Is fishing taking a hit this season?

Idaho’s beautiful rivers and diverse terrain attract fishermen from around the world.

With scorching temperatures this summer and little rain, Local News 8 wanted to know if these expert anglers are still coming to the Gem State.

Yellowstone National Park has closed several of its trout streams this week, where fish are literally in hot water.

Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls, Firehole River below Keppler Cascades and Madison River are all off-limits to anglers, because in some places the water is more than 78 degrees.

But, it’s not all doom and gloom assome of Idaho’s rivers are still running cool.

Spencer Tall, a California native, fishes a section of the Henry’s Fork every summer.

He said, despite unusually hot weather, the water is still flowing strong and so are the fish.

“The bugs are a bit different this year and so are the flowers, but that’s the biggest issue,” said Tall.

Fish expert Kim Ragotzkie said the river in Fremont County is supplied by melting snow water. That, plus several years of a good moisture, beat out the heat.

“Actually our flows in the river are about 300 CFS higher than average, so we’re in a good situation this year. We hope the drought doesn’t continue though,” said Ragotzkie.

That draught is already starting to warm up some of the streams further south in Madison County, sending folks up to places like the Ashton boat dock.

Brandon Hoffner, executive director of the Henry’s Fork Foundation, said these rivers are the second biggest source of income for the region.

“The value of fishing here is about $29 million and that is outside money coming into Fremont county,” said Hoffner.

Until next year, it looks like the Henry’s Fork can live up to its reputation.

“We get folks from Tazmania, from Great Britain, from Australia, it’s pretty amazing,” said Hoffner.

According to Ashton lodge and guide reports, there has been no drop in anglers this season.

The stream closures in Yellowstone are temporary.