ISLAND PARK, Idaho — A longtime Island Park fly shop is celebrating five decades of helping anglers experience one of Idaho’s most well-known rivers.
Henry’s Fork Anglers is marking its 50th anniversary this week with a series of public events celebrating the business’s history, its guides and customers, and the Henry’s Fork itself.
The business first opened its doors in 1976 and has since grown from a small fly shop into a nationally recognized fly-fishing outfitter. Over the past 50 years, Henry’s Fork Anglers has guided visitors from across the United States and around the world, provided fly-fishing instruction and helped mentor generations of professional guides.
The business also says conservation and stewardship of the Henry’s Fork have remained an important part of its work through education and community involvement.
Store manager Katie Stroud says the anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the history behind the business while looking ahead to the future.
“To have been in business this long and to kind of be preserving this incredible area and that we get to make a living here. So we just want everyone to come celebrate with us, kind of appreciate the history that is the Henry’s Fork and how far we’ve come throughout the years, and just get excited about the next 50 years and where the fishing industry is headed.”
Anniversary celebration continues all week long:
Henry’s Fork Anglers’ week-long Golden Anniversary celebration began Monday and continues through Saturday, August 15.
The schedule includes seminars, panel discussions, photography instruction and fly-tying demonstrations. Evening programs are held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Henry’s Fork Anglers, with door prizes offered at each event.
On Tuesday, August 11, Current owner and fly-fishing expert Chris Lawson will present “Improving Your Fly Casting.”
The rest of the week includes:
- Wednesday, August 12: Fly Fishing Photography Using Your Smartphone, presented by Brian O’Keefe.
- Thursday, August 13: 50 Years on the Henry’s Fork, presented by Mike Lawson.
- Friday, August 14: Guides of the Decades, featuring guides representing five decades of fishing on the Henry’s Fork and surrounding waters.
- Saturday, August 15: Fly Tying Demonstrations, hosted by Hal Gordon and featuring regional fly tyers.
Henry’s Fork Anglers was founded by Mike and Sheralee Lawson in 1976. The business expanded its guide services throughout the 1980s and 1990s before being purchased by Mark Rockefeller in 1999. Mike and Sheralee Lawson continued managing the business during its growth.
In the 2000s and 2020s, Henry’s Fork Anglers expanded its guided fishing opportunities to include permits on the South Fork of the Snake River and the Teton River.
Today, Chris Lawson serves as general manager and outfitter, leading the business and its team of guides while continuing the tradition established by his parents.
The anniversary celebration continues through Saturday, August 15 at Henry’s Fork Anglers in Island Park.
