Tailwaters
Blue Ribbon Experience
Tailwaters of Wyoming
The tailwater destinations in Wyoming provide some of the best trout fishing in the country. Bucktrout Outfitters offers a variety of tailwater destinations to our fishing guests. The consistent water temperature, consistent water flows, nutrient-rich water, and easy access make tailwaters an excellent place to fly fish. Additionally, the challenging fishing conditions can provide an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers of all levels.
The North Platte River at Gray Reef exhibits a large variety of different water types. Gray Reef section of the Platte is a fairly wide and slow section of water for the first 25 miles below the dam. There are many slow drop offs and large turns in the river. Fish are often nosed up against these drop offs and are awaiting to feed as the food comes over the shallower areas and into the deeper pools.
The river itself has an abundance of fish food and there is a large variety of insects, and baitfish that trout feed on. This stretch of river is mostly known for its spunky rainbows that fight hard and feed often, along with three species of cutthroat trout, and the occasional monster brown trout. Gray reef to Lusby access is the most consistent fishing that the North Platte river offers.
As you continue downstream the river changes quite a bit. The water narrows in some areas and the focus switches from middle of the river fishing to more familiar pocket water and bank fishing. The downstream fishing really turns on in the fall and we often fish all the way to Glenrock, Wyoming, around 80 miles from Gray Reef dam. The travel to and from this destination is as easy as it gets. Most of the access can be accomplished in a car or minimal ground clearance vehicle.
Gray Reef dam is 30 minutes from Casper and the river flows directly through downtown Casper. In some instances, you can be on the water and fishing within 10 minutes of meeting your guides. Access to the reef is limited to established boat ramps and there is a lot of private river bed as you float down the river.
The land ownership is delineated by large red or blue signs along the river. Red and beyond is private, blue and beyond is public, this includes the riverbed, unlike other states like Montana that use a highwater mark. It is your responsibility as an angler if you are fishing or boating on your own, to know where you are and if you are on public or private land.
Average Fish Size-16-18 inches
The Miracle Mile stretch of the North Platte river is a beautiful tailwater in the middle of nowhere. The river is nestled right between the Seminoe Mountains and the Pedro Mountains and the stretch of floatable water is around 6.5 miles.
The mile offers the most aesthetic views from our list of fisheries and is one of the more unique experiences in the area. The mile is known most for its rugged terrain, terrible roadways, beautiful views, and the occasional pig of a trout.
The mile is one of the most finicky yet rewarding fisheries. The number of opportunities that an angler gets here is much less than that of the reef. You are trading quantity for quality at the mile. The mile is all about the experience, there is a lot of nostalgia when you are peering up at surrounding mountains and your indicator shoots under with a 24” trout on the end of your line. The mile fish are a different breed and despite using large tippets and heavy leaders, there are a lot of fish broken off at the mile due to their ferocity.
Most of the fish at the mile travel to and from Pathfinder reservoir and lake run fish are often full of spunk. The travel to and from the mile, from Casper, can range from 1.5-2.5 hours, and around 45 minutes to 1 hour from Alcova. The travel times vary based on road conditions, road construction, and how many other anglers are present at the boat ramps.
The mile can also be one of the busiest fisheries as it is the closest Wyoming tailwater to Colorado and all of the riverbanks are public land. Access to the mile is granted by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge, all of the riverbed and surrounding river banks are public access, there are no established boat ramps.
AVERAGE FISH SIZE- 20-22 INCHES
Fremont Canyon is a small tailwater stretch below Pathfinder reservoir. The canyon itself is a gorgeous granite uprise that offers beautiful views and variable access. Fremont is a walk and wade only section and offers large fish with small stream feels.
The fishing in Fremont can be very technical, this fishery has relatively easy access if you stay in the meadow, along with a good number of opportunities. Fremont is one of our busiest fisheries for these reasons. The meadow section of Fremont at Cardwell access is the most often fished portion of this tailwater.
There are mostly technical nymphing and dry fly fishing opportunities on this stretch of river. Fremont is an awesome alternative to boat fishing and can also exhibit large blanket hatches with feeding fish in sight. Anglers are often able to see these feeding fish and target them specifically, this is very pleasing to many anglers.
Fish are often confined to the deeper pools and angler success can be quite challenging due to the ease of access and high fishing pressure. Water flows are often low and extremely clear in Fremont canyon. Fishing delicate tippets and leaders often results in a fair number of hookups and delicate fighting of fish.
Access in this tailwater is accomplished by parking and walking downstream from the Cardwell access area, all access to Fremont has been granted by Pathfinder Ranches and it is available to the public by their generosity. There are mostly Rainbow trout caught in Fremont but there are also cutthroat and brown trout in this fishery. Fremont is about 45 minutes from Casper and around 15 minutes from Alcova.
Average Fish Size 18-20 inches
The Big Horn River is a large tailwater fishery near the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming. The Big Horn starts at the Wedding of the Waters access point and flows North for about 50 fishable miles.
The Big Horn offers spectacular views of surrounding cliffs, canyons, and farm lands. Access on the Big Horn is limited to established boat ramps and most of the riverbed is private property. The river itself is generally fast flowing and elevation changes result in large riffles and fast banks.
There is a larger percentage of brown trout in the Big Horn compared to the North Platte, there are also both rainbow trout and cutthroat trout in the Big Horn. The Big Horn is a fairly consistent fishery and offers opportunity in all types of fly fishing, the most productive being nymphing.
There are relatively small crowds on the Big Horn and it is somewhat easy to get away from other anglers. Most of the access can be accomplished in a car or minimal ground clearance vehicle. The Big Horn receives a moderate amount of pressure and the best opportunities can be in the early months of the year. Travel to the Big Horn/Thermopolis from Casper takes about 2 hours and we require a 2-day minimum when booking the Big Horn.
AVERAGE FISH SIZE 18-20 INCHES
