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who has my fly fishing beta for SD WY and CO

Original Post
William Rhyne · · Casper, Wyoming · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 135

so im bringing up my 4wt on my climbing trip to hopefully land some trout on a rest day. being the south eastern boy i am, im admittedly a little ignorant on the area style of fishing and really species as well. Im going to be traveling through SD WY and CO from mid june to early july, will anything be hatching at the time? what flies do you westerners throw during this season? any way i could buy a pass for the three states? you all are always so much help thanks for everything.

GhaMby Eagan · · Heaven · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 385

I don't know of any way to get a 3 state license, you're going to pay a lot, but theres a lot of fish. Mostly trout-rainbow, cutthroat, Brookies. For Dry flies the Adams in a 12,14,16 is a killer, also the Elk Hair Caddis. For Nymph's I've caught them on almost everything especially prince Nymphs.

Have Fun! Go to TENSLEEP!

William Rhyne · · Casper, Wyoming · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 135

thanks sweagan! so if i had to narrow it down to maybe one state which state would yield a lot of fish and perhaps might be a good location to teach my girlfriend ( who has had one casting lesson):/ ? What do you think about RMNP since i plan to be there for the walls anyway, are there like free campsites within walking distance to good fishing up there? or is it the lower elevations that have fish? where is Tensleep?

Andy Librande · · Denver, CO · Joined Nov 2005 · Points: 1,880

I am not expert on this, however most of the streams in Colorado at higher elevations are pretty small and usually lined with willows and bushes. So great for catching small brook trout on streams that are not very wide and or deep. Usually horrible for teaching beginners.

If you are up in the rockies some of the best places to teach would be near the lakes as usually they have a pretty good steam coming out of them that is generally not full of too many trees, bushes, etc. Sometimes there are decent sized rivers with open banks in large valleys.

I have not fished in RMNP specifically and not sure where you will be camping, but the small streams can be a lot of fun and worth checking out for rest day activities.

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

Ten Sleep is in northeastern Wyoming, about 30 miles west of Buffalo. I'm pretty sure they stock the lakes around Powder River Pass, so if you go climbing in Ten Sleep (which you should, its the best sport crag in the state, by far), you could mosey up the road and get some fishing in too.

Dunno any details beyond that, I'm not a fisherman.

Phillip Morris · · Flavor Country · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 20

RMNP won't have free campng. It does have the headwaters of the Big Thompson on the east side and the Colorado on the west side. Both have nice stretches of fairly open meadows that will make for some easier casting. I don't really fish alot up that way, but I figure a little bit of stealth on the approach and a #16 parachute adams, caddis, or similar dropped with a #18 bead head nymph should yield smaller brown, brook, or cutthroat trout.

I do fish the south platte through deckers and cheesman canyon quite a bit. Tailwater fishing for well educated and often times large rainbow and brown trout. More technical (especially cheesman) and probably not a good choice for the beginner. Free camping and some pretty solid granite is nearby. If you do find yourself along the s. platte, Pale Morning Duns (#18 mid day) and midges (#20-#22 brown or black pupae, morning/evening) will be hatching June/July. By late july you might catch the Trico hatch...best dry fly fishing of the year but tiny flies (#24). In any case 6x tippet (fluro if your nymphing)and a super stealthy approach are required.

Andrew Gram · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 3,725

The Black Hills in South Dakota have a lot of nice little trout streams, and the licenses are fairly inexpensive. Spearfish Canyon has terrific limestone sport climbing and good fly fishing for brook trout. Rapid Creek is great fishing for rainbows and browns from the headwaters all the way through Rapid City. That said, I wouldn't come to SD specifically to fish.

The only place i've fished in WY is around Jackson, which was absolutely fantastic. Tons of options in a small area. Way better than the fishing in SD, though it will also likely have more pressure. Can't really recommend this area highly enough.

The fishing in Colorado is also marvelous, and there is so much of it. My favorite places are in the San Juans in the southwest corner of the state, but anywhere in or near the mountains will have good places.

Most of the fly shops have conditions reports talking about fly patterns, which I find really useful if i'm not fishing a local river I know really well.

SauceBoss · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 10

Stough Creek Basin in the Popo Agie Wilderness in the Wind River Mountains. It's accessed from Lander, is a killer spot, and has some seriously sick fishing, if you're willing to hike for it. Ask for more specific beta from any of the outdoor shops in Lander or Riverton, Wyoming. Specifically Rocky Mountain Sports in Riv, and Wild Iris Mountain Sports in Lander. Either place will help you out a bunch.

The Absarokas in northwestern Wyo are supposed to have good fishing (and grizzly sighting), but I've never fished back there. The outdoor shops/general stores in Dubois, Wyoming will have beta for the Absarokas and probably Gros Ventres near Jackson Hole. And don't forget the Snake River... you might accidentally catch a Harrison Ford or Sandra Bullock.

Jonathan Petsch · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 45

If you have the time to take a few days off for just fly fishing, go to Yellowstone. The Yellowstone river and Lamar river are excellent. If you can make it up Slough creek to the third meadow, the fishing up there is world class.

The Wind rivers also have excellent fishing, and the snake river in the tetons is good as well. There are plenty of fly shops around for detailed beta.

Kirk Ranney · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 110

I just got back from 11 Mile canyon. The fishing was really good, lots of caddis and midges hatching and active fish. The climbing in the canyon is pretty good too! We camped at spillway campground but there are several other campgrounds as well. Mid-week is definitely the best time to go as it gets suer crowded on the weekends.

logan johnson · · West Copper, Co · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 315

RMNP has a lot of great lake fishing (Dream Lake, Emerald, Sprauge, and many more.) As mentioned before the small high alpine streams are fun but require good rollcasting and a bit of stealth (especially in a low water year like this one.)
I second the South Platte, tailwaters are always a good bet and the entire South Platte area is good for both fishing and climbing (I really like 11mile for moderate trad and good fishing.)
Lots of good stuff down south in the San Juans, and of course the Black Canyon is great for both too.
Make sure to pack a good assortment of stones and small nymphs (Zebra Midges, JuJu's, RS 2's, PMD Barr Emergers, UV Midges etc..) and definitely bring some ant and caddis patterns for dries. Make sure you know how to rig an indicator and some weight too.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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