The River: The Bighorn River begins its journey as the Wind River, by draining the southern Absaroka and northern Wind River Mountains. It winds through sage-covered prairie of the Wind River Indian Reservation to Boysen Reservoir. From there, the river becomes a tailwater and travels through the Wind River Canyon. This is a prime place to chase trophy-caliber rainbow trout and brown trout. Anglers come to the canyon chasing what might be the biggest fish of their lives. (important note: fishing on the reservation requires its own specific fishing license, a Wyoming fishing license is not valid here). Once the river departs the canyon and Wind River Indian Reservation, its name changes to the Bighorn. This location is called the Wedding of the Waters, a few miles southwest of Thermopolis, Wyoming. This is where our guide water begins.

The Fish: The Bighorn River offers opportunities to catch rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout with an average size of 15-22 inches, however, fish 24 inches and larger are not uncommon in this river. Although no fish of any size is ever guaranteed, this provides as high an opportunity as anywhere to land a giant trout. The river flows north into the basin, with the trout line between Thermopolis and Worland. Eventually, the river reaches Big Horn Lake (formerly Yellowtail Reservoir).

Conditions: Midges, sowbugs, and scuds are available forage year-round. Temperature permitting, winter months offer fishing opportunities for those able to find the appropriate winter holding water. The action picks up in March. Once temperatures consistently reach around 50°, blue wing olives (also known as B.W.O.s and Baetis) make an appearance. Caddis start hatching in late spring and cicadas in early summer offer an opportunity to throw large terrestrial dry fly patterns. June brings the hatch of the crayfish, the most crucial food source in the Bighorn River. The trout gorge on this calorie-packed food source, and it plays a major role in their ability to grow to consistently large sizes. Crayfish continue to be a key forage throughout the summer, along with tricos and Grasshoppers, until Fall arrives, hailing the return of the B.W.O. hatch and prime streamer fishing as the cottonwoods along the banks turn burnt orange.

The River: The North Fork of the Shoshone River (colloquially shorted to the "North Fork") drains the south slope of Lamar Peak in the North Absaroka Wilderness. It comes into contact with the North Fork Highway at the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. From there, it flows east along the highway through the Shoshone National Forest. This section offers dozens of D.I.Y. fishing opportunities with easy access. Once it leaves the forest, it flows through a 13-mile section of mostly private water until its confluence with Buffalo Bill Reservoir. This section is known as the lower North Fork. Full-day floating trips begin here at the forest boundary, while half-day trips launch in the town of Wapiti, WY. The North Fork is a fast river with numerous wave trains and rapids – but fret not, our guides are experienced on the oars and regularly run these stretches. We do, however, stress boater safety.

The Fish: The North Fork is a migratory fishery, meaning the fish inhabiting it run upstream from Buffalo Bill Reservoir to spawn and to feed. First entering the river in March, the fish make a journey to spawn in the numerous tributaries of the North Fork, draining the backcountry. On July 1, the entire river opens for business, but fishing conditions depend on that year’s runoff. The North Fork is a freestone river, and its flows are directly affected by the snowpack of the previous winter. In lower water years, the river may be clear prior to the July 1 opener, but high water years may keep the river dirty into mid-July. Often the river clears up between those periods, but moisture in April through June can also play a role in this. Once the river is open and fishable, we put clients on the water. The North Fork might be seasonal, but the wait is often worth the patience. Rainbows, cutthroat, and cutbows (a hybrid of cutthroat and rainbow trout) are the most common species found here, with the occasional large brown trout becoming more common every year. Because the fish run out of a lake loaded with biomass, their average size ranges 16-22 inches, with days of netting numerous 20-inchers not uncommon.

The Conditions: The river has little bug life compared to other streams in the area. There are some mayfly and caddis hatches throughout the summer, with stoneflies being one of the more common food sources. Generally, we fish large attractor nymph and dry fly patterns as a go-to, with the streamer bite being as consistent here as any fishery in the region. The peak of the summer run typically lands around July 15 - August 15, depending on the flows. During years of high water, fish will stay in the river later in the year, while years of low flows often send the fish back to the lake earlier. Fish can be caught in the North Fork as late as September and October, however, the per-mile count is lower than earlier in the summer. Although there are some resident fish in this river, it lacks the forage to sustain a year-round population, arguably adding to its charm as the end of its season leaves us dreaming of the next year. Looking like a backdrop of a western movie, the sheer beauty of the North Fork scenery is second to none.

