From the Henry’s Fork to the One Fly: A Legacy Comes Full Circle

Guest Article by Mike Lawson, Henry’s Fork Anglers

In early September, the Eagle Rock Wranglers, consisting of my youngest son, Chris, Mark Rockefeller (the owner of our business), Mike Engels, and Jonathan Lancaster won the 2025 Jackson One Fly event. It is a challenging accomplishment to finish at the top of the 40 team field.

It was great to have some skin in the game again. I felt part of the winning team because I shared some of my experience and knowledge, and I tied some of the flies that were used. It also brought back some cherished memories.

My first experience with the Jackson One Fly was in 1987, the second year of the event. We were still trying to get the Henry’s Fork Foundation off the ground and on the map. We accomplished a lot with our all-volunteer organization, but we quickly realized that it would take a lot more to meet our long-term goals and objectives. We needed exposure and money.

Mick Mickelson asked me to consider entering a team in the Jackson One Fly representing the Henry’s Fork Foundation. My first reaction was that he had lost his marbles. The entry fee was expensive, and we were striving to acquire money, not spend money. He said he would put up the money. Mick explained that the proceeds from the event would be given to the winning team to donate to the conservation organization of their choice. Our objective was not only to gain exposure, but also to lobby the winning team for a donation.

We invited Jimmy Gabettas, who was a founder and great asset in the organization of the Henry’s Fork Foundation. Mick also had a second objective. We were lobbying the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for catch and release regulations from the Box Canyon to Riverside Campground. There were 7 commissioners, 3 supporters of this proposal and three opposed. Mick’s friend, Lou Racine, an attorney from Pocatello was the chairman and was the swing vote. We felt the exposure with the Henry’s Fork Foundation and the One Fly might help him vote our way.

We didn’t have any illusions of winning the event. All of the fishing in 1987 was on the Snake in Wyoming. None of us had ever fished it. More importantly, Lou was a relatively inexperienced fly fisherman. Scoring depended on the other three of us but we didn’t expect to win anyway. Mick filled out the application, paid the entry fee, and we were in.

Guides and sections of the river were randomly assigned. Since we had no idea what we were doing, we left the fly selection up to the guide. The first day I used a Muddler Minnow. It worked great because I could fish it dry, wet or as a streamer. When we met at the end of the first day at the fundraising dinner, we were amazed to find that we were in first place. The second day we each fished a different stretch of the river. I used a Lime Trude that Jimmy tied. When we filed into the awards banquet at the end of the second day, we held the slim hope that lady luck would shine on us again. It literally took my breath away when I heard the announcement that the team from the Henry’s Fork Foundation won the event.

I’ve been a participant, a fishing guide, and I served two terms on the board of directors of the One Fly Foundation. I’ve been fortunate to have been a member of teams that won three championships, one second, and two third place finishes. I also have an individual championship trophy. My last championship trophy is from 2005, exactly 20 years since Chris won this year.

All of my awards are on attractive plaques except one that means more than all of the others combined. It’s an oak framed Lady Amherst Atlantic Salmon Fly with the inscription, 1st Place, Jackson Hole One Fly Contest, 1987.

We brought home enough cash to support our infant organization and reimburse Mick for the entry fee. Later that year the Idaho Fish and Game commission voted 4 to 3 for catch and release from Island Park Dam to Riverside Campground. Lou Racine has passed on while Mick, Jimmy and I remain strong and true to this great cause. We not only take great pride in being founders of the Henry’s Fork Foundation but also for our part in the long-standing relationship with the Jackson One Fly Foundation.

Today the Jackson One Fly Foundation continues its support for the Henry’s Fork Foundation and the South Fork Initiative. For more information check out the Jackson One Fly website at www.jacksonholeonefly.org.