Lessons Learned on the South Fork

Home » Blog » Lessons Learned on the South Fork

Time flies when you’re having fun—something I’ve heard too often, especially as of late. And although it’s a cliché, this summer has proven that phrase true. My 10-week South Fork Initiative internship has flown by faster than ever. Soon, I’ll no longer be at Conant boat ramp, but driving 40 hours home to Northern Maine. And as I look back on my time spent in Idaho, I have so many great memories to reflect on! With memories, though, come lessons. Not only have I learned some new ones, but others have been reinforced through experiences out West. That being said, here are some of my favorite lessons learned on the South Fork.

Don’t Fear Rejection!

During my time at Conant Boat Ramp working on our outreach program, Morning Bites, my mentor Devan encouraged me to reach out to people first. Although this method started out slow, it became second nature by the end of the summer. Over time, I found myself more and more comfortable communicating with people I had never met before. Not only did I enjoy it, but it also allowed me to effectively spread information about the South Fork Initiative. By the end of my internship, I felt confident in my communication skills and had made so many connections through Morning Bites! One of my favorite parts of my internship has been just that: meeting new people and learning what has brought them to the South Fork.

Of course, not everyone will want to hear about the South Fork Initiative. Some are beyond eager to get out on the river and start fishing—and that’s okay! I’ve learned that with communication comes rejection. But rejection shouldn’t stop you from doing your job. It shouldn’t shut down the idea of doing something you enjoy. Recognize it, and move on!

Walking in Waders...

Moving swiftly on, I don’t recommend walking long distances in waders… in Harriman State Park… or anywhere above water.

When tasked with the maintenance of seven temperature loggers, fellow intern Dela and I made the mistake of leaving our hiking boots in the car. A few loggers later, we found ourselves with blisters and sore feet. Although this occurred on the Henry’s Fork, I figured I’d share. Lesson learned!

Explore!

Before my internship began, I worried that my summer would be boring or lonely. As I mentioned in my last blog post, Swan Valley is small. I pictured myself living in a trailer alone and wondered what I would end up doing for my 10 weeks away from home. But as it turns out, there’s so much to see! Ten weeks is not nearly enough time to explore everything I wanted see.

That being said, if a future SFI Intern is reading this, I recommend wasting no time and exploring as soon as possible. Take advice from the locals, be safe, and try new things! Time will fly by, and before you know it, it’ll be your final week of your internship. Make it a summer to truly remember!

Spend Time with People Who Make It Worth It

I’ve fallen in love with the scenery that the West has to offer. I love the rivers, the mountains, the big sky, and everything in between. But as my internship winds down, I can’t help but notice the time I’ve spent around great company. I’ve learned that it’s not all about where you are, but who you’re with—and who you choose to spend your time around.

Connecting back to the first lesson, I’ve made so many meaningful connections this summer that have made my time out West one to remember. Swan Valley is small, but not once did I ever feel alone. Thank you to all who made this possible for me.

Soon, I’ll begin my sophomore year at St. Lawrence University, where I’ll continue to pursue an Environmental Studies and Business double major. What’s in store for me next summer? I have no idea. But until then, time will continue to fly.

intern

Recent Posts

Research and Monitoring

How to Train Your Aquatic Vertebrate

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

Tate Sargeant August 7, 2026

Intern

A New Way of Fishing

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

Claude Morris August 7, 2026

The blue water of Island Park Reservoir under a blue sky with a single white cloud. Sawtelle sits in the background and you can see rocky edges of the reservoir as the water levels have dropped.

Research and Monitoring

Summer 2026: Water Quality Reflection and Forecast for Island Park

Photo of Island Park Reservoir, taken July 31 2026 Summer 2026 is the Henry’s Fork Foundation’s 11th summer monitoring conditions in Island Park Reservoir, and we continue to learn something new even a decade later. This summer’s lesson? How rain and high outflow disrupt algae blooms—maintaining clear water, for longer. The Weather Event At the end of June, data from HFF’s weekly monitoring on Island Park Reservoir showed that algae growth was creeping up and

Christina Morrisett August 4, 2026

South Fork

SUMMER ON THE SOUTH FORK

It’s no secret that the Henry’s Fork is a river of grandeur. To those that fish it, it is like a church – a sanctuary that breathes fly-fishing legend. However, the South Fork quietly rumbles in the distance, with striking beauty, and equally legendary status. The South Fork’s deep, ripping currents, and plugging canyon walls hold many anglers fish of a lifetime. However, beyond trout fishing, it is the community deeply rooted in the waters

Patrick Nardi July 23, 2026