Full Day Guided Trout Fly Fishing Trip In Dubois, WY
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Fullday guided fly fishing in Wyoming's remote backcountry wildernessTrek to hidden alpine streams targeting Golden Trout, Cutthroats, and BrownsExpert guidance provided for accessing secluded waters away from crowds
If you're looking for a top-rated fly fishing adventure that combines serious angling with genuine backcountry exploration, this full-day guided trip near Dubois is exactly what you need. We're talking about hiking into Wyoming's remote wilderness where most folks never get to wet a line – those hidden alpine streams and crystal-clear lakes that hold some of the healthiest trout populations in the Rockies. This isn't your typical roadside fishing spot. You'll be working for these fish, but trust me, the payoff is worth every step. With one-on-one guidance and a hearty lunch to keep you fueled, you'll spend the day learning techniques that'll make you a better angler while surrounded by some of the most pristine country Wyoming has to offer.
This world-class backcountry experience starts early with a hike that gets your blood pumping and your mind focused. We'll be accessing waters that require some real effort to reach – think alpine lakes nestled between towering granite peaks and meandering streams that wind through meadows where elk graze at dawn. The hiking varies depending on conditions and where the fish are most active, but you should be ready for anywhere from a moderate trek to some legitimate backcountry travel. Once we reach the water, you'll understand why this customer favorite trip books up fast. These trout haven't seen much pressure, which means they're aggressive and willing to take well-presented flies. The scenery alone will have you reaching for your camera, but when you feel that first strike from a wild cutthroat in water this pristine, you'll know you're experiencing something special. We keep groups small – just you and your guide – so you get personalized instruction and can fish at your own pace.
Backcountry fly fishing requires a different approach than what you might use on popular tailwaters or stocked ponds. We'll be working with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers depending on conditions, but the real skill is reading water that changes character from high alpine lakes to fast-flowing creeks. Your guide will teach you how to approach spooky fish in gin-clear water, how to handle the wind that's common at elevation, and how to present flies in tight quarters where every cast counts. We provide all the gear you need, including rods appropriate for these conditions, but if you have favorites you'd like to bring, that works too. The techniques you'll learn here – like high-sticking in pocket water and reading subsurface currents – will make you more effective wherever you fish. Plus, we'll cover backcountry safety and Leave No Trace principles so you can explore responsibly on your own future adventures.
The target species in these waters represent some of the finest wild trout fishing in Wyoming, and each one offers something different for anglers. Rainbow trout are the most aggressive fighters you'll encounter here, typically running 12-16 inches with some reaching into the 18-plus range. They're most active during the warmer parts of the day and will absolutely demolish a well-presented dry fly during hatches. What makes rainbows special in this backcountry setting is their condition – these fish are thick, healthy, and will test your drag system with runs that'll surprise you.
Brown trout are the craftiest residents in these waters, often holding in the deepest pools and under cut banks where they've learned to ambush prey. They're typically larger than the rainbows, with fish in the 14-18 inch range common, and the occasional trophy pushing 20 inches or better. Browns are most active early and late in the day, making them perfect targets during our lunch break when other species might be less cooperative. Their reputation as selective feeders holds true here, but in backcountry waters they're often more willing to take chances on larger flies.
Mountain whitefish might not get the respect they deserve, but they're abundant in these systems and provide consistent action when trout are being finicky. They're excellent indicators of water quality – their presence means you're fishing in truly pristine conditions. While they average 8-12 inches, they fight harder than their size suggests and are perfect for practicing your technique between trout encounters.
Cutthroat trout are the crown jewel of Wyoming backcountry fishing, and these waters hold healthy populations of native fish that represent what Western trout fishing used to be everywhere. They're typically in the 10-14 inch range but what they lack in size they make up for in beauty and willingness to rise to dry flies. Cutthroats are most active during overcast conditions and will often feed aggressively during midday hours when other species shut down.
