Dubois, Wyoming
Fly Fishing Vacations

Wind River Guided Fly Fishing Trips
The Bighorn River begins as the Wind River, rising from Togwotee Pass near Brooks Lake west of Dubois, Wyoming. The river flows 460 miles through Wyoming and Montana, through a varied landscape ranging from tumbling mountain headwaters to desolate sagebrush badlands and the spectacular Wind River and Bighorn Canyons. From its headwaters downstream just shy of Thermopolis, Wyoming, the river is named the Wind River. Native Americans, mountain men, and early explorers called the river the Wind from its source downstream through the Wind River Canyon. Below the canyon, it was called the Bighorn River. The Wedding of the Waters is a demarcation below the Wind River Canyon where the river changes names from the Wind to the Bighorn. The Bighorn River, the largest tributary to the Yellowstone River, flows through Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin into Bighorn Lake. Emerging from Yellowtail Dam in Montana, the river flows through the Crow Indian Reservation before eventually spilling into the Yellowstone River. 

Wind River Lake feeds into the trickling headwaters of the Wind River near Togwotee Pass. The small creek gains momentum from rushing, snow-fed tributaries draining the Absaroka and Wind River Mountains. Its upper reaches twist through subalpine meadows, fir and spruce forests, and willowed marshes with sweeping bends and gravel bars. Riffles drop into beautiful holes and deeper runs with grassy cutbanks. Shiras moose browse willow thickets, elk herds graze mountain meadows, and bighorn sheep frequent templed cliffs. Trophy golden trout swim the icy waters of cirque lakes and streams high above the treeline in the Wind River Mountains.

The Wind River doubles in size upon entry of DuNoir Creek from the north, draining the towering buttresses of Coffin Butte and The Ramshorn. The surrounding country transitions from lodgepole pine forests into rolling sagebrush-covered hills. Below Dubois, the river accelerates through crowded rock gardens and brushes against badland bluffs before cascading over tightly constricted rapids lined with massive granite boulders in Fish Canyon. The Jakey’s Fork and Torrey Creek tumble into the river from the south, draining the high peaks and lakes of the Wind River Range, plunging over waterfalls on their descent. Red cliffs rise above the river as the East Fork enters from the north, draining the peaks of the Absaroka Range via the Wiggins Fork, Frontier, and Emerald Creeks. 

The upper Wind River contains a mix of native Yellowstone cutthroats, rainbows, cutbows, browns, and brookies. The headwaters above DuNoir Creek have excellent fishing for colorful brook trout with occasional other species. Larger cutthroats, browns, rainbows, and cutbows increase in abundance below DuNoir Creek and Dubois, as feeder creeks and warm springs add to the river’s volume and richness. PMDs, tricos, caddis, drakes, stoneflies, and terrestrials provide ample dry fly fishing. The upper Wind River contains trout in the 10” to 16” class, with enough larger trout to keep anglers’ attention. Wade fishing requires careful execution on the rounded boulders and slippery bottom. During periods of higher flows, float trips in rafts are possible in some sections.

Tributaries provide excellent small stream wade fishing opportunities. Grassy cutbanks, braided gravel bars, rugged canyon pocket-water, and emerald pools hold a variety of trout species, ranging from pan-sized to 18” plus.   

Dubois is a remote western mountain town surrounded by a vast country offering exceptional outdoor recreational activities. Check out Dubois’ art galleries, trading posts, and shops and attend various exhibitions and workshops. Tour the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, Dubois Museum & Wind River Historical Center, or the National Museum of Military Vehicles. Watch locals compete in chariot and horse pack races, attend the weekly town rodeo, and listen to cowboy poets and balladeers at the High Country Cowboy Gathering. Celebrate Dubois’ cowboy heritage with shootouts, whiskey tasting, blacksmith demonstrations, and country music at the National Day of the Cowboy in July. Dance to live music at the Outlaw Saloon and Rustic Pine Tavern, where you can participate in a weekly square dance.

Mountain bike or take scenic hikes and horseback rides exploring hundreds of miles of trails in the Washakie and Fitzgerald Wilderness Areas of the Shoshone National Forest. Rent an ATV to explore the nearby remote country on back roads, check out teepee rings near town and visit Whiskey Basin’s prehistoric petroglyphs. Non-anglers often enjoy tagging along, 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 Jackson Hole and explore Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Take a scenic drive up Union Pass or to South Pass and Atlantic City at the southern end of the Wind River Range. Take a mid-day break with lunch and craft beers at Cowfish or Lander Brewing in Lander, Wyoming. Browse Native American artwork and jewelry or watch native dance celebrations at a powwow on the Wind River Indian Reservation. 

Whether you’re fishing with a group of friends, vacationing as a couple, or looking for a family destination, Dubois has plenty of unique activities, superb scenery, and excellent fishing!

Dubois remote and rustic guest ranches and lodges are perfect for western weddings. The area provides plenty of activities 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! 

Let us help you plan an all-inclusive Wyoming Fly Fishing Vacation for your family reunion. 

Are you looking for an attractive location for business meetings? 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.

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

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.

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. 

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.  

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, 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 regional craft beers and cocktails at a western saloon. 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.  

You may choose to stay at all-inclusive lodges or guest ranches, or you may sample 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.

Shore lunches, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages are provided each day. 

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.

  

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. 

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.  

*Rates may increase for upgraded premium lodging facilities and services.

Once you have confirmed your trip with us, you’ll want to make flight reservations as soon as possible.

We recommend flying into Jackson, Wyoming (JAC) or Riverton, Wyoming (RIW).

Served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, United Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines.

Served by United Express Operated by Sky West Airlines.

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. Car rental companies are available at your arrival airport. We will work with you to finalize transportation details at the time of booking. 

Jackson                      1 hour, 30 minutes

Riverton                     1 hour, 15 minutes

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.

*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 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.

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.

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.