5.0(2 Reviews)Full-Day Float Fishing Trips in Wyoming
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full-day guided float trips on Wyoming's premier riversEight hours fishing with premium equipment and drift boatProfessional instruction with lunch and hotel transportation included
Picture yourself drifting down some of Wyoming's most legendary waters, fly rod in hand, with nothing but the sound of moving water and the occasional rise of a hungry trout. That's what you're signing up for with Western River Angler's full-day float fishing trips. We're talking eight solid hours on world-class rivers like the Snake, Salt, Green, New Fork, waters in Yellowstone National Park, and the renowned Bighorn River. You'll be fishing from a comfortable drift boat with a seasoned guide who knows every run, riffle, and honey hole on these systems. Hotel pickup in Jackson Hole, top-shelf gear, streamside lunch, and all the instruction you need – we've got it covered.
Your day starts with pickup from your Jackson Hole hotel, then it's off to whichever river is fishing best that day. Your guide will have already checked conditions, weather, and recent hatches to put you on the most productive water. Once we launch the drift boat, you're in for a rhythm that's pure magic – floating downstream while casting to prime structure, back-eddies, and feeding lanes that most bank anglers never reach. The drift boat setup is perfect for this style of fishing because your guide can position you at the ideal casting angle while managing the boat's speed and direction. You'll cover miles of water that would take days to fish on foot, hitting fresh spots all day long. Between the scenery, the wildlife, and the consistent fishing action, eight hours feels like it flies by.
Drift boat fishing is all about presentation and timing. Your guide will be reading the water constantly, calling out targets and helping you with your casting angles. We're primarily fly fishing here, though spinning gear can work depending on conditions. The boat lets us approach fish from downstream, which is huge because trout face into the current and won't see us coming. You'll be casting upstream and across, letting your flies drift naturally with the current. We provide premium rods, reels, lines, and a full selection of proven flies – from dry flies during hatch times to nymphs and streamers when fish are holding deep. Your guide will tie on the right patterns and walk you through techniques like mending your line, setting the hook on subtle takes, and fighting fish from a moving boat. The boat has comfortable seats, rod holders, and plenty of storage for gear and that streamside lunch.
"We had a fabulous day! The equipment, comfort level, professionalism, and easy going confidence of our guides was first class. I'll definitely be booking with WRA on my next trip!" - Coart
"These guys are the best. You will have a blast on the river with WRA and they are some of the most knowledgeable fly fishing guides in the area" - Chris
Rainbow Trout are the bread and butter of Wyoming's river systems, and these aren't your average stockers. Wild rainbows here fight like they've got something to prove, with acrobatic jumps and long runs that'll test your drag system. They're active feeders throughout the day, especially during mayfly and caddis hatches from late spring through early fall. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but don't be surprised when you hook into a 20-plus-inch bow that's been feeding heavily in these nutrient-rich waters. What makes rainbows so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute they're sipping tiny midges in slack water, the next they're crushing hoppers along the banks.
Brown Trout are the craftiest fish swimming in these rivers, and landing a good brown is like earning a PhD in fly fishing. They're ambush predators that hold in the gnarliest structure – undercut banks, logjams, and deep pools where most anglers are afraid to cast. Fall is prime time for browns when they're feeding aggressively before spawning, and that's when you might hook the fish of a lifetime. These fish are notorious for taking streamers stripped past their lies, but they'll also rise to terrestrials during summer. Browns here commonly reach 16-20 inches, with true giants pushing 24 inches or more. The fight is different from rainbows – more bulldogging, head-shaking power that'll make your reel sing.
Cutthroat Trout are Wyoming's native jewels, especially the Snake River fine-spotted strain that's perfectly adapted to these waters. They're generally more willing to take a fly than browns, but don't mistake that for being pushovers. Cutthroats have this beautiful way of rising to dry flies – deliberate, confident takes that give you just enough time to set the hook properly. They're most active during morning and evening periods, though they'll feed throughout the day during overcast conditions or good hatches. Most cutthroats run 12-16 inches, with their distinctive red slash under the jaw making them instantly recognizable. What's special about fishing for cutthroats is knowing you're targeting a fish that's been in these waters for thousands of years.
