Next Steps in Island Park, ID

What's next on the A-Bar property.

By: Fly Rod and Reel

We could call this a recessionary tale. In 2008, WorldCast Anglers initiated the purchase of the A-Bar property from Korre Thompson and LoAnne Strandburg. The company, which had earlier purchased the Hyde Outfitters property across the highway from the A-Bar and now operates a fly shop at that location, had plans to keep a version of the A-Bar open, the goal being to preserve the much-needed social nucleus of Island Park—fly-fishers looked forward a little A-Bar time after a day on the Henry’s Fork. WCA (worldcastanglers.com) also offers outfitting services on the Henry’s Fork, Teton and South Fork of the Snake, as well as in Yellowstone Park.

“Before we bought the A-Bar in the winter of 2008, I was a frequent visitor to both the Henry’s Fork and the bar. I was fortunate to experience the aura and allure of the A-Bar. The tradition and the role that the A-Bar played in the unique community of Island Park—and the community of Henry’s Fork enthusiasts—is what got me interested in becoming a part of the business…. The location was interesting, but it was that aura that was intriguing to me,” says Geordie Gillett, managing partner of WorldCast Anglers (WCA). “Our presence in Island Park was imminent so we were asking, ‘How do we proceed with this?’ The A-Bar had been on the market for a while, and it had the liquor license, room to expand—not crazy expansion, but room for cabins and maybe to put in a deck with a view of the river.

“We found electrical problems and other concerns, so we saw that renovating would be much more work than re-building. And in good conscience we just couldn’t re-open the A-Bar with the building concerns we had,” Gillett continues. “We probably spent about the first two months (of ownership) trying to retrofit the place but when you have roof issues and electrical issues you almost have to start from scratch.”
The recession put re-building plans on hold, and the A-Bar now sits closed. “We got jammed up on the timing. It hurts even more to see it closed being a fan and knowing the role the A-Bar played in the community and the symbolism of it. We want to get going as soon as possible and honor what the place represented,” Gillett says.

One possibility is a temporary watering hole in the Hyde building across the street. “We have a liquor license,” Gillett says, “and we’ve talked about a low-key kind of place where we’d tap a keg and people could just hang out. An informal bar to maintain some kind of continuity. Maybe we’d call it ‘Plan B?’ One way or another, we’re going to do something.”

That something will lean toward the understated and unobtrusive, Gillett stresses, not a mega-lodge. “It’s all about traditions, friends, nature—and then you have the Henry’s Fork. We’re really glad to be a part of it,” he says.

—The Editors

Purchase issue »

A-Bar

Submitted by CalderaGal on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 23:57.

As a year round resident of many years, I do not share the same view of the A-Bar. I think there are many locals who were happy to see it close down and grateful that many events that were held there are now held in places that are more comfortable and smoke free. As a lover of the river, I always thought it weird that the A-Bar did not have a great view of the river.A lso, the A-Bar staff were not fly fishers.

Please check out the Trouthunter Lodge. The staff is friendly and they love the river and promote stewardship of the fishery. They are all excellent fly fishers. They are extremely generous and active community members. The menu is awesome, from burgers to fish to steaks. Fresh and well prepared. The stone patio has a great river view.

Locals would love to see the A-Bar torn down. It is an eyesore.

In response to CalderaGirl's comment...

Submitted by Vicki Huttinger (not verified) on Sun, 01/24/2010 - 22:29.

CalderaGal,

I find your opinion of the A-Bar to be very biased and one sided.

I was a long time employee of the A-Bar, and I can tell you many things in your comment were in fact untrue. No, the A-Bar owners were not fly fisherman, but they did have an appreciation for fly fishing. You cannot live in this area and not appreciate the impact of fly fishing on the community.

In my time at the A-Bar, I can tell you that there were plenty of employees that did enjoy fly fishing. Just because it is not a persons main focus does not mean that they are not interested. Another question that I have to ask is do you have to have a patio to have a great view of the river? I watched many beautiful sunsets, wildlife, and other beautiful scenery through the windows of the A-Bar. While I feel that having a patio is nice, I don't feel that I was slighted by not having access to one.

