Wyoming Fishing Company

I guide western waters under the permits of the legendary Wyoming Fishing Company, owned and operated by the great and powerful Ryan Hudson, who has been working this local venue for over 20 years. At WyoFishCo, our team is comprised of a guerilla force of blue-collar guides who dispatch from our homes, operate our own equipment and, subcontract as professionals under the outfit’s permits. As contractors, our roster of rockstars enjoy liberties not so commonly found in large corporatized operations or well-backed fly shops. We are free to explore, develop and, fine-tune our programs and with that grace we are perpetually pushing the limits of what can be offered from our boats and other equipment.

We are permitted from the headwaters of our cozy little basin, down through the reservoirs, and into the tailwaters. Our freestone arenas provide a narrow window of absolutely mind-blowing dry fly opportunities on truly megalithic wild trout while, our tailwaters provide a broader season made up of a myriad of conditions which harbor ample opportunity to link up with some of the hardest fighting trophy trout on this continent.

Tailwaters

Encompassed in our portfolio of permitted water is a thirty-five mile long stretch of water managed and protected under federal conservation ordinances. This area is guarded vigorously as a preservation unit and guided operations here are very exclusive. Of only 20 roster spots available, 5 WFC guides (myself included) are permitted to work there. Due to the stringent protection orders covering this water, as well as the continuous habitat and eco-system improvement efforts put forth by the managing agency, the fish that dwell there are unfathomably large and more powerful than words can truly express. It would be easy for an angler who has never fished here to underestimate the veracity and stamina of these freshwater brutes but, this would be a severe mistake. We like to describe this as an “angler’s river” – meaning that skill, perseverance and, luck all must align in harmony for success to be realized however, the rewards are great for those who are willing to work for them.

In recent years, our prime dates on the tailwaters have been booking up exceptionally fast so, don’t wait to get your dates locked down! Send me an message using the form below and I’ll get you all the details needed to shoot your shot at these goliaths.

Lil’ New Zealand

For the more purist leaning contender, I operate a very narrow window of my season with the WFC in a theater made for the true dry fly angler. Imagine for a moment, in your mind’s eye, a glass surface and slow moving current in crystalline water – surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in the northern hemisphere – while wildlife roams the banks and 20” wild trout gently slurp incapacitated adults off the dorsal most layer of the film. That’s Li’l New Zealand; a fishery of abundance for the skilled dry fly sharp shooter, when the bugs are coming off and the fish are looking up. Beyond the fishing, nothing beats the scenery up in Grizzly Bear country and, I often find myself struggling to balance my angler’s attention between soaking in the iconically western views of this venue and keeping a weary eye on his drifting imitation floating in line with the natural banks and sand bars. 

This is no game for the inexperienced. Just to present a fly to these fish requires an accurate reach cast and an aggressive approach to subtlety. When a working fish is sighted, I often find myself setting up the boat long before we are within shooting distance – so that I can ship the oars to ensure no wake is made on the water surface as we begin our approach. An indication of success in that regard is a happy fish who continues to feed, despite our obvious presence, so I can coach my anglers into the appropriate lane. 

Admittedly, I’m partial to this small breach in the season, when the conditions are right and the fish are active. This hunt is about the authentic and pure aspects of this sport I love, as they are dissolving into the history books; and celebrating them during the precious few days this extreme environment gifts us every year, when the opportunities are rich and the days are primed to make unforgettable experiences. 

My Lil’ New Zealand season is extremely vulnarable to the speratic conditions associated to living in this incredibly wild place. Therefore, stay in the know with changes and updates to my program by subscribing to my newsletter below.

The window of opportunity for this hunt is very small and the vast majority of our available dates are tyically booked by return clents, year after year however, we typically have a few remaining days available at the start of the season and they vary greatly based on current conditions so, if you’d like to try your hand at this be sure to reach out ASAP!

Freestone

Throughout the majority of our season, the freestone provides ample opportunity on trophy sized, wild trout. Beginning in the early spring, as the rivers thaw and the water is still too low to push a hardsided boat, we run these waters from our tactically elfin inflatables. Later, as the water rises and the bugs start popping off, from the headwaters to the reservoir this river becomes an opportunity rich environment for anglers of all caliber and experience. 

I particularly enjoy combining methodology during this time of year, utilizing multi-column rigs to target fish feeding in both the demersal zone and on the surface. Throughout the summer months, the dry fly fishing is incredible and aggressively voracious, feeding fish can be witnessed taking big foam-bodied bugs and refusing to submit in the ensuing fight. 

