West Wyoming Fly Fishing & Free Camping

[Arcticfox]

What a GREAT thread!
I have been carrying an Orvis Fly Rig around with me for a long time (kid's gave it to me) and actually never used it. Was always hoping to meet up with like minded (Airstream) folks who could give me a crash course on how to use what I have.
Now with this thread, I might have found some great articulations on different locations and points to look for.
Well done!
Thanks

Doug

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by FCloud9

Ray, thank you for your excellent trip report & travel details. We first drove through Medicine Bow National Forest nearly three decades ago & hope to travel there again so we greatly appreciate the shared recent adventure...awesome wilderness!

******
The last time we ventured into the Medicine Bow Mountains, coming out of Saratoga, Wyoming, it must have been late April. There were snow drifts blocking some parking lots up on top next to the lakes and Medicine Bow Peak. We did find a spot to pull off the road for the evening... but the mosquitos were so thick it looked like a dust storm in Kansas... but it was me and a swarm of these blood sucking varmits.

There is great fishing streams in the area. The "beaver ponds" on top you need to be selective... they freeze to the bottom and there are no fish in some of the beaver dams / ponds. We would sometimes watch the unknowing fishermen slapping the water with their best equipment... and only getting discouraged. Beaver have not been known to hit a fly, but there is always a first time. The fish are larger in the lakes on top... but these are like Yellowstone Lake fish. Smart. They have tasted a fly or two and have been made aware of looking really close at a dry or wet fly hitting the water!

This IS high elevation camping. Take it easy at first, or you can get a headache that will want you out of there immediately! We use to say "Drive in Dry and leave Wet". The high areas are green because they have their private clouds and showers, usually in the early evening. At some times, even during the sunny mornings, it begins to cloud up and you are wet... again. Colorado is even better... the come dry and leave wet.

Lakes and ponds. Mosquitos.
Running creeks and rivers. Not as many.
Just be prepared. Keep them out of the trailer as nobody sleeps well knowing one is going to be drawing blood from your forehead and nose.

Bears. Aw shucks. Just a carnivore that will run when you open your trailer door.

Coyotes. Howl at night and you cannot find them during the day.

Mosquitos. When there is enough light in the morning or evening, these guys are the biggest threat to humanity. They come into the trailer like it is a Casino Buffet... and you are the special.

Have fun. Be prepared. Bring a pole and buy your flies at the closest fly shop. Wyoming's fishing license for out of staters have been getting more expensive. If you are in the State for awhile, get an annual for out of state. Take out the calculator and figure out what works best for you. I never run into a Game Warden fishing with a license, ever. Fish without a license... you will find that they are behind every tree, bush and flying overhead to get... you.

[Ray Eklund]

It has been a very long time when I was taught the difference between a FLY and BAIT fishing. For Catch and Release we always used flys. Fishing in ponds, streams and rivers we always used dry or wet flies.

Lake fishing, Flathead Lake & Swan Lake, lures and bait fishing. This was in my young age of 7 or so. I would think that everyone understood WHY not using BAIT for catch and release fishing? Not everyone knows why, so I will just get this out so all of us will be experts.

Lures have the triple hook or a large hook with a small fish attached for the large Lake Trout. Today, I would expect these three foot lake trout have been pretty much fished out... and they were also big eaters of smaller lake fish... so I shed no tears.

Fly fisherman find the sport much more of a challenge. That is not the reason. Fly fisherman have to be very careful on line tension so the fish does not break loose and is long gone. This is a great learning experience for those that took the fly and got fooled... once or twice. When the fish hits the fly... it gets a taste... not what they thought. The fish tries to "throw the fly, or... spit it out" and the hook catches the edge of the mouth, or lip. The fly is easily removed. Especially if the barb of the hook is removed or needle nose pliers to crush the barb... a difficult fish to bring in with no "barb"!

Fisherman using bait for catch and release usually kill the fish trying to remove the hook. Worms, salmon eggs and other baits are swallowed and the hook is in the gullet. The throat. If not removed with a long nose pliers, or carefully, the fish is usually physically damaged.

If you plan to do some "Catch & Release" fishing... check on this. I have black and white photographs of my Grandfather and Uncles with fish the size of surf boards out of the Flathead Lake of northwest Montana. Those were in the 1940's and 1950's.

Flys with iron hooks will rust away over time if the fish breaks your line or the hook slips off of your knot.

So... think about what kind of fishing you plan. Catch and Release or to get some fryers to eat. The way you fish makes a difference.

[indy]

Ray, Thanks for the info. I have to admit I love the Rockies this last year was a great fishing year. We spent time above and below the Taylor res. CO and then The Slate River, BLM neer Crested Butte

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by indy

Ray, Thanks for the info. I have to admit I love the Rockies this last year was a great fishing year. We spent time above and below the Taylor res. CO and then The Slate River, BLM neer Crested Butte

*****

Indy... Taylor Reservoir is a wonderful base camp... you find a spot and you are camped! Did you drive up Italian Mountain where the intact mining ghost town remains? The road is bumpy, but you will get there without difficulty.

