Photo courtesy of Tom and Terri Rossi
As scientists, we know that cold, clear water is crucial for trout. But what if it could do more than sustain life—it could heal?
Tom and Terri Rossi discovered the magic of the Henry’s Fork on their very first visit. So much so, that when they adopted an energetic Australian Shepherd, they knew his name had to be “Henry’s Gone Fishing”—or simply, Henry. But Henry wasn’t just a playful pup. He had a genetic condition that caused seizures. After some research, the Rossi’s learned that cold water could stop a seizure. And so, Henry became a dock diving dog—a natural athlete who leaped into water after a toy, quickly making friends wherever he went. If anyone asked where Henry was, the answer was always, “Henry’s Gone Fishing.”
This story of Henry highlights something we all know: time spent in and around water offers more than just beauty—it offers healing. When we fight for places like the Henry’s Fork, we’re not just preserving a landscape; we’re protecting the profound, life-giving benefits it provides to both animals and humans alike.
That’s why the Henry’s Fork Foundation is working tirelessly to protect this treasured river through the DIRTT Plan (Developing Infrastructure to Reduce Temperature and Turbidity). This groundbreaking initiative combines innovative engineering and nature-based solutions to tackle the river’s toughest challenges and ensure it remains a healing force for generations to come.
The DIRTT Plan will help:
The Henry’s Fork isn’t just a river—it’s a source of healing for body, mind, and spirit. With your support, we can ensure that it continues to heal for years to come.
I know my last blog post left you on the edge of your seat. Today I’m going to answer the question that has doubtlessly been on everyone’s minds: did I catch a fish? Let me tell you, it was getting down to the wire. I’d been out many times with the incredibly patient Claude, to no avail. Not even a bite. Claude’s patience was really commendable as I stubbornly, astoundingly refused to improve.
As my time here at the foundation wraps up, I have been doing a lot of reflection. As such, I have concluded that the amount you can learn in one summer internship is unrivaled. It can range from scientific technical skills to office interpersonal skills, and anywhere in between. Some things are self-explanatory, and some are learned through trial and error. This range is what makes internships so valuable. I’ve compiled a list of the
Putting in the hours. Credit: Estelle Edwards Fish are omnipresent. Whether Claude’s talking about his latest catch, an angler is asking me what fly to use (I don’t know), or I’m taking Utah suckers out of gillnets, I am drowning in fish… but I have never caught one. I have yet to be blessed with a bite on a Parachute Adams, Zebra Midge, or Montreal Whore, but thanks to fishing-adjacent research experiences, I’ve gotten a
I grew up fishing on the North Carolina coast. From flounder and speckled trout (not actually in the trout family) deep in the creeks to Spanish mackerel and bull redfish right off the beach, all the way out to what feels like the middle of the ocean trolling for king mackerel and cobia, I loved the wide variety of fish. One sunny July morning a few summers back, my dad and I headed offshore in