Brook trout, while not native to Wyoming, have established themselves in some of the highest elevation waters we access. They're stunning fish with vibrant colors that seem almost artificial, and they're incredibly willing to take small dry flies and nymphs. Most brook trout here run 8-12 inches, but their aggressive nature and the remote settings where you'll find them make every fish memorable.
This renowned backcountry fly fishing experience fills up quickly, especially during peak season when conditions are most reliable. You're getting more than just a guided fishing trip – you're investing in a day that combines world-class angling instruction, wilderness access that most people never experience, and the kind of one-on-one attention that makes average anglers into confident fly fishers. The lunch we provide keeps you energized for a full day on the water, and the single-person capacity means every minute is focused on your success and enjoyment. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, experience true backcountry fishing, or just need a day away from crowds and cell service, this trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. Don't wait – the best dates book months in advance, and once you experience fishing like this, you'll
Salvelinus FontinalisBrookies are the gems of our high alpine waters - small, colorful, and absolutely gorgeous with those wavy back markings and orange-red spots ringed in blue. Most run 6-12 inches in our mountain streams, but don't let size fool you - they're scrappy fighters. These char prefer the coldest, cleanest headwaters and beaver ponds where few anglers venture. They're most active in late spring through early fall when water temps stay below 65°F. What makes brook trout special is their beauty and the remote places you find them - often requiring serious hiking to pristine alpine settings. They're also fantastic eating with delicate, sweet meat. Here's my advice: use small flies like size 14-16 Adams or elk hair caddis, and approach carefully. Brookies spook easily in shallow water, so stay low and make accurate casts.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart ones - wary, selective, and built for survival. These golden-brown beauties with their black spots average 12-20 inches around here, but the old-timers hiding under cutbanks can surprise you. They're ambush predators that love deep pools, undercut banks, and fallen timber where they can stay hidden. Fall is prime time when they get aggressive before spawning, but low-light periods work year-round. What draws people to browns? They're challenging. You earn every fish, and when you hook one, they fight dirty with powerful runs and head shakes. The meat is excellent too - firm and flavorful. Here's a local trick: on pressured waters, try swinging a woolly bugger through deeper holes at dusk. Browns often hunt when other anglers have packed up.
Oncorhynchus ClarkiiCutthroats are Wyoming natives with that telltale red slash under their jaw - truly wild fish that belong in these mountains. Size varies a lot depending on water, but most run 10-16 inches with some lake-dwellers getting much bigger. They're less spooky than browns but pickier than rainbows, preferring clear, cold water with rocky or gravel bottoms. Look for them around vegetation, beaver dams, and brush overhangs. Spring and early summer are prime as insects start hatching heavily. Guests love cutthroats because they're beautiful, native, and willing to take dry flies when conditions are right. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, firm flesh. Local secret: during terrestrial season (late summer), try hopper patterns along grassy banks. Cutthroats are opportunistic and love a good grasshopper meal.
Prosopium WilliamsoniWhitefish might not be glamorous, but they're everywhere in our cold Wyoming waters and actually pretty fun to catch. These bronze-silver fish with the distinctive downturned mouths usually run 10-14 inches and love the same clean, cold streams as trout. You'll find them in deeper pools and slower runs, especially during winter when they're most active. They feed heavily on bottom insects with those specialized sucker mouths. Sure, some folks call them "trash fish," but they fight well on light tackle and are excellent smoked or pickled. Winter fishing can be slow for trout, but whitefish keep things interesting. Pro tip: use smaller nymphs like midges or caddis larvae, and fish them right on the bottom. They have small mouths, so downsize your hooks to 14-16.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows are what most folks picture when they think trout - that classic pink stripe and spotted silver body. Out here they typically run 12-18 inches, though we see some beauties pushing 20+. They love our cold, oxygenated mountain streams and hang around rocky pools, undercut banks, and anywhere there's good cover. Spring through early fall gives you the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot between 55-65°F. What makes rainbows special is their fight - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got. Plus they're fantastic eating with that mild, clean taste. My go-to tip: during mayfly hatches, watch for rises near eddies and current breaks. Cast upstream and let your dry fly drift naturally - no drag is key.
Dubois, WY