Lower Shoshone River Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Tailwater fishing through downtown Cody with diverse trout speciesBest fishing conditions from late August through mid-AprilBrowns, rainbows, cutthroat, and specialty trout up to 20 inches
Right here in Cody, we've got something special flowing through our backyard. The Lower Shoshone River is our local tailwater fishery, and it's been quietly producing some of the best trout fishing in Wyoming for decades. This isn't your typical crowded tourist destination – it's where locals go when they want to wet a line and actually catch fish. The river emerges crystal clear from Buffalo Bill Dam just five miles east of town, carrying cold water that keeps trout happy year-round and creates the perfect conditions for multiple species to thrive.
The Lower Shoshone has its own rhythm, and timing matters here. While other rivers are getting blown out by spring runoff, this tailwater stays fishable thanks to dam control. Your best bet is late August through mid-April when irrigation demands drop and the river settles into its sweet spot. During peak season, you'll find browns, rainbows, Snake River cutthroat, cutbows, and even some brookies and tiger trout cruising the runs. The fish here range from scrappy 8-inchers that'll test your reflexes to hefty 20-inch browns that know every rock in the river. This top-rated fishery flows right through downtown Cody, making it incredibly accessible while maintaining that wild character that keeps anglers coming back. Your guide will position you in the most productive water, reading the current and structure to put you on fish that locals have been targeting for generations.
Tailwater fishing requires a different approach than your typical freestone river, and the Lower Shoshone has its own personality. We'll set you up with 4-6 weight rods that can handle both delicate presentations and strong fish. The clear water means these trout have seen every fly in the book, so we rely on precise drifts and realistic patterns. Nymphing is king here – small pheasant tails, prince nymphs, and zebra midges work year-round, while streamers can trigger aggressive strikes from larger browns holding in deeper pools. During cooler months, you'll spend time working indicator rigs through the deeper runs where trout stack up. As water temperatures rise in late spring, dry fly opportunities increase with PMD and caddis hatches bringing fish to the surface. Your guide will adjust techniques based on conditions, teaching you how to read this renowned tailwater and adapt your presentation to what the fish want on any given day.
Rainbow trout are the workhorses of the Lower Shoshone, and these aren't your typical stocked fish. They've adapted to tailwater conditions and fight with serious attitude. Most rainbows here run 10-16 inches, with their silver sides flashing as they make acrobatic jumps. They're most active during cooler water periods and respond well to smaller nymphs and emergers. Brown trout are the prize catch on this system, with some real trophies lurking in the deeper holes. These fish didn't get big by being careless – they're spooky, selective, and absolutely explosive when hooked. Fall fishing targets browns as they get aggressive before winter, making this world-class fishing for anyone serious about landing a memorable fish.
Snake River cutthroat add native flavor to your catch, displaying those distinctive red slashes and fighting with the determination that made them legends in Western waters. They're particularly active in spring and fall, often rising to dry flies when conditions align. Cutbows – the hybrid cross between cutthroat and rainbow – combine the best traits of both species, offering stunning colors and impressive strength. Brook trout provide a pleasant surprise in certain sections, their beautiful markings and aggressive takes making every encounter special. Tiger trout, the rare hybrid between browns and brookies, are the unicorns of this system. When you hook into one of these customer favorites with their distinctive vermiculation patterns, you'll understand why guides get excited about every single catch.
The Lower Shoshone River delivers consistent fishing when other waters are off-limits or blown out, making it the best trip for anglers who want reliable action close to town. With lunch included and space for two anglers, this is perfect for couples, friends, or anyone wanting personalized attention on productive water. Your Wyoming Trout Guides experience includes local knowledge that takes years to develop, positioning you on fish that many visitors never find. The combination of multiple species, technical fishing, and stunning scenery with the Absaroka Mountains as your backdrop creates the complete package. Whether you're new to tailwater fishing or looking to improve your skills on challenging trout, the Lower Shoshone offers the perfect classroom with willing teachers. Book now to secure your dates during prime season – this local gem fills up fast once word gets out about the quality of fishing we've got flowing right through downtown Cody.
