Wyoming trails and fly fishing

[Doublehaul]

Finally received my Benchmark Wyoming atlas (love Amazon).*** Now for the planning of our trip in August out to Wyoming to complete the cutthroat trout slam!*** I believe that the best place to start logistically is the tri-basin divide.**
*
I wanted to put my feelers out there for folks who have trout fished and/or done some 4x4 trails out in Wyoming – I’d like to try to get away from the masses for the best quality of fishing, so if we can get the 4runner off the pavement out on some easy/moderate trails for low risk of damage (don’t want our trip to end prematurely before we collect all four species!), that would be the best situation.***
*
I understand that most of the national parks will not allow any offroading – what about national forests such as bridger-teton, etc.?
*
Please chime in if you’ve done this before.*** Need all the help I can get – brand new to off-road expeditions, but not to hiking/fly-fishing.

 

[LOSTR4]

Finally received my Benchmark Wyoming atlas (love Amazon).*** Now for the planning of our trip in August out to Wyoming to complete the cutthroat trout slam!*** I believe that the best place to start logistically is the tri-basin divide.**
*
I wanted to put my feelers out there for folks who have trout fished and/or done some 4x4 trails out in Wyoming – I’d like to try to get away from the masses for the best quality of fishing, so if we can get the 4runner off the pavement out on some easy/moderate trails for low risk of damage (don’t want our trip to end prematurely before we collect all four species!), that would be the best situation.***
*
I understand that most of the national parks will not allow any offroading – what about national forests such as bridger-teton, etc.?
*
Please chime in if you’ve done this before.*** Need all the help I can get – brand new to off-road expeditions, but not to hiking/fly-fishing.

Scope our the Wind River Canyon...you will need a native American guide but you'll catch some lunkers throwing your flies up the river...beautiful, not many fish it, and it appears it flows uphill...Venture up north a bit to the Big Hole outside of Red Lodge, Montana...travel over Bear Tooth Pass into Yellowstone and you're guaranteed to be blown away!

 

[tweak]

Fished the North Platte last year outside Casper. Maybe not exactly what you're looking for but still a great fishery. The rainbows are crazy. Fighting like browns. Have fun!

 

[warrpath4x4]

not much help on the fishing since i didnt do much last summer, but if your around the rock springs area, look me up. we have the flaming gorge down here and everyone fishes it but you can still be out there all day and not see anyone

 

[steveni70]

Look into the middle Fork of the Powder River west of Kacey. I haven't been in a few years, but it's a light offroad drive. It's at the bottom of a gorge, about 800 ft almost straight down, and it's a different world down there compared to the top plateau. You park (or camp) at the top and hike down. It's a tough hike out, but it's less than 30 min. You'll want to find the 3rd access. You may see other campers at the top, but probably not anyone at the bottom. It can be tough wading, but it's my favorite fishing spot. Just don't tell anyone :

Also look into the Tongue river. Very fun small fish, and moose too! My friend has also been to Lake Angeline, which he says is a moderate 4x4 trail with a tough hike following, but unreal fishing.

 

[natehack5]

I am not going to be of any help with trip planning, but had to say this trip sounds great.

You chose Benchmark Maps, I have always gone with DeLorme's Atlas & Gazetteer. What do you like about the Benchmark Map series?

Be sure to take many pics and post them up so we can vicariously take the trip too

 

[fghstrhhu]

Fished the North Platte last year outside Casper

 

[BOSMECH]

Have you thought about going to Idaho or Washington they have great trout fishing.

 

[tweak]

Have you thought about going to Idaho or Washington they have great trout fishing.

I agree. The Henry's Fork is great and beautiful with the Tetons in the background.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Can't really help with fishing since the wife is the fisherman of the family (I'm the hunter. )

However, as far as access, yes, the National Parks in Wyoming don't have any "off roading" (though they do have some dirt roads.) National forests or BLM land also have marked roads/trails that you have to stay on but these can include 4wd trails that are marked as "roads." If you have questions, you can usually get a National Forest map that will show the marked/numbered forest service trails. These are often available at outdoor type stores or even the small grocery/convenience store/gas stations that are common in small Wyoming towns (best example: West Laramie Fly Store!)

The general rule is that as long as the road is marked and not "restricted" (some FS roads are restricted to ATVs/UTVs or Motorcycles only) then you can drive your 4x4 on it. Ditto for BLM (much of the desert and non forested areas of Wyoming are BLM.)