Shoeshone River Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone/Tailwater
Species
Brown Trout (Wild)
Rainbow Trout (Wild)
Cutthroat (Native)
Cuttbows
Brook Trout (Wild)
Size
Medium
Location
Northwestern Wyoming
Nearest Towns
Cody
Season
Year-round below the dam – regular
Wyoming season other areas
Access:
Fair
Special Regulations
None
Non-Resident License
State of Wyoming
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Buffalo Bill Dam:
USGS Flow Data
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 & 12 ft., 5 or 6X, Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Recommended DVD:
Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park
Fly Fishing On The Shoeshone River In Wyoming
The Shoshone River is one of the most under-fished rivers in the general Yellowstone area. It provides great fishing throughout most of its length. It has two major forks, both of which provide very good fly fishing opportunities. Fly fishing the Shoshone River can be a wonderful experience that few anglers take advantage of.The North Fork of the Shoshone River starts in the Absaroka Wilderness in Yellowstone National Park and flows for approximately fifteen miles. The upper section must be accessed via horseback or by foot. Most of the trout in the North Fork are small, averaging about eight to twelve inches, but they are plentiful.You can access the lower and middle parts of the North Fork from highways 14, 16 and 20. The highway to the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park follows the North Fork of the Shoshone. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are much larger in the lower section of the river than they are in the upper section. Eighteen inch trout are not uncommon. Late Spring, Summer and early Fall is a good time to fish either the upper of the lower section of the North Fork.The South Fork of the Shoshone River begins in the Washakie Wilderness area and flows almost twenty-five miles through public land or National Forest. The fish in the South Fork average a small size, or about eight to twelve inches and are mostly cutthroats and rainbows. There are some browns in the lower section.The South Fork’s beginning is southwest of Cody Wyoming. Fishing is good for brook trout and cutthroat trout that average about 8 to14 inches.During the Fall some large browns will make their way into the upper sections of the South Fork to spawn. Fly fishing the Shoshone River in its upper sections, South or North Fork, requires hiking or a horse back trip. The section of the river that’s not in the wilderness area flows through private property. There are a few access points along the way. The lower section of the main Shoshone River is a tailwater that flows through Cody Wyoming below Buffalo Bill Dam. It’s fishable year-round. There is access in the town of Cody and downstream towards Powell.
The Shoeshone has a very diverse population of aquatic insects but they vary from its headwaters to the tailwater in Cody. The most plentiful mayflies are the Pale Morning Duns, Blue-winged Olives, Green Drakes, Small western Green Drakes, March Browns, and Tricos. There are several others.The most plentiful caddisflies are the Spotted Sedges, Green Sedges, Little Black Caddis, Short-horned Sedges and October Caddis but there are others. Midges are important during the cold weather but particularly below the dam in Cody. Blood or red midges, Cream and Light Greens are the most plentiful. Stoneflies make up a large part of the trout’s diet in the Shoeshone River. Winter Stoneflies, Salmonflies, Golden Stoneflies and Little Yellow Stoneflies are the most plentiful ones. There are lots of terrestrial insects that become important during the summer months of the year. Grass Hoppers, Carpenter Ants, Japanese Beetles and others are among the most plentiful terrestrials.
Seasons:
Winter: Winter fishing is possible below Buffalo Bill Dam.
Spring: Late Spring can be good except during runoff.
Summer: Summertime is the most popular time to fish the river.
Fall: Early Fall may be the best time of the year to fish the Shoshone River