We returned back west after ten years living in Lees Summit, Missouri. About a ten or less hour drive to Denver and maybe six more hours to Taylor Reservoir. Watching the fly fisherman at the bridge catching those 30 inch trout is an experience! Wide open flat grassy areas to camp and an entire river to fly fish on shore or a drift boat.

It may not be Wyoming...but when in the Rocky Mountains... there are no boundaries that you cannot jump.

[indy]

No I missed that adventure didn't know about it, darn.
Next time! love that kind of exploring.
Wyoming is high on the list so I will refer to your kindly shared info on locations plus plus.

Thanks

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by DumOleBob

This'll be my first post to these boards. I've lived in Jackson Hole for a couple of decades. Here is one of the best boondocking sites I've seen. Right on the edge of Grand Teton Nat'l Park with great fly fishing all around esp on the Snake & Gros Ventre Rivers.20+ years

Could be one of the most fantastic views in the World! Shadow Mountain (USFS land) lies along the eastern border of Grand Teton Nat'l Park. Off Highway 26/89 just north of the Park Visitor Center and Blacktail Butte turn east on Antelope Flats Rd. At the stop sign turn north to Shadow Mt. The road becomes gravel/dirt - DO NOT travel this road in the spring (before Mid June) or in very wet times. At the base of the mountain is an informal Forest Service Camp area, which is usually busy and often not all that clean. There are other sites along the base to Antelope Springs to the north, but often the road is rough, but maybe not. Continue up the mountain & the first really fine site you’ll come to is a chalk white open area with fantastic views. You can continue to the top of the mountain where you’ll find lots of sites with incredible views of Jackson Hole and the Mt Leidy Highlands to the east.

Forewarning – This is pure dry camping in grizzle bear country. Suggest you unhook and scout it out …Suggest you unhook and scout it out, but all that effort is worth it! It is a relatively steep, Wyoming, Forest Service, rough gravel road, which may not be graded out until the Fall hunting season. Four-wheel drive is necessary in case it gets wet. I’d take a 30’ trailer up there in good weather without concern. The campsites are all informal, public made. It is no place to go until after late June and not after mid-Sept 15.

But, there are no better views of the Earth’s most beautiful valley that is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. And- it’s all free.

*******
Could you PM me on this location?

I entered from the south end that was steep, narrow and needed 4x4 pulling our 23 footer at the time. Since it was so narrow, going down was easier but when a big tour bus was coming UP, I had to back into a spot to let them pass. I posted that somewhere... and the view is as you say... BEAUTIFUL. Look at my pictures.

I did not keep going north on this road, expecting more and worse. Is this the entry you were speaking about? Is this access point better? I would hope so, but pulling a trailer would require a bit easier grade and road condition! Next time I am parking the trailer at the parking area at the South entrance and will drive it through. For those who are Off the Grid campers... this is a hidden gem, absolutely and Bob is living THERE!

Hunting any Elk Sheds? You are in the middle of a part of Wyoming that no one knows exists! Expect to be near you in August 2016 with other AirForum members. This spot was your First Post on the Forum. Where are you?

[Photobum]

following, avidly so.

[Gearheart]

Me too. Any recommendations for flies to use? We're facing a long winter here and fly tying helps pass the time.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Gearheart

Me too. Any recommendations for flies to use? We're facing a long winter here and fly tying helps pass the time.

*******
Several years ago I sold all of my Fly Tying books and never had any talent to tie anything but my shoelaces.

Any Fly Shop in a town near the Greys River, North Platte, Yellowstone, Snake or any other major rivers is my recommendation. Local fly tyers sell their flies for a bit more than the Chinese stuff... but are well worth it with hits, near misses and the occasional catches that make every effort worth the cost. Often the local name does never match a name in the library of fly tying references with colored photos and supplies required.

My best experience was from a long worn out fly that looked like a miserable hack job at tying, coming apart and with a long shank and oversized, at that. The trout kept hitting and hitting it. The fly just became a sorry looking steel hook with green twine and worn threads. I miss this fly. It may be in a tackle box or stuffed into a vest somewhere, but Wyoming 2016 it might be taken out once again at DuBois, where it provided the entertainment of a lifetime. A fly that was a trout's idea of a double cheeseburger with fries to myself.

Some fisherman judge the size of the fly's hook for catching trout. The larger... the larger the fish. Not necessarily true. On the Flathead Lake when there were huge Lake Trout in the pre-1960's trolling... a small fish, bird or rodent "lure" with spinning shiny attractors to attract and catch these monsters. The line was significantly stronger and needed to bring these to the nets. River and creek trout can go after whatever is the easiest meal to snatch while passing over or in the water. Size is relative to you, but to a trout... a necessary meal.

I do not mention ice fishing on the Flathead Lake of Montana... almost like watching television and have a wood burning stove in the "ice shack". Probably not even used anymore as far as I know.

I have forgotten the hook sizes today, but those needing a magnifying glass to attach your line can be the best. The locals can advise you. I have caught more smaller trout with a fly that I could not even see where it was in the water! But... no one brags about a three inch fingerling fighting for its life.

