Please read the full description! Located along the world-renowned Bighorn River, this Thermopolis property offers access to one of the premier year-round fly-fishing destinations in the Rocky Mountain West. Flowing cold and clear from Boysen Dam, the Bighorn is a stable tailwater fishery that supports strong populations of rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, with consistent water temperatures and abundant insect life creating reliable fishing conditions for anglers of all experience levels. This booking includes a full day of private water access, along with one complimentary night of lodging at no additional cost - while use of lodging is not required, it is available as part of the package, and anglers should indicate in their booking request whether they plan to use it or not, as well as your desired group size, to help with planning. The lodge has 2 bedrooms only, so take that into consideration when planning with your group. This setup creates a great opportunity to fish a private stretch of the river, stay overnight, and spend additional time exploring other nearby waters around Thermopolis. Anglers will find success using a variety of techniques, with 5- or 6-weight rods and floating lines being standard; nymph rigs with midge larvae, Baetis nymphs, sow bugs, and scuds are productive, while dry fly fishing can be excellent when matching hatches like BWOs, PMDs, and caddis. For those targeting larger fish, streamers in olive, black, or white can be effective in deeper pools and along cutbanks where bigger browns tend to hold.

The Bighorn River is one of the most well-known fisheries in the West, beginning where the Wind River becomes the Bighorn at the “Wedding of the Waters” just north of Thermopolis, before flowing through the Bighorn Basin and past Hot Springs State Park. Cold, consistent flows coming out of Boysen Dam create an ideal tailwater environment that supports healthy populations of trout year-round. Rainbow trout are the most common, typically ranging from 16–20 inches with larger fish present, while brown trout are often found tight to structure and cutbanks, especially in deeper runs where they can reach impressive size. Cutthroat trout are also found in select stretches, adding a unique native species to the mix. The river’s steady insect hatches drive consistent fishing opportunities across all seasons, from strong Baetis and midge activity in the spring, to caddis, PMDs, and terrestrials in the summer, followed by aggressive pre-winter feeding in the fall and reliable winter fishing during milder days. With its combination of stable water conditions, diverse habitat, and year-round accessibility, this stretch of the Bighorn offers a dependable and well-rounded fly fishing experience.

Reservation fees are due at the time of booking and are non-refundable. Outdoorsman fees will automatically process 48 hours prior to the adventure. It is the responsibility of the party organizer to ensure each attending guest is added to the adventure at least 48 hours prior, so they are charged accordingly.

For waterfowl, fishing, and other small game adventures, cancellations made 48 hours or more prior to the scheduled adventure will not be charged. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the adventure will be charged the full outdoorsman fee.

Sunrise to sunset!

Spring (March – May): Trout feed heavily on Baetis, midges, and early caddis, making nymphing and dry fly fishing extremely productive.

Summer (June – August): Expect action on Yellow Sallies, PMDs, caddis, and hoppers. Terrestrial season is prime time for explosive topwater eats.

Fall (September – November): Cooler temperatures trigger aggressive feeding before winter, with strong Blue Wing Olive and midge hatches. Streamer fishing also heats up.

Winter (December – February): While colder, winter can still produce excellent fishing with small midges and nymph rigs, especially on sunny afternoons.