as well.
Sawtelle Mountain Resort is a nice place with motel like rooms, going for $157.00 per night. The resort is located just off highway 20 on the road to Sawtelle Peak.
I have stayed here as well. Connie's is right across the street and has good food and beverages.
The Pines is a nice place but expensive at $290.00 per night.
Drift Lodge is on Highway 20 on the way to Henry's Lake and has a Fly shop on the property as well. They have small cabins for $149.00 per night.
Timbers condos just off the road going to Big Springs has single bedroom units for $204.00 per night.
Rental Cabins are available in the area and range from $1200.00 dollars to $1700.00 or more for three nights. Bedrooms range from 4-6, and Bathrooms 2-3.5.
Springhill Suites, which will be very expensive in the fall, however they are right on the river and it is a very nice place.
Some of them note they can sleep up to 12 people or more, but you may be sharing a bedroom with someone else.
Campgrounds in the area are all good and again reservations should be made early. Henry's Lake State Park is a great place right on the lake and is extremely popular. Buffalo River campground is right on the Buffalo River, just off Highway 20 and near Ponds Lodge. Upper Coffee pot campground on Henry's Fork River. Big Springs campground is going through some renovation, but I suspect it will be done soon. This is a beautiful campground where I have stayed as well. The campground is right at Big Springs. Valley View RV has camping spots for RV’s just off highway 20 near the exit to Henry's Lake as you are going toward West Yellowstone. There is also Yurt camping at Harriman State Park.
Dining options: Cafe Sabor on Henry's Fork right across from Springhill Suites, Last Chance bar & Grill, Meadow Creek Lodge, The Lodgepole Bar & Grill, Island Park Lodge, Ponds Lodge, Trout Hunter, Connies as noted earlier and Lakeside Lodge as noted earlier.
Playmill Theater now has a new theater located in Island Park and will be playing this fall, The Foreigner, during the time we have planned for this trip. If anyone is interested you can book tickets later in March, at the Playmill Theater website. It has been a family tradition since 1986 to attend the Playmill theater plays in West Yellowstone and this would be a great evening of live entertainment after a day of fishing.
FALL 2026 "Back by popular demand! The Foreigner is a hilarious yet touching play set in a rural Georgia fishing lodge. Filled with humor, sharp wit, and an undercurrent of warmth, The Foreigner explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone
Access: Paved road with local dirt roads to access specific locations
Weather: Generally cooler and more comfortable than SLC.
Terrian: Bears, including grizzlies, can present. Please bring bear spray.
Wading difficulty: Moderately difficult. Wading staff recommended along with studded boots and/or felt bottoms that are still legal in Idaho. It is highly recommended that felt is sterilized before and after the trip.
