Wind River Wyoming Fishing Report: (Updated 10/28/24 The freestone section is still a little below a normal level with mostly clear water. We are still not sure of the discharges below the dam at Kinnear as the gauge isn’t working, however, we do know the flows are low and are at a good rate for fly fishing most of the time. Good late season hatches are taking place. Shoot us an email saying where you will be fishing it and we can help you with the flies you would need. Check back with us as we update the Wind River fishing report often.
Excellent Article written by Derek Porter – “Wind River Magic”
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies 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. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They 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 and Tailwater
Species
Brown Trout (Wild)
Rainbow Trout (Wild)
Cutthroat (Native)
Cuttbows
Brook Trout (Wild)
Size
Medium
Location
Northwestern Wyoming
Nearest Towns
Thermopolis
Season
April 1- Sept. 30 above the reservoir
Year-round in the tailwater section
Access:
Fair
Special Regulations
None
Non-Resident License
State of Wyoming
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and
Trout Flies
USGS Real-time
Stream Data:
Near Kinnear
Below Boysen
Reservoir
Free Shipping Continental U. S. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
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.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
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.
| Copyright 2013 James Marsh |
Fly Fishing On The Wind River In Wyoming: The Wind River is one of Wyoming’s most overlooked trout stream. Its trout fishing opportunities rival any of the other streams in the state. It is one of our favorite western trout streams. Fly fishing the Wind River is usually a big adventure anywhere you choose to fish the river. There are two basic sections to the Wind River. The upper section of freestone stream and the tailwater section below Boysen Reservoir. Fishing all but two miles of its water in the tailwater section requires a permit from the Wind River Indian Reservation. The thirty miles of water above the dam doesn’t require a permit. The upper freestone section has plenty of access because it flows through the Shoshone National Forest. Its is rather small to medium in size, depending on the location, and generally easy to wade. Its trout, mostly rainbows and brook trout, probably average less than 12 inches in the uppermost sections. The trout below the confluence of the Jakey’s Fork are larger and average close to 15 inches with many much larger. The river is quite larger in this section. Jakey’s Fork itself is a fine trout stream. It doesn’t have much public access, but what’s available is well worth fishing. It has a good population of brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout.
The best of the Wind River’s fly fishing opportunities lies below the Boysen Reservoir in the tailwater section. It flows through a deep, wild and rugged, but beautiful fifteen-mile long canyon. All but two miles of this water lies on the Wind River Indian Reservation. This section holds some huge trout. The Wind River Canyon has brown, rainbow and some cutthroat trout with many going 18 inches and better. Access is easy. U. S. Highway #20 follows the river though the canyon. The aquatic population is great through out the Wind River and even in the tailwater section.
Hatches are more than common for a tailwater. It often requires matching the hatch in order to catch its large trout. There are several species of mayflies, but the most important are the Blue-winged olives and Pale Morning duns. There are also hatches of Dark Red Quills, Yellow Quills, sometimes called Pink Lades, Small western green drakes, Green drakes, March Browns, Tricos and others. Caddisflies are also plentiful, especially in the tailwaters. There are several different species called Spotted Sedges, Little Sister Caddis, Green Sedges, Short-horned Sedges and even some October Caddis. Stoneflies are very important and very plentiful. They include the Little Winter stoneflies, the Giant Salmonflies, Golden Stoneflies and Little Yellow Stoneflies. Stonefly hatches produce some of the best fishing of the year. During the hot summer months, terrestrial insects can become important. Ants, beetles and hoppers work well at times. Sculpin are the most plentiful baitfish and imitations of them produce some of the larges trout. During the cold months of the year, the Mighty Midge is king. The tailwaters are full of them.Fly fishing the Wind River provides the best opportunity you will get to catch a large rainbow trout from a river.
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