In times past, this town was known as the end of the Cowboy Line, since the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, originally built to go on to Eureka, California or to Coos Bay Oregon, stopped at Lander and never went a bit further. Located on the middle fork of the Popo Agie River, Lander can boast being the first town to hold a “paid” rodeo, a tradition you can still enjoy every 4th of July. Set in the shadow of the majestic Wind River Range, it is surrounded by great fishing lakes, rivers and mountain fed streams. If you follow the Wind River up the canyon it becomes known as the Bighorn River, a favorite for those who are inclined to float.
Rated one of True West Magazine’s top 10 Western towns, many consider Lander to the undiscovered gem of the Rockies. Lodging in Landers is plentiful and diverse with motels, bed-and-breakfasts, inns, guesthouses, campgrounds and cabins in a range of price points. Should you tire of fishing, there are art galleries and art festivals, good shopping and any number of bars, restaurants and coffee houses. For those inclined to stick strictly to fishing, it’s nice to know that the world-record, golden trout, is said to have come from the Wind River.
- Expert guide
- Lunch for full day trips
- Snacks and beverages
- Flies, equipment such as rod/reel, waders/boots if needed, tippet/leaders
Hiring a guide is the best way to maximize your time fly fishing the Bighorn River. Consisting of some of the most courteous and hardworking guides in Montana, the Bighorn Angler guide ... morestaff is second to none. Each guide is a highly accomplished angler and fly fishing instructor whose only goal is to ensure you have the fly fishing trip of a lifetime! Our guide service is also the most flexible in Fort Smith, offering half day, full day and twilight guided fishing trips.
- Expert guide
- Lunch on full day trips
- Beverages and snacks
- Shuttle
- Flies, tackle and rod and reel if needed
The Bighorn River begins life as the Wind, flowing ESE out of the mountains of Western Wyoming, through the town of Dubois and the Wind River Indian Reservation. At Riverton the river ... moreabruptly turns North and begins to back up as Boysen Reservoir behind a 220 ft. dam built at the head of the beautiful Wind River Canyon. Emerging from the dam a river once more, the Wind flows through the Owl Creek Mountains, leaving the Wind River Basin.
As the river exits the canyon and spills into the Bighorn Basin, its name is changed to the Big Horn. One river, two names. It is here at Wedding of the Waters where we begin our adventures and float through the town of Thermopolis, home to the world's largest mineral hot springs.
A Dry Fly Paradise
Beginning in March, thick hatches of Midge & Blue Winged Olives bring trout to the surface after a long Winter of eating tiny nymphs. By late June, Tricos appear on the scene and hatch en masse every morning until October. It is common to see pods of rising trout 30 or 40 fish deep, making a flat piece of water look like a riffle. Several species of Caddis are available throughout the summer as well as terrestrials. The Blue Wings will make one more appearance in the Fall after the water has cooled.
3,000 Trout per Mile - Browns, Rainbows & Cutthroat
Fishing nymphs can be productive year-round but is best in late Winter or early Spring before moss becomes an issue. Average sized fish is 16-18 inches with many 20 inches and beyond. Streamer fishing can be hard work on this river, but the rewards often make it worth the effort.
Most fishing is done from the boat, as Wyoming Water Access laws limit anchoring and wading opportunities to certain sections of the river.
We can accommodate anglers of all abilities. All trips include flies (we tie 90% of the flies we use on guided trips), shuttle, terminal tackle, the use of a rod & reel if needed, and lunch on full day trips; half days include water and snacks. We practice catch & release of all Wild Trout.
We are First Aid/CPR Certified, Insured & Permitted Guides.
- Expert guide
- Lunch, snacks and beverages
- Flies, tippet, and leader
Undoubtedly our most popular and productive trip type, a Wyoming fly fishing float trip allows for the ability to fish miles upon miles of blue ribbon trout water accessible only by ... moreboat. Our private boat ramps on the North Platte River allow our guides for our Grey Reef float trips, to put in ahead of those using public boat ramps. This will help your guide stay ahead of any crowd to keep your experience private.
Our guided float trips are 7-8 hours on the water for a full day, or 3-4 hours on the water for a half day. We’ll pick you up or meet you at a convenient location with everything you need to have a successful day on the river. Our clean, comfortable boats seat two anglers and your experienced guide. Your guide will use his knowledge to put you in position on the best holes and runs on the river, making sure you’ve got the right flies at the right depth, and giving you tips on casting and keeping a proper drift. All you’ve got to worry about is having fun catching trout- no experience necessary! Full day trips will take a break halfway through the day for a riverside lunch on us!
Included: All fishing gear (rods, reels, tippet, flies, etc.), instruction, non-alcoholic beverages, and lunch for full day trips (Mar.16th-Nov.15th). Lunch’s can be added to winter trips(Nov.16th-Mar.15th) for $10 each. You are welcome to bring your own rods, we’ll rig ’em up to be trout slaying machines.
