Fly Fishing Vacations

Cody, Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacations

Wyoming Fly Fishing Trips

Founded in the late 1800s by William F. Cody, aka “Buffalo Bill,” Cody, Wyoming, is the gateway to the East Entrance of Yellowstone Park. This charming Western town is located on the banks of the Shoshone River at the eastern edge of the Absaroka Range. Cody is surrounded by many lesser-known yet superb trout waters, vast wilderness areas, bountiful big game, rugged mountains, and sagebrush shrubland. 

The Wild and Scenic Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River and its small mountain tributary creeks are north of town. The river carves through the nearly impassible Clarks Fork Canyon before spilling out onto high desert sagebrush shrublands near Clark, Wyoming. Anglers ply its waters in search of a freshwater “Grand Slam,” which entails landing four trout species in a day – rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and cutbows. West of town, the magnificent North Fork of the Shoshone drains the Absaroka Range east of Yellowstone Park before flowing into Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Float trips on rafts combine fast-paced pocket-water fishing with breathtaking scenery and splashy whitewater drops. Rainbows, native Yellowstone cutthroats, and cutbows averaging 14” to 18” eat dries and droppers from the river’s swift currents. Southwest of Cody, the Shoshone’s South Fork flows from a mighty mountain canyon into a cottonwood and sagebrush-covered valley, sprawling across gravel bars en route to Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Native Yellowstone cutthroats and brown trout, averaging 14” to 18”, reside in the South Fork, feeding on its numerous hatches and terrestrials during summer. The main Shoshone River runs right through town, loaded with browns, rainbows, cutthroats, and cutbows. To the south are several smaller streams offering fantastic dry fly fishing for native Yellowstone cutthroats and smaller creeks with surprisingly large browns and cutthroats with an affinity for hoppers and other dry flies. And a little over an hour south of Cody are the blue-ribbon waters of the Bighorn River at Thermopolis.

Your base camp may be centrally located in Cody or outside of town. You may stay at one of the countless vacation homes, cabin rentals, bed & breakfasts, or rustic lodges and guest ranches.

Enjoy the western hospitality of downtown Cody, visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and check out the Cody Night Rodeo. Watch live music while enjoying a delicious burger and beverage at the Silver Dollar Bar. Dig into a buffalo ribeye at the Proud Cut Saloon, enjoy fine cuisine at The Local, or share a pie at Millstone Pizza Company & Brewery. Grab a cold beer from Pat O’Hara Brewing or Cody Craft Brewing. Finish the day with a nightcap at the Silver Saddle Saloon inside the historic Irma Hotel or drink and dance at legendary Cassie’s.

Cody’s cowboy lifestyle, diverse amenities, plentiful entertainment, outdoor recreational opportunities, and excellent fishing provide an authentic western experience on a Wyoming fly fishing vacation.      
Clarks Fork Yellowstone Guided Fly Fishing Trips
 
Shoshone River Guided Fly Fishing Trips
 
North Fork Shoshone River Guided Fly Fishing Trips
 
South Fork Shoshone River Guided Fly Fishing Trips
 
Greybull River Guided Fly Fishing Trips
 
Bighorn River at Thermopolis
Makes for a long day trip, consider staying in Thermop for a few days to soak in hot springs and enjoy the fishing.
 
Other Small Streams
 
Cody is a cowboy town surrounded by guest ranches, working cattle ranches, and wild country overflowing with recreational opportunities. It’s also a bustling tourist town flourishing with activities, events, festivals, concerts, and live music for your entire family and non-fishing partners to enjoy. 

Treat yourself to a massage, spa day, and peruse Cody’s many shops and galleries. Enjoy live music at the Silver Dollar Bar, The Colonel Venue & Cigar Lounge, or Cassie’s. Take in the Cody Nite Rodeo, Cody/Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls, or Jake Clark’s Mule Days. Allow ample time to check out the various museums inside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and visit the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center. Take your family to a chuckwagon dinner and live music show at The Cody Cattle Company or attend Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Spectacular Musical at the Cody Theatre. The Wild Bunch Gunfighters Show is performed during the summer outside the historic Irma Hotel, or you can shoot vintage western guns at the Cody Firearm Experience.