Another thing that you have said that I find to be untrue is "Locals would love to see the A-Bar torn down. It is an eyesore." I have spoken to many, many people in the two years since the A-Bar has closed, both local, and tourists and the general consensus is that yes people aren't happy to see it sit there—closed. Most people that I have talked to, find it sad to see it sit there vacant. They seem to miss what it used to be. I will not deny that the building itself is in need of major help, and maybe the only way to do so is to start from scratch, I'm not sure. I am neither an engineer nor a carpenter.

Another question for you that I have is, is your comment your opinion, or an ad for the Trouthunter Lodge? I myself have no issues with The Trouthunter, or any of its employees, I have had plenty of enjoyable times in there too, so I don't want this to be taken as a "Trouthunter bashing" because it's not. If my opinion of the identity of CalderaGal is correct and I believe it to be so I wonder how she formed her opinions of the A-Bar and the people that worked there when in my time there (close to a decade) I only saw her in there a handful of times (most often for the various events held at the bar) in which she never once tried any of the food, or really tried to get to know any of the staff.

I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however I wanted to try and make some of the facts a little more clear.

Vicki Huttinger

sniff....

Submitted by whitefish ed (not verified) on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 00:56.

There's a lot in Island Park that could be considered an eyesore. So what? That's part of the charm of the place..and the A-Bar was the epitome of ambiance for many of us fly fishing types. Even for someone like me who just reeks and exudes so much class, that sometimes I can't stand myself. So there…

I could give a rodent's rear if it had a patio or not. It's who occupied the patio or not. Over the decades, I've made numerous wonderful friends in that place from all over the world…with many becoming like 'family', including many from the Trouthunter. I learned a lot about fishing bent over that silver dollar bar, and had a helluva lotta fun too!! Guess you had to be there…shrug…

Thank you A-Bar…ya eyesore dump. When I heard the joint closed, and then stopped by and looked inside at the emptiness…a chunk of me died. A HUGE chunk.

But…I was fortunate to fish the Fork during the A-Bar's time..and for that I will forever be grateful with the fond memories made there, and with the great people I blabbed with over the years.

I feel sorry for those who now visit the Fork and will not be able to experience the great times and fun to be had in that wonderful waterhole. Nor a cup of day old yummy chili after a night on the stream. Nor a lip smacking chocolate sundae and a cold beer on a hot July day…truly sad…

A-Bar

Submitted by Hells Angler (not verified) on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 16:22.

I fished the Henry's Fork in Last Chance from 1981 through 2002, and I've been a regular at the A-Bar every summer since Larry and Helen Thompson opened the place.

It didn't make any difference whether they were flyfishers themselves because they understood and did a great job of serving the flyfishing community. Our little group of Hell's Anglers that was formed there in 1983 used to gather annually for great fishing, from seasons for Caddis, PMDs, Stoneflies and the fabulous Green Drake Hatches in June and July. Even some fine terrestrial fishing in the autumn, when you never knew if it would snow or not. And the A-Bar was the one place we all came back to for a cold beer or a bowl of warm chili or other good food served by a whole family of people, Thompsons and others, who always made us feel like we were family.

I miss the place more than I can say and am sorry to hear that it's just sitting there closed and in disrepute. I wish I knew if my two silver dollars were still embedded in the horseshoe bar; I'd love to have that bar. Too many good times, with a lot of good friends, both from the larger Island Park area and from states far away. It was a wonderful place because of the wonderful people who ran it.

It distresses me to hear people knock it. Yes, I probably wouldn't like a smoke atmosphere in any bar today, but that's no reason to diss the great people who owned it and the wonderful crews who worked there over the years. I realize I may miss it because I'm getting older, but boy those were good times.

If we start looking at the

Submitted by paula (not verified) on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 10:07.

If we start looking at the human-built object from the point whether they are an eyesore or not, then 80% of all the buildings in America need to be torn down. A-bar made some people happy and that's what we need in this stressful life.