Wind River

[Mpheckler]

I have been contemplating a late summer Wind River backpack fly fishing trip a long time. There is much good information online, YouTube, etc about fishing the alpine lakes there. But, I have found very little about some of the headwaters up in the backcountry there. Some pretty iconic rivers draw from there (Green River, Bighorn via Wind River and Popo Agie, N Platte via Sweetwater). I am not looking for specifics but rather would really appreciate general shared knowledge of your experience fishing headwaters there:

- are there meaningful hatches there? What are they eating? Fly pattern recommendations?
- rod weight recommendations? I realize is not called “wind” river for nothing
- are there good permanent populations of fish in these streams or are they only transient between the lakes and don’t overwinter well at that altitude?
- I am not intending to bring waders for weight savings purposes on a multi day backpack trip. Satellite view makes it look like there are stretches of these waters that flow through nice meadows. In late summer how bad would bushwhacking through these meadows be?

Thank you kindly in advance
Mike

[greyreefer5]

The Outdoor Shop, Pinedale Who. Fly fishing specialists, Great folks, been there forever. Very short window there due to altitude

[greyreefer5]

Wyo

[tiptop]

You might try the Lander Fly Shop in Lander WY or the Cutthroat Fly Shop in Dubois WY. Some of the hike-in fishing will be on reservation land and will require a separate license. Be aware that having a reservation license doesn't permit fishing all over reservation land. There is private property there and it may not be posted. Also know that the weather at the higher altitudes in the Wind River range can be extreme - even in the summer. Good luck!

[Mpheckler]

Thanks you both!

[MNJoe]

Sorry I won’t be much help but my county library ebook service (Hoopla) had on line book fly fishing Wind River Range. Don’t recall author. I hiked and fished mucho anos ago. First experience hiking with no trails. I remember catching a lot of beautiful golden trout (big) on a lake at dusk on the plateau.

We also got crushed by mosquitoes and while I was catching beautiful big goldens, a herd of 50+ elk walked pass our camp site, me cluelessly focusing on fishing

Also remember day hiking to Photographic Pass, only to realize what we hiked through to get there was the Photographic part. It is a unique hiking experience worth the adventure

Joe

[Dwight]

I climbed Gannett Peak from Titcomb Basin one year at the end of the first week in August. The mosquitoes were only a bit of a bother in the evening. I understand that July can be brutal though. I’ve also made a half dozen or more backpacking trips when I’ve fished in late August/early September, all from various westside entrances. No mosquitoes, but Goldens have eluded me in the high mountain lakes (10,000’+) they inhabit. Definitely haven’t seen Golden surface activity then. Brookies, Cutts and some Rainbows are present in the streams and lakes at elevation and they respond well to caddis and mayfly patterns on the surface. Same for terrestrials. I think the Goldens are more responsive when the mosquitoes are bad, or so I’ve heard. Some seem to favor sinking lines to target them. It’s breathtakingly beautiful country. Definitely be prepared to hang your food at night and when you’re away from camp.

[Mpheckler]

Thanks for the info. Sounds amazing, can’t wait to get out there.

[Silverback]

Most detailed accounts of the waters you will get. His favorite water for big Golden’s are in the winds

[woody osborne]

6 miles from Lander is "the Rise of the Popo Agie Trout Pool". inspiring to everybody. if i were in Lander area i'd have to see that again. many many trout over 18". it is right beside the road.

[Hellmtflies]

Most detailed accounts of the waters you will get. His favorite water for big Golden’s are in the winds

I second this book. Excellent reference and information.

[czkid]

There is a trio of lakes East of Dubois, the middle one called Ring Lake. The water that feeds them flows North out of the Wind River mountain chain. Where the river empties into the lakes there is a hiking trail that leads into the mountains. There's a parking area there for hikers. The river to and between the lakes fishes wel and access was easy. Beautiful area, and folks are friendly.

Ralph

[Holland]

Torrey Lake and Ring Lake on Torrey Creek are West of Dubois (actually South then West) and the road past them takes you to Glacier Trailhead. The Glacier Trail is awesome, I backpacked solo into that area about 15 years ago and it truly was amazing. I think the worst mosquitoes were in fact at the Glacier Trailhead parking lot! Rich Osthoff’s book is solid gold…