Guided Fly Fishing Trips
All of my guiding is currently through Reef Fly Shop and North Platte Lodge. We operate on the North Platte River in Alcova WY and the Bighirn River in Thermopolis.
the Reef Fly Shop and North Platte Lodge click below
North Platte & Big Horn River Rates
Reef Primer Trip: A two hour introduction to wade fishing the public water of Grey’s Reef, a dozen flies is included
Half Day Wade or Float Trips: $450.00 (lunch not included)
Full Day Wade or Float Trips: $550.00 (lunch included)
Spey Fishing Trips: Half Day $450.00 Full Day $550.00
Miracle Mile Wade or Float Trips: $575.00 lunch included (Because of drive time I do not offer half day trips to the Mile, also there is NO SHUTTLE service on the Miracle Mile, guest must have a car and be comfortable with a 45 minute drive on a dirt road to run a shuttle if we are floating.
Trophy Trout Trip: ALL day trip (10 hours compared to the normal 8 hours) for ONE ANGLER targeting BIG fish. Doing two separate floats is common so anglers can hit as many “hog holes” as possible $575.00
Big Horn River Trip: (In Thermopolis WY.) Full days only $575.00-Private Access is included at no additional charge, if you want to fish these private sections just let me know and we’ll do it! Lunch is included in all full day trips, but IS NOT included in half day trips. Shuttle accomdations will be taken care of by me at no additional charge (except the mile, see above). Guest will have access to all my rods and equipment. I have dry fly, nymphing, streamer & spey set ups you are more then welcome to use. I usually have at least 5 rods with me when I show up to work. Flies are always on me at no additional charge as well. I have extra jackets, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses & gloves for you too. I will always have a cooler with drinks and ice for you too.
Ryan with a stunner
COMING PREPARED!
Some things you should bring to be prepared:
Beautiful Wyoming
Sunglasses/eye protection
Clothing you wont mind getting wet
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Gloves
Shoes or boots capable of wading
A waterproof shell
WADERS: The Reef fly shop has a few pairs of rental waders at our disposal but I recommend bringing your own. I would not rely on them having every size wading boot and wader available. If you do not have clothing suitable for wading we can still fish and keep you dry by using the boat but please keep in mind this is a river, not having waders significantly reduces the number of places we can get you in and out of the boat while keeping you dry. It is still very doable but it does put constraints on our ability to do so. The Reef Fly Shop sells Simms Waders if you are interested in purchasing some upon your arrival. While I STRONLY RECOMMEND WADERS in the colder months, they are by no means neccessary. I have plenty of guest who do not own waders that can fish out of my driftboat even when its cold, it just requires a bit of tweaking.
Guest looking to come fish in the colder months should come prepared with layers and dress appropriately for the weather. Weather in early season fishing throughout the winter and spring can be volatile like anywhere in the Rockies. If its going to be cold I recommend bringing a shell of some kind to repel snow, rain and wind. Wearing adequate layers below a shell to stay warm is important too. I recommend fleece and down jackets if not both to stay warm for the anglers braving the elements of winter and spring fishing. Gloves of some kind are a must in cold weather! I recommend fingerless wool gloves, while they do tend to catch hooks (what gloves don’t thought haha) they allow anglers to have enough dexterity to successfully fish, while also providing warmth even when wet. If its really cold I recommend over sized work or ski gloves. Over sizing these allows more dexterity. If the gloves are a snug tight fit wrapping your palm and fingers around a fly rod all day will cause hand fatigue, but if you can get a hold of gloves that are big your hands won’t cramp as much. I’m only 5’9” 160 and I usually wear XL sized gloves. Warm hats and thick socks too! Obviously wearing appropriate footwear is crucial too, something that can handle a