My equipment always included a finger nail clipper and a magnifying glass tied onto a string around my neck. This is so I could change flies as fast as needed. Once you have discovered among your fly trove... one that is working... your knot slipped and lost on the first hit.

I had a choice between catching trout in rivers... or collecting rocks on mountain sides. My fishing skills are now lacking... but next year I will bringing my poles and bag of supplies along... just in the event that the rocks are lacking in interest and the fish are jumping in the still water along the banks. We can all dream, can't we?

[pappy19]

As a former fishing guide in the greater Yellowstone area, the most productive flies not in any order are: Adams, Royal Wolf, Blonde Humpy, and Bitch Creek (weighted) for nymphs. In early summer, nymphs are king. Read "Nymph Fishing for Larger Trout ", by Charles Brooks and any books by Bud Lilly.

[KJRitchie]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

*******

Some fisherman judge the size of the fly's hook for catching trout. The larger... the larger the fish. Not necessarily true.

Years ago my dad and I fly fished the San Juan River below Navaho dam, northern New Mexico. The flies we used were on size 22 and smaller, fished wet. Largest trout I ever caught. Lost more than I landed. One fish started running downstream and I had to follow it. Slipped and tore my neoprene waders and lost the fish.

I doubt I could even thread a leader on those hooks now.

Hope to get back to fly fishing when I retire in a couple of years.

Kelvin

[Ray Eklund]

KJRitchie... I recall the fish hatchery at a spring in the Missouri Ozarks and on opening fly fishing day the fishermen out numbering the fish as well.

Some for breeding purposes were monsters. You might know where this hatchery is and some information on the tours in Missouri. I was on a geology field trip and, of course, the fish hatchery was important for the... hydrology part of the class....

[KJRitchie]

Roaring River State Park is the nearest to me.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ri-104293.html

There is a hatchery there too. In the big pool where the spring comes out of a cave there are some very large trout. No fishing there.

Bennett Springs, Montauk and Maramac are other parks.

Never been on opening day but it is a zoo. Not my type of fishing. But when I took photos in the link above that was on a weekend in April and the crowds weren't bad.

Now that we have a care giver to stay a weekend with my mom we may be able to venture out further on a weekend and stay at Roaring River and try a little fly fishing.

Kelvin

[Gearheart]

Ah, opening day. I used to take 2 ugly pills, sharpen my elbows and join the mad crowd. Now I stay home, pour myself a beer and wait 2 extra weeks. The fishing is better and the ejits are fewer.

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Gearheart

Ah, opening day. I used to take 2 ugly pills, sharpen my elbows and join the mad crowd. Now I stay home, pour myself a beer and wait 2 extra weeks. The fishing is better and the ejits are fewer.

*****
A true fly fisherman. Ties his flies and catches unaware trout in the Greys River of western Wyoming.

I forgot this Thread was out there. Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Colorado has excellent fly fishing. Not as fantastic as Canada or Alaska... but for the lower 48... well worth exploring.

Also fine Hunter's Camps to park and have fresh trout for dinner.

Each of these State Game and Fish have an annual guides that lists all the possibilities with rules and regulations at no charge.

There are also cold fast running creeks the width of a sidewalk that has lots of large trout. Wyoming comes to mind and that is all I will say...

Two lakes west of Cheyenne, Wyoming are good and not secret. Granite and Crystal Reservoir. Use a float to cast into the lake with the fly back about four to five feet works. The Cheyenne newspaper will give the days the Game and Fish plant a thousand 12 to 14 inch trout... all anxious to hit the frying pan. (I want to promote Wyoming so check it out.)

Montana has wonderful remote locations, but the timber blown down can slow you down and wear down even the most ambitious fishermen.

Idaho and Montana have major rivers with guides. Lots of Dorys.

The Yellowstone River in Montana, not far from Yellowstone Park is wide and cold. You will see trout jumping in the middle of the river. I could not find what they were after... but it was not the fly I was using! Sandy beaches with trees not far from shore to camp. You find your own. This was before we wrote locations down to return.

I have watched large trout swimming upstream on the Missouri River in Montana, with a guide and fisherman on the opposite side going down along the shoreline.

We were... panning sapphires. It was 104F in July and cool at night. We were sitting in lawn chairs in the small tributary with our two Blue Heelers. Ahhhh. Southeast of Helena, Montana. Some Boondocking sites before you get to the Missouri River parking lot to the East. By the time you try to find this area... you will find something better.

[Gearheart]

Good morning Ray, this is the year the trout are off the hook. We are in lockdown due to this cheap beer virus. I’m glad to be retired. My friends have no work no $$$ and plenty of debt. I see them sinking into a black hole. I had Wyoming on the brain since last summer when they announced the big Airstream rally in Loveland. All of that has been cancelled. Stay home and tend the garden is the order of the day. Keep well and tight lines if you get to wet one.

[brad1]

Just discovered this great thread. Bookmarked! Thanks all!