As the color of the trees brighten, giving way to the fall season, the Kokanee Salmon begin making their spawning runs. The result is a river turned blood red in spots and littered with lake run trout who’ve followed the firetruck resembling spawners up river with the intention of gorging themselves on the redds. Giant, iridescent sided rainbows and violently vibrant, butter colored browns treat an angler to a unique experience under the late season sun. 

Prime dates on my boat book up early in the season so, if you wish to fish with me, please dont hesitate to reach out with any questions or to start the process of getting your dates locked down. If you miss me this season, no worries! I work with an allstar team of local guides and I can certainly help you get linked up with somebody who can show you a great day on the water. Give me a holler!

A Truly Wild Place

This is an invitation to come visit me, in one of the last few truly wild places in the world. Wyoming, and my little basin in particular, is a land of extremes. I want you to enjoy your time here but also, you should be aware that the weather and conditions here are volatile and sometimes brutal. I’ve had golfball sized hail run me off the river in July, and I’ve seen winters when the boat ramps can’t be accessed until May. On average, you’ll be staying and recreating at an elevation of 7,000ft or greater. The thinner air and decreased oxygen saturation here can be something to get used to for the first few days, if you’ve never stayed anywhere this high up in the mountains before. Likewise, the radiant heat from the sun can be a pleasant warmth on a relatively colder day however, it also serves to force you to accept the very real consequences of sun burn. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a quality rain coat, and the appropriate wading/wet recreation attire for the time of year are all essentials to bring with you when you visit. I work with a local retailer called Whiskey Goats and, if you purchase the gear I suggested through their website prior to coming out this way, you can take advantage of my discount code by using “AWOW10” at checkout.

Another aspect to consider when visiting is the abundant wildlife. Grizzly bears are becoming more prominent in this region so, I would advise against any type of excursion into the high country or surrounding foothills without (at the very least) bear spray. It’s also a good idea to get a bit of knowledge about our local bear populations by visiting the WYG&F website and familiarizing yourself with the “be bear aware” protocols and best practices. Here’s a link to their resources on the subject. Additionally, wolves and mountain lions make up a supplement to the catalog of apex predators in the region however, the critter doesn’t have to be sporting sharp teeth to pose a threat. It seems that every year there’s at least one viral video circulated of a new instance of a Yellowstone tourist being taught the cruel realities of nature after assuming the Bison there could be approached without reprisal. I warn you of these things not as a mechanism to deter or frighten you but, as a means to make you aware for when you aren’t with a guide and adventuring on your own.

You’ll need a fishing license, purchased from the Wyoming Game & Fish or an authorized retailer before you meet any of our guides at the ramp. I’ve found it’s simplest to just purchase it online by visiting this link. If you plan to fish for more than 5 days, as a non-resident, you’ll need to purchase a conservation stamp in conjunction with your fishing license. I’ve embedded the current fishing regulations below.

Logistics

Depending on where you plan on staying, there are plenty of accommodations in the area to keep you comfortable. Visit the Wyoming Fishing Company website and click on the “accomodations” page to see our partners in Sublette County. The town of Pinedale has a handful of hotels, some great restaurants and even some unique shopping experiences. I would recommend staying there if your adventure includes the freestone or headwaters. If you’re coming out to fish the tailwaters with us, Kemmerer would be the next town with decent accommodations and dining. There are a few towns in between that serve well for a short stay and, depending on what your itinerary looks like, I can get you dialed in on the best place to stay for your trip. Let’s chat about it when we plan your trip! 

Getting to us is easy enough. We have two nearby regional airports; one in Jackson (JAC) and one in Rock Springs (RKS). United flies in and out of both, as well as Delta. Both locations have car rental depots or, if you’d rather, my pals at Laughing Bear Shuttles can pick you up! Much of our work here relies on the helpful hands at LBS. Give them a holler if you’d like a ride to or from the airport or, if you’re ever in the area floating our rivers DIY style. While fishing with me, it’s very likely you’ll get to know the LBS crew a bit. I don’t trust anyone else with my rig. They have a very helpful website and you can find it here.

Even More to Experience

As I write these words, Ryan and the administrative support crew at the WFC are working diligently to get our guys the permitting needed to be able to offer a few other VERY cool experiences. I won’t speak much about them now but, know that the boys and I are out there exporing and familiariazing ourselves with new arenas and species often. We are constantly working to push the boundaries of adventure and, with the promise of these conceptual ideas, we are very excited to be able to announce those offering soon. Stay tuned.

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