Fly Fishing Wyoming's Wind River Country

Bitterroot Dude Ranch

There are some excellent opportunities to fly fish for trout on our own private stream, in our stocked ponds and in neighboring lakes and streams. The Dubois area gets much less fishing pressure than Jackson Hole or almost anywhere in states like Montana, Colorado and Idaho. The East Fork of the Wind River runs through the ranch for over a mile and holds many cutthroat trout between 8 and 14 inches although they have been caught up to 20. Our private stream is for catch and release only.

For five miles above the ranch the stream flows through a steep, spectacular gorge lined by rocky cliffs towering over a thousand feet above the stream in places. The only reasonable access to most of this gorge is from our ranch so that it is also virtually our private water. Below the ranch the stream enters another gorge which is not as steep for three miles where there are some lovely pools. We also have two stocked ponds with rainbow trout up to five lbs. which are ideal for practicing fly casting and learning to play large trout. I usually fish with my guests two or three times a week if they wish and can give some instruction.

Fishing the East Fork of the Wind River on the private water of the Bitterroot Ranch.

In most years there is a heavy snow melt in the mountains in late May and June. The East Fork will usually clear up enough for good fly fishing about the last week in June. Bear Creek to the west of us is about a two hour ride away and is a fine little trout stream. A remote section of the Wiggins Fork can be reached by four wheel drive in about 45 minutes from the ranch. It holds brown and brook trout as well as cutthroat and a few of them reach 20 inches. The main Wind River is quite big water and holds some very large trout. It is usually best after the middle of July.

On the south side of the Wind River Valley most of the streams stay clear all year. Torrey Creek is about a 45 minute drive from the ranch. It connects three beautiful lakes which are up to a mile long and hold some fine rainbows and browns. I have caught fish up to ten lbs. in Torrey Lake.

The 2 million acre Wind River Indian Reservation adjacent to our ranch has some fine trout water. A special permit is required costing about $25 for a day. This discourages most of the locals and the water is lightly fished. Bull Creek, Dinwoody Creek and the Indian part of the Wind River are within an hour's drive or less. Bull Creek tail water below the reservoir holds many impressive browns, some over 20 inches, which are often hard to land on a 5x leader where the current is swift. The fish sometimes rise sporadically for hatches which are hard to identify and it can be extremely frustrating. They sometimes take flies like a parachute Adams in 20 or 22 voraciously.

Leon Sanderson's guide service has given many of the Bitterroot's guests wonderful days of fishing.

With the exception of Bull Creek, I feel that the presentation is often more important than having just the right pattern. All the classical ones like a royal Wulff and a hare's ear nymph seem to work well here at times. I have hooked more large trout on a woolly bugger than any other. The terrestrials can also be extremely effective, particularly grasshoppers. A two or three weight rod is fine for the smaller streams, but a six is an advantage in bigger water. Waders are almost a necessity in the bigger streams, but hip boots are enough in the smaller ones. The water can be pretty cold without boots.

Bayard enjoys going fishing with ranch guests several days a week with no charge and can always give them advice as to the best places to fish. For those who are especially serious about fishing and want expert guides we recommend going with Leon Sanderson who is the best guide in Upper Wind River Country. His guide service is called Wishin' I was Fishin', 307-455-2778.

Non-rider Discount
There is a large discount for non-riders. Those who come primarily to fish will have more flexibility if they bring a car.

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