Brook Trout might be the smallest of our target species, but they make up for size with sheer beauty and willingness to play. These char prefer colder water and are often found in the upper reaches of our river systems or in spring-fed areas. They're aggressive feeders, especially on terrestrials and small dry flies, making them perfect for anglers who love visual, surface action. Most brookies run 8-12 inches, but their colors – olive backs with vermiculations, red spots with blue halos, and white-edged fins – make every fish a trophy. They're also excellent eating if you're inclined to keep a few for dinner, though many anglers prefer to release them to maintain these wild populations.
This is hands-down one of the best ways
Float Wyoming's premier fishing waters aboard our 16-foot Hyde drift boat, built for serious anglers who want comfort and performance. This 2023 rig handles like a dream with its 35HP Yamaha, cruising smooth at 20-30 mph between prime fishing holes on legendary rivers like the Snake, Green, and waters throughout Yellowstone country. The stable platform gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to work flies and land trophy trout without crowding each other. Whether you're working deep pools or drifting technical runs, this boat positions you perfectly for eight hours of guided fishing. Your captain knows every bend, eddy, and productive stretch from Jackson Hole to the Bighorn River. The low-profile design cuts through wind and keeps you fishing when conditions get challenging.
Salvelinus FontinalisBrookies are the jewels of high-country fishing - small but absolutely gorgeous with their olive backs and red spots ringed in blue. Most run 6-12 inches in our mountain streams, though lake fish can reach 16 inches. Look for them in the coldest, cleanest water you can find, often in beaver ponds or remote headwater streams above treeline. Summer and early fall are best since ice locks them up much of the year. Anglers love brookies for their beauty and the pristine places you find them. They're not line-shy and will often hit the first decent offering. The meat is incredibly sweet and delicate. Here's the trick: brookies love tiny presentations. Scale down to size 16-20 flies and use light tippet - they live in gin-clear water where they can see everything.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the wary old-timers of our rivers, typically running 14-22 inches and known for being selective about what they eat. They hang out in deeper pools, undercut banks, and anywhere with good cover during the day. Fall is prime time when they get aggressive before spawning, but early morning and evening fishing can produce all season. Anglers love the challenge - these fish have attitude and will test your skills. They fight smart, using current and structure to their advantage. The eating quality is top-notch with firm, flavorful meat. Pro tip: browns often hold tight to the bank in just a few feet of water. Don't overlook that skinny water right along the edge where most people walk by.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiCutthroats are Wyoming's native jewel, easily spotted by those distinctive red slashes under their jaw. Size varies widely - stream fish run 8-14 inches while lake dwellers can hit 20-plus. They prefer clean, cold water with rocky bottoms and good cover like fallen timber or undercut banks. Spring and early summer are peak times when they're actively feeding after ice-out. What draws people to cutthroats is their willingness to take a fly and their scrappy nature - pound for pound, they fight hard. Being native to these waters, they represent the real deal. The meat is sweet and delicate. Local secret: cutthroats are suckers for terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles, especially along grassy banks during late summer when the hoppers start falling.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows are the bread and butter of Wyoming fishing, running 12-20 inches on average with that classic pink stripe down their sides. They love the faster water and gravel runs, especially where current breaks around rocks or drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they'll feed all day when conditions are right. What makes them special is that explosive fight - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got. The meat is excellent too, with that firm pink flesh. Here's a local tip: when the water's high and murky in early season, try a bright attractor pattern like a Prince Nymph with some weight. These fish aren't shy about grabbing something that stands out in off-colored water.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a fabulous day! The equipment, comfort level, professionalism, and easy going confidence of our guides was first class. I’l...
These guys are the best. You will have a blast on the river with WRA and they are some of the most knowledgeable fly fishing guide...
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