**The North Fork is in dense grizzly bear country and requires extra precautions for bears. Travel in groups, make noise, and carry bear spray (and for those trained and able, carrying a firearm in an appropriate caliber is a valid option as well).

The River: The outflow of Buffalo Bill Dam begins the tailwater section of the Shoshone River and is one of the most prolific trout populations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We call this section the Lower Shoshone River, or the Lo-Sho for short. It starts in the Shoshone Canyon, flowing east of the town of Cody, Wyoming There are numerous wadable areas and boat launches through town. Once the river leaves Cody, it hooks north, flowing through agricultural lands and over numerous irrigation dams. The Lo-Sho flows past Powell and Byron, eventually dumping into Bighorn Lake joining the river system of the same name.

The Fish: The Lo-Sho has sections with fish counts estimated between 5,000-8,000 fish per mile, with a variety of trout species for anglers to target. Brown trout are the most prolific quarry throughout the river, and high numbers of cutthroat and rainbows are found as well. A tiger trout is not an uncommon bycatch either.

The Conditions: The Lo-Sho is stacked with bug life and forage for trout to eat. Caddis hatch between April and September, with significant B.W.O. hatches in the spring and fall, and golden stoneflies make an appearance in June and July. A typical year-round tailwater midge hatch occurs here as well, offering dry fly opportunities in the winter months if the conditions are right. Steamer action is consistent on the Lo-Sho for all 12 months of the year. Smaller streamers, such as a woolly bugger or a leech pattern, are a go-to on this river. The Lo-Sho, from an outflow standpoint, is unique for a tailwater. Tailwaters traditionally fish all year long with relatively clear water. This river provides consistent fishing conditions from late August to early May, with the fall and spring being particularly noteworthy. Summer, on this stream, is less predictable, and fishing opportunities varies depending on the year. Due to the intense runoff from the freestones entering Buffalo Bill, the outflow is often as dirty as the inflow in the spring. The soil content in the basin easily turns the river to chocolate after summer rain as well. To top it off, the irrigation demand downstream demands high summer flows long after runoff and is often maintained into September. For prospective anglers looking for a Lo-Sho adventure, this can still be a summer option, especially the lower sections, but is at its most consistent in the fall and spring when conditions are right, this river can offer catch-rates few others can. The Lo-Sho is a riot to fish, and we love floating clients down it. There are numerous full and half-day float options on this river. For those interested in a Lo-Sho adventure, give us a call. In the fall, this river offers cast-and-blast opportunities, meaning trout, chukars, and pheasants in one trip are not out of the question.

With the most combined wilderness in the lower 48, Northwest Wyoming offers more backcountry adventure opportunities than anywhere else in the country. The seemingly endless remote backcountry of the Absaroka, Beartooth, Wind River, and Bighorn Mountain ranges presents more fishing remote fishing opportunities than any angler could fish in one lifetime. Few places offer more genuine wilderness opportunities to fish mainstem rivers. Additionally, there are countless small streams and tributaries for all the blue-liners out there to explore. As a point of caution: backcountry and small stream fishing does not necessarily call for 2-4-weight rods, these streams can hold shockingly large fish and overly light tackle could leave an angler under gunned. Backcountry lakes typically ice off at all elevations by July. Lakes at elevations above 9,000 ft. can hold ice longer, depending on temperatures in the Spring. Search databases, such as the Wyoming Game and Fish, for stocking histories of high-mountain lakes. Opportunities to fish backcountry lakes in northwest Wyoming are so abundant it is impossible to cover it all here. Here is the best way to approach fishing the backcountry in our area: Put up a map of the region on a wall. Then, throw a dart at said map and find the closest blue spot, blue line, or both. Next, find the closest trail, research the bodies of water for helpful fishing information, pack a bag, and conduct an exploratory fishing operation. Once complete, repeat this process again. Unfortunately, we are not able to take clients into the backcountry because of permitting requirements. However, we are more than happy to help direct those interested in this endeavor to the right spots. We ask those who fish in these special and remote places to respect the uniqueness and secrecy accompanying it. The mystery, uncertainty, and exploratory nature of back country fisheries is a huge part of what makes this experience special.

**These areas require extra precautions for bears. Travel in groups, make noise, and carry bear spray (and for those trained and able, carrying a firearm in an appropriate caliber is a valid option as well).