Take a scenic hike to the top of Heart Mountain or explore hundreds of miles of trails in the Shoshone National Forest. Rent an ATV to explore back roads around Cody, Cooke City, and Meeteetse. Take a day horseback ride at one of the many nearby guest ranches, mountain bike trails, or whitewater raft the Shoshone River. While fishing, non-anglers often enjoy riding along in the back of the boat, taking in the action, scenery, photographing, reading a book, and relaxing.

Guests often plan several extra days to enjoy other activities and explore the area in combination with their fishing trip. Visit Cooke City, Montana, and explore Yellowstone Park’s natural wonders. Take a scenic drive over Dead Indian Pass, through Sunlight Basin, and over the Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge, Montana. Or drive south to Meeteetse, buy some delicious goodies from the Meeteetse Chocolatier, and grab lunch and a cold one at the Elkhorn or Cowboy Bars. A bit further south is Thermopolis, where you can check out the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum and soak your muscles in one of the many hot springs. 

So, whether you’re fishing with a group of buddies, vacationing as a couple, or looking for a family destination, Cody has endless activities for everyone and excellent fishing!

Weddings, Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties 
Cody has many gorgeous wedding venues, including locations at remote and rustic guest ranches. The area provides plenty of activities and options for wedding guests, bachelor and bachelorette parties! Celebrate with a Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation for your guests, as exciting bachelor and bachelorette parties, or for your honeymoon! 

Family Reunions 
Are you planning a family reunion? Let us assist you with accommodations, meals and arrange a Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation for the whole family. 

Business & Corporate Meetings 
Are you looking for an attractive location for business meetings? Several accommodations are available with meeting facilities and media for large groups and events. We can help arrange your group’s accommodations, meals, transportation and plan corporate and business fly fishing retreats.

Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacations are a popular way to entertain important clients and are an excellent employee and sales reward.

Medical & Health Care Fly Fishing Retreats
Host continuing education and training events for business, medical, and health care parties, combined with Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacations.

Team Building & Leadership Fly Fishing Retreats
We partner with a professional facilitator for on-the-water outdoor leadership and team-building events. Why hold these indoors? Bond better with your team on the river on a Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation.
   
Clubs, Non-Profits & Hosted Trips
Are you a member of a club, a non-profit organization, a women’s group? Let us put together a Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation for your group! Involved in a fly shop or fly fishing business? Host a Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation.
Reserving Your Fly Fishing Vacation 
We recommend booking your Wyoming fly fishing vacation well in advance to ensure the best guides and accommodations. Guides and accommodations may be hard to reserve on short notice. A 50% deposit is required to finalize your Wyoming fly fishing vacation reservations. Please read the Terms and Conditions for complete details. 

Arrival & Ground Transportation
Upon arrival, your guide will pick you up, or ground transfers will take you to your accommodations. You may also choose to rent a vehicle. Having independent transportation allows more flexibility and freedom during your trip.  

Trip Expectations
We recommend arriving the day before your fishing begins. Upon arrival, you may purchase any last-minute provisions and settle into your accommodations. Relax, explore the town and local area, enjoy your favorite beverages and appetizers at a local saloon, and dine at one of the many excellent restaurants. 

Each day, after coffee and a delicious breakfast, you will make final preparations and drive to your fishing destination, where you will enjoy an exciting day of fishing and adventure. Most fishing locations are within an hour of your lodging, though some can be further. Expect to spend six to eight hours on the water fishing, taking in the scenery, watching wildlife and songbirds, photographing, trading jokes, and having a great time. Tasty lunches with non-alcoholic beverages are served on the water daily; feel free to bring any alcoholic beverages of your choice.

After a full day of fishing and adventure, return to your comfortable accommodations, perhaps stopping at a favorite watering hole on the way back. Back at your accommodations, clean up with a refreshing shower, relax and enjoy apres fishing. 

Then head out for some local “culture,” sample regional craft beers at a taproom or spirits at a local distillery. Indulge in a juicy ribeye steak, grab an elk burger, or enjoy a healthy salad for dinner. Wrap your day up with a nightcap and live music before settling in for a rejuvenating night’s rest. 

