Fly Fishing in Wyoming

Overview

Wyoming's five anchor rivers for fly fishing are the Snake, the North Platte, the Green, the Wind/Bighorn, and the Shoshone. Each peaks in a different month, holds different fish, and calls for a different approach. Knowing which water fits your schedule is most of the planning work. For broader trip orientation, the Wyoming Travel Guide covers regions, airports, and drive times across a wide-open state where rivers can be 200 miles apart.

The Snake River runs south through Grand Teton National Park and then bends west through Jackson Hole. The classic float reach runs from Pacific Creek near Moran Junction downstream to the Wilson Bridge, roughly 25 miles of braided channel. The target is Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout, a subspecies endemic to this drainage and found in almost no other river system in the world. Most anglers float it from a drift boat, reading undercut banks and logjams while casting dry flies during summer hatches. The grey drake, pale morning dun, and yellow Sally stonefly produce significant surface activity from late June through mid-September.

The North Platte is the other anchor, and it draws serious anglers from across the country for one reason: numbers of fish. Grey Reef is a tailwater that runs about 10 miles below Pathfinder Dam, reached via WY-220 roughly 40 miles southwest of Casper. Rainbow and brown trout feed aggressively on nymphs and midges year-round because the dam release keeps water temperature stable even in January and February. Below Grey Reef, the Miracle Mile is a free-flowing 5.5-mile reach between Pathfinder and Alcova reservoirs, one of the few places in the Lower 48 where a drift boat day can reasonably produce 20 or 30 trout.

The Green River below Fontenelle Dam, about 40 miles north of Rock Springs off US-189, fishes year-round for cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. The Wind River runs through a striking basalt canyon near Thermopolis before it officially becomes the Bighorn River at the Wedding of the Waters, a named confluence worth a stop. The Shoshone River east of Cody, below Buffalo Bill Reservoir, offers access within an hour of the Yellowstone East Entrance and fits naturally into any Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip.

What to Expect

Wyoming fly fishing centers on three species: cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Cutthroat are the state fish and tend to take dry flies readily, especially during summer hatch windows. Brown trout run larger on most Wyoming rivers and are the primary prize on the North Platte tailwaters and the Wind River Canyon. Rainbows dominate Grey Reef and the Fontenelle tailwater. All three species are catch-and-release on many stretches; check the Wyoming Game and Fish regulations for each specific river before you go, as rules vary significantly reach by reach.

Most of Wyoming's premier water is drift boat territory. The Snake, North Platte, and Green rivers flow through long, open valleys where walking the banks is impractical and covering water from a boat is the standard approach. Wade fishing is productive on smaller streams, on the upper reaches of most rivers before they widen, and on creek-fed tributaries in the Wind River drainage near Pinedale and Lander. One rule applies to wading everywhere in Wyoming: felt-soled wading boots are banned, so bring rubber-soled waders or plan to rent rubber-soled boots locally. Most outfitters provide waders, boots, rods, and flies as part of the guided trip package.

Best Season

The main window runs June through October, with the peak shifting depending on which river you're fishing. High-elevation snowmelt keeps the Snake River high and off-color through most of May and into early June in average snow years. By late June the water drops and clears, and dry fly fishing peaks from July through mid-September. October is prime for brown trout on the North Platte and Wind River, when fish feed aggressively ahead of the spawn. The crowds on the Snake are thickest in July and August, which is also when the dry fly fishing is best. September is the sweet spot: good hatches, fewer boats, cooling temperatures, and the start of fall color in the cottonwoods along the riverbanks.

The North Platte tailwaters fish well every month of the year. Grey Reef in January or February is cold work, but the fish are there and the river is empty. This makes the Casper-area North Platte a realistic winter destination for experienced anglers willing to deal with frozen guides and short days. The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam near the Wyoming-Utah state line holds stable water temperatures through August, when most Wyoming freestone rivers warm enough to stress fish. If the Snake is running warm in late August, the Fontenelle or Flaming Gorge tailwater is worth the drive south.

Typical Costs

A Wyoming non-resident fishing license runs approximately $14 per day or $92 per year (estimated current rates; verify at Wyoming Game and Fish before your trip). Residents pay around $4 per day or $27 per year. A conservation license is required in addition to the fishing license; budget an extra few dollars for that. Some waters require a separate stamp or have special gear restrictions, so downloading the current regulation booklet is worth the ten minutes it takes.

A full-day guided float trip for two anglers runs roughly $600 to $900 total (estimated range; prices vary by operator and river). Half-day wade trips typically run $350 to $500 for one or two people. Lunch is included on most full-day floats. Gear rental, including rods, reels, and waders, is available through most guide services. Some Wyoming dude ranches include guided fly fishing in their weekly package rates, which can be a cost-effective way to combine a ranch stay with quality fishing on private water.

How to Book

The best outfitters on the Snake River and North Platte book summer and fall dates six months to a year ahead. If you're planning a July or August trip on the Snake, or a September float on the North Platte, contact guides in December or January. Spring openings sometimes appear when cancellations come in, but counting on late availability on Wyoming's most popular reaches is a gamble. Most outfitters want a deposit to hold a date and require full payment 30 to 60 days out. Ask upfront about cancellation policies, especially if your trip depends on specific river conditions.

Browse our Fly Fishing Outfitters directory for operators across the state. In Jackson, Teton Floats runs guided Snake River float trips with strong reviews for guide knowledge and personalized service. JD High Country Outfitters on West Broadway in Jackson has been a local fly shop for years and matches anglers of all skill levels with appropriate water. Wyoming Anglers in Casper gets consistent high marks for Grey Reef and Miracle Mile float days, with guides who regularly put clients into fish counts that would be extraordinary anywhere else. Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing in Thermopolis covers float and wade options through the canyon. Great Outdoor Shop in Pinedale stocks local flies and can direct you toward productive access points on the Green River and New Fork. If fishing is one piece of a bigger trip, pairing float days with dude ranch stays or with hiking and backpacking in the Wind Rivers makes for a full week of Wyoming.