- Expert guide
- Lunch, snacks and beverages
- Flies, tippet, and leader
Undoubtedly our most popular and productive trip type, a Wyoming fly fishing float trip allows for the ability to fish miles upon miles of blue ribbon trout water accessible only by ... moreboat. Our private boat ramps on the North Platte River allow our guides for our Grey Reef float trips, to put in ahead of those using public boat ramps. This will help your guide stay ahead of any crowd to keep your experience private.
Our guided float trips are 7-8 hours on the water for a full day, or 3-4 hours on the water for a half day. We’ll pick you up or meet you at a convenient location with everything you need to have a successful day on the river. Our clean, comfortable boats seat two anglers and your experienced guide. Your guide will use his knowledge to put you in position on the best holes and runs on the river, making sure you’ve got the right flies at the right depth, and giving you tips on casting and keeping a proper drift. All you’ve got to worry about is having fun catching trout- no experience necessary! Full day trips will take a break halfway through the day for a riverside lunch on us!
Included: All fishing gear (rods, reels, tippet, flies, etc.), instruction, non-alcoholic beverages, and lunch for full day trips (Mar.16th-Nov.15th). Lunch’s can be added to winter trips(Nov.16th-Mar.15th) for $10 each. You are welcome to bring your own rods, we’ll rig ’em up to be trout slaying machines.
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- Expert Guide
- World-famous coffee cake and stream side coffee for full day trips
- Made-to-order lunch and beverages
Fish in breath-taking beauty and catch fish all day long! This is a fisherman’s dream come true as well as a photographer’s heaven come-to-earth. Enjoy a remote camp with abundant ... morewildlife-grizzlies, elk, deer, mountain lions to name a few! The food is out-of-this-world, you won’t eat better. Period. Catch great wild fish-Cutts, rainbow, browns, and brookies! (Wind River, mountain lakes, Snake, etc.) Full day trips include world-famous coffee cake, streamside coffee, make-to-order lunch, and a day of great fishing. Probably the best money you’ll ever spend for a great day Wyoming of fishing!
Notes
Trips do not include WY fishing license.
Days: On Mon, Jul 16 2018 - Mon, Jul 23 2018
The Wind River Mountains have the largest Golden Trout in the world. Catching golden trout is the pinacle in wild trout fishing, and for good reason. Pound for pound they fight better ... morethan any other trout. Secondly, they are the most beautiful trout imaginable. Pictures don’t do them justice. Lastly, they only reside in very remote high mountain pristine lakes. We’ll help you get this elusive fish checked off your bucket list.
TFC is the exclusive guide service for Chamley Outfitting LLC, the finest outfitter in Wyoming. Chamley Outtfitting LLC., has the greatest stock which have been trained to navigate the very rough terrain of the Windy’s. Each animal has been riden by their staff for 2 years or more before a guest ever will. They ensure each animal is very well behaved.
Trips are flexible and we now booking for 2016. Trips are all inclusive except Wyoming license. We eat well, and this trip is a trip of a lifetime!
All food/tents/gear/supplies etc., are packed in by horse. Base camp is a 4-5 hour ride located right between 2 beautiful lakes full of trout! A camp cook prepares all the food for a trip you will never forget!
Days: On Mon, Jul 16 2018 - Mon, Jul 23 2018
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Where does this river begin? This question remained unanswered well into the 19th century. In fact, the Wind River and the Bighorn River are one body of water artificially divided ... moreby two names. Because the river’s course is largely set by the surrounding mountain ranges, The Wind River Range that extends southeast to northwest along the continental divide and the Bighorn Range that rises east of Shoshoni and curves north to Montana, the river changes direction and appearance more than once during its long journey. Overhearing Native Americans describe this basin, mountain men, adventurers and mapmakers just assumed they were talking about different rivers.
Today the Bighorn River arbitrarily starts at the end of Wind River Canyon at a spot known as the Wedding of the Waters near the town of Thermopolis. From Thermopolis to about 20 miles below the Wind River Canyon, the river runs cold enough to support ample trout, with the best fishing actually beginning on the Wind River below the Boysen Reservoir, 15 miles upstream. Roadside access to this year round, world-class destination is unlimited as long as you obtain a Wind River Indian Reservation fishing permit.
One of the vagaries of Wyoming law is that landowners can own and control access to shorelines and riverbeds, making it illegal for anglers to wade or anchor in private water. Thankfully, most of the Bighorn River around Thermopolis is owned by the town, which provides many points of public access. You’ll be fine with the law if you wade upstream or down, as long as you stay below the high-water mark. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has designated several fishing access points and easements over private lands to provide public use of the river.
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