Rinse and repeat daily as you see fit.  

Meals 
You may choose to stay at all-inclusive lodges or other accommodations with onsite meals, or you may elect to sample the many local cafes and restaurants. Foodservice and beverage gratuities are included in all-inclusive package rates. You may prefer Fishing & Lodging only packages; meals and alcoholic beverages are not included.
 
Lunch, Snacks & Beverages
Shore lunches, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages are provided each day. 

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are included with meals in all-inclusive packages. Expensive wines and alcoholic purchases exceeding $100 per day will be billed to the client. All alcoholic beverages apart from meals are the responsibility of clients.

Since we do not have the proper licenses, we cannot provide alcoholic beverages for you during the trip, except when purchased from licensed establishments such as restaurants and bars. You may purchase alcohol to bring with you on the water and during your trip.
  
Cell Service & Internet
Many towns and locations in Wyoming have good cell phone reception. Other locations have spotty reception or no reception at all. Cell service is often spotty while driving due to the mountainous terrain, rolling hills, draws, and river bottoms.

Wireless internet connectivity is available in many locations and accommodations. Some accommodations do not have cell service or internet connectivity. Be sure to notify people of your potential unavailability and take care of all personal and business tasks beforehand. 
Sleeping Arrangements
Please let us know your lodging preferences for your customized Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation. Depending on availability, we may book the following accommodations for you.  

  • All-Inclusive Lodges 
  • Private Vacation Rentals
  • Cabins and Cottages
  • Bed & Breakfasts
  • Secluded Guest Ranches
  • Historic Hotels

*Rates may increase for upgraded premium lodging facilities and services.
Recommended Airports
Once you have confirmed your trip with us, you’ll want to make flight reservations as soon as possible.
We recommend flying into Cody, Wyoming (COD). You may also fly into Billings, Montana (BIL).  

Served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, United Airlines, and smaller carriers.  
 
Ground Transportation
Depending on your itinerary and preferences, your guide(s) may pick you up at the airport. You may also choose to rent a vehicle for greater flexibility and freedom during your trip. Major car rental companies are available at your arrival airport. We will work with you to finalize transportation details at the time of booking. 
 
Drive Times To and From Cody, Wyoming
Cody               5 minutes
Billings           1 hour, 50 minutes
 
Departure Details
Please book departing airline reservations for the day after your trip ends. We may book accommodations with shuttle services to your departing airport. Your guide(s) may also drop you off at the airport, depending on your itinerary. Ground transfers are also available to the airport if you do not have a rental vehicle.
All-Inclusive Fly Fishing Vacation Rates
4 Nights/3 Days5 Nights/4 Days6 Nights/5 Days7 Nights/6 Days
$3,195/person$3,995/person$4,795/person$5,595/person
Fishing & Lodging Only Fly Fishing Vacation Rates
4 Nights/3 Days5 Nights/4 Days6 Nights/5 Days7 Nights/6 Days
$2,495/person$2,995/person$3,495/person$3,995/person
  • Rates based on 2 anglers/guide, double occupancy
  • Contact us for Single Angler Supplement Rates
  • Rates may increase for upgraded premium lodging facilities and services 
  • Additional fees may be charged for private chefs and caterers
  • Fishing & Lodging Only Rates Do Not Include Transportation, Meals, or Alcoholic Beverages
Payment Options
A 50% deposit is required to finalize your reservation and is due within 10 days of booking your trip. We will invoice you by email, and upon receiving your invoice, you can choose to pay using the online ACH payment option. This option is a quick and convenient way to pay your trip deposit and finalize your reservation. 

Payment reminders will be sent by email for open invoices with remaining balances due, which can be paid using the ACH option. 

Deposits and final payments can be paid with bank wire transfers, credit cards, or mailing checks payable to Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters. A 3.5 % convenience fee is assessed for all credit card transactions. Please contact us if you prefer cash or other payment forms. 

Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters Payment Options
  • ACH Online Payments – U.S. financial institutions and bank accounts only
  • Personal & Business Checks* - U.S. financial institutions and bank accounts only
  • Electronic Wire Payments - wiring fees are the responsibility of the client
  • Credit Cards – 3.5% Convenience Fee applied
  • Cash
  • International Payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.
*Client will be billed all associated costs for returned checks. The client will have 7 days to reimburse Greater Yellowstone Flyfishing Outfitters for returned check costs and provide an alternative form of payment; otherwise, trip reservations will be cancelled, and all deposits and payments will be forfeited.  
Included
  • Accommodations
  • Transportation & Airport Pick Up and Drop Off* 
  • All Meals, Snacks, Appetizers & Associated Gratuities**
  • Alcoholic Beverages with Meals**
  • Lunch, Snacks & Non-Alcoholic Beverages on the river**
  • Fishing Guides – 2 Anglers/Guide
  • Flies & Terminal Tackle
  • Rods & Reels – If Needed
  • River Shuttles

Not Included
  • Airline Flights
  • Rental Car (Optional)*
  • Additional lodging and meals beyond your scheduled trip
  • Upgraded Premium Lodging
  • Private Chefs
  • Catering
  • Fishing Licenses
  • Gratuities for Fishing Guides, Private Ground Transfers
  • Rental Waders & Boots - If Needed
  • Personal Expenses & Incidentals
  • Personal Items – See Gear List PDFs Below
  • Park Entrance Fees

*We may arrange private ground transfers between the airport and your accommodations. You may also rent a vehicle for greater flexibility and freedom during your trip. Transportation is not included in Fishing & Lodging Only rates. We will work with you to finalize transportation details at booking. 

**All meals, snacks, appetizers, alcoholic beverages with meals, and associated gratuities are included in all-inclusive packages. Meals, appetizers, and alcoholic beverages are not included in Fishing & Lodging Only packages. Alcoholic beverages are not included on the river, but you may bring your own.
Our guides work very hard to ensure an enjoyable trip, and we encourage you to tip accordingly. Fly Fishing Vacations and Road Trips require significant time, additional work, and numerous logistics by your guide, which go well beyond a typical day trip. We suggest an appropriate gratuity from $150-$200/day/guide for these reasons. However, an excellent day of fishing, a memorable event, or extra effort on the guide's behalf may deserve more. Please consider that our guides work harder when fishing is slow or during adverse weather. Cash gratuities should be given directly to your guide daily or upon finishing multi-day trips.

Many variables beyond our control, such as weather, wind, barometric pressure, water temperatures, and fish behavior, influence the day's fishing. While fishing is a highlight of your trip, there are numerous ways to enjoy your fly fishing vacation. Please align your expectations with the conditions and your abilities. No expectations, no disappointments!

Clients frequently invite guides for drinks or dinner after fishing. Socializing is a great way to celebrate the day's events, plan the next day, and connect. While guides always appreciate the generosity, buying drinks and dinner are not considered part of or in lieu of gratuities. Socializing extends a guide's long and physically demanding day. Time is required before and after each day's trip for preparing, organizing, and cleaning. 

Please let us know if you have any comments or concerns about your trip.
Trip Insurance
We realize these trips are expensive, and much is at stake financially. For this reason, we highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance in advance. Unforeseen circumstances arise, and travel insurance is very reasonable should you have to cancel your trip for any reason. We recommend Travel Guard Travel Insurance and Global Rescue Insurance to protect your financial investment, which may cover trip cancellations for any reason. For more information or to purchase Trip Insurance, please visit Travel Guard or Global Rescue.
To receive complete coverage options and benefits, be sure to purchase travel insurance within 15 days of paying your deposit.

Medical Evacuation Insurance
We recommend Global Rescue’s worldwide medical evacuation and extraction services if you become ill or injured during your trip or due to natural disaster, COVID-19, and other reasons. Due to the remote nature of many of our trips, potential challenges receiving immediate professional medical help, and limited cell coverage, we highly recommend purchasing medical evacuation insurance along with your trip insurance. 
For more information or to purchase Medical Evacuation Insurance, please visit Global Rescue.
The Sphinx, Madison Range

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