Wind River Range

[budman]

We are planning a trip to the Wind River Range in middle to late August. The plan is to backpack into some lakes to do some trout fishing. Planning on a five day trip. Looking for any help I can get on trails, lakes and baits. 

[fshndoug]

you should check with the state fish and game commission,you could be getting the wrong advice on baits.The advice could be coming from someone that uses bait in a lure only section.I see people using things that are prohibited all the time.

[budman]

I should have used what flies does anyone recommend because we will only be taking fly rods. We plan on getting some advice from a fly shop there when we get our WY fishing but thought I might get a little early advice.

[Dylan Cluver]

I'm not sure what elevation you will be at or that it will matter but that time of the year I would have some hoppers, and throw some woolly buggers and different variations. There's a pretty good fly shop in Laramie across the street from McDonalds that's worth a stop. I LOVE Wyoming. 

[shrapnel]

You should consider hiring a guide and floating the Wind River Canyon!

[tanvat]

Budman, I'm sorry for the late reply - just saw this topic.   The Winds are phenomenal.   I've had the good fortune to spend several weeks backpacking/fishing the Winds over a number of years.  I've got to backpack and fish in Colorado, Yellowstone, the Beartooths in MT, all around Jackson Hole, WY and the Winds are the best place I've ever been for hiking/fishing period.  The total experience of the scenery, remoteness and fishing is hard to beat and if you can go, go and go for as long as possible.

 Mid to late August is ideal from the perspective minimal mosquitos.   Fishing should be good too.   Here are some recommendations from trips I've done that are great for a 5 night trip - though 5 nights is a bare minimum to access the core of the range unless you're in top physical condition.  Before doing any of these trips I'd alot at least one day camping near the trailhead to give your body time to adjust to the altitude.   Also, the Pinedale Outdoor Shop in Pinedale, WY offers shuttles b/t trailheads so you can do a point to point hike that can open up more terrain in  a shorter timeframe - plan on a $125.00 or so for this service.   Worth it in my opinion.

1.  Big Sandy TH to East Fork Valley.  Big Sandy is on the west side of the range south of Pinedale, WY.  Its one of the busiest trailheads as it accesses the Cirque of the Towers as well as a number of fine long-distance loops.   Avoid the crowds and go North along the Fremont Trail and camp at Dad's Lake (6 miles) on night one or even further at Skull Lake - stunning camping at Skull Lake - small brookies in 2002.  Head west, cross-country via a very manageable route down to the East Fork Valley and you'll find a valley that will have you thinking  you are in Patagonia.  From Mt. Geike to Mt. Bonneville there is a sheer 1,000 - 1,300 wall of grantite that shelters the East Fork river and several lakes along the way.  May still be goldens in the upper lakes; I've been through the East Fork but did not fish; goldens may persist in the upper lakes - definitely fish all over though.   This valley may be the most beautiful place I've ever seen - that, plus ample fishing opps. makes it special.  Not crowded either.   Very doable in a 5 night trip without having to do a death march.   Could make it easier by camping along the Fremont and doing a day trip down to the East Fork; then could also do a day trip up Washakie Creek to the Shadow Lake area - if you have a topo map, this will all make sense.

2.  Fiddlers Lake TH to Silas Canyon.  This is on the west side of Lander, WY.  Good brookie fishing in numerous lakes in lower basin; cutthroats and some goldens in the upper lakes.  TH starts in the pines and is forested for the first few miles - upper Silas Lake about 3 or 4 miles in would be a good first nights camp - nice view of the mountain portal to the upper basin where the cutts are.   Spend three nights up at Thumb Lake and explore the lakes in the basin and the interconnecting streams.  Very pretty timberline basin with some jagged peaks and sharp walls.   Smaller basin than upper East Fork and not as insanely scenic, but pretty nonetheless and the fishing is probably better than the East Fork - the disclaimer is that I've only hiked through East Fork and did not fish.   Have fished Silas and its good.   Very manageable trip for 5 nights.   Could even do it in 3.

3.  Sweetwater Gap - Tayo Park base camp.   Sweetwater Gap is the southernmost and least utilized TH in the Winds.  Last two miles to TH are rough - in 2003 I drove a Subaru to the TH but it was, well "technical" as there were ruts over a foot deep.  No idea what the road is like now, but I doubt its better.  From TH its 6 miles to Sweetwater Gap on the Continental Divide.   You follow the headwaters of the Sweetwater River - small pocket water for browns and brooks.   Drop over to Tayo Park - a large and beautiful meadow with Tayo Creek and brookies.   Could base there and do dayhikes up toward Poison Lake (brooks), Mountain Sheep Lake (brooks) and Coon Lake (goldens) - creek fishing too.   Could also take fairly strenuous day hike to Ice Lakes and fish that basin - brooks.   If in particularly good shape, could make it Ice Lakes and then explore the fantastic Deep Creek Lakes - cutts and goldens.   Add two miles if you can't drive to TH.  Great scenery, feels really remote and good fishing.   About 10 - 11 miles from Sweetwater TH to Tayo Park.

There are so many others, but these would be good.   Could also look at the Deep Creek Lake basin out of Big Sandy TH - popular rock climbing area so would see some people.   Fantastic scenery - fishing OK from smallish brookies and some cutts - camping at Rapid Lake provides some solitude and access to the Temple Lakes.   This will be my next trip hopefully next year as my two  sons will both be old enought to make the trek.   Again, check out your maps and it'll all make sense.

 

Happy Trails!   As folks younger than say or used to say, its gonna epic!