The AIRE Super Puma isn't your typical 13-footer – this raft handles like a drift boat on the Lower Shoshone's productive waters. Its narrow profile cuts through currents while staying responsive to every oar stroke, perfect for positioning over those prime holding spots where browns and rainbows stack up below Buffalo Bill Dam. The fishing frame setup gives you stable casting platforms and gear storage, while the raft's grip in moving water means you can hold your line longer in productive runs. Built for two anglers, it's nimble enough to work tight pockets where bigger boats can't reach, yet stable enough to handle the tailwater's variable flows. Whether you're drifting nymphs through deep channels or working streamers along undercut banks, this setup gets you into fish without the bulk of traditional drift boats.
Salvelinus FontinalisBrookies on the Lower Shoshone are like finding hidden gems - they're not common, but when you hook into one, you'll remember it. These beauties run smaller, usually 8-12 inches, but they're absolutely gorgeous with olive backs, cream-colored wavy lines, and those signature red spots with blue halos. They prefer the coldest, cleanest water and tend to hang in spring-fed areas and deeper pools during warmer months. Fall and winter are your best bets when water temperatures drop. Brookies are actually char, not true trout, and they're scrappy fighters that'll surprise you for their size. They make excellent table fare too. What sets them apart is their stunning colors - no other fish in our waters looks quite like them. Here's my brook trout secret: they're suckers for small terrestrial patterns like ants and beetles fished in the slower, deeper pockets where they feel secure.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the trophy fish of the Lower Shoshone, ranging 8-20 inches with some real bruisers mixed in. These fish are smart and spooky - they love deep pools, undercut banks, and any structure that gives them cover during the day. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're most active and feeding aggressively. Browns fight differently than rainbows - less jumping, more bulldogging and long runs that'll test your drag. They're originally from Europe but have thrived here since the 1880s, and they make excellent eating with firm, flavorful meat. Their golden-brown sides with black spots and that small orange adipose fin make them easy to spot. My go-to tip for browns: fish streamers tight to the banks during low light conditions. They're ambush predators and won't pass up an easy meal drifting by their hideout.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiOur Snake River cutthroat are native beauties that run 8-20 inches in the Lower Shoshone, easily identified by those distinctive red slashes under their jaws. They're less spooky than browns but fight harder than most give them credit for. You'll find them in the same water as rainbows - pools, runs, and pocket water - but they're especially fond of areas with good cover like overhanging vegetation. They fish well during our main season from late August to mid-April, and they're eager to take both dry flies and nymphs. What makes cutthroat special is they're Wyoming natives - this is their home water. They're also excellent eating with sweet, mild flesh. These fish are opportunistic feeders and will often take flies that other trout refuse. Local tip: cutthroat love attractor patterns like Royal Wulffs and Stimulators, especially during overcast days when they're more willing to come up for a dry fly.
Prosopium WilliamsoniMountain whitefish are the sleeper species on the Lower Shoshone - they're everywhere but most folks don't target them specifically. These silvery, bronze-colored fish run 10-16 inches and have small, downward-pointing mouths perfect for bottom feeding. You'll find them in deeper pools and slower runs, especially during winter when they're most active. While some call them "trash fish," they're actually great fighters on light tackle and surprisingly good eating when smoked or fried. They live longer than most trout - up to 18 years - and can really pack into certain stretches of river. Winter is when they shine, feeding heavily on aquatic insects when other fish slow down. Here's a local secret: use smaller flies than you would for trout - size 14-16 nymphs fished right on the bottom. They have tiny mouths, so downsize your hooks and you'll hook up consistently.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows in the Lower Shoshone run 8-20 inches and are known for their acrobatic fights - they'll jump clear out of the water when hooked. You'll find them throughout the river, but they especially like the deeper pools and eddies below riffles. They feed actively during our prime season from late August through mid-April when irrigation flows drop and the water clears up. What makes rainbows special is their willingness to take both dry flies and nymphs, plus they're excellent table fare with that signature pink flesh. The distinctive red stripe along their silvery sides makes them easy to identify. One local trick: during the cooler months, try a pheasant tail nymph with a small split shot about 18 inches up from the fly - it gets down to their level without spooking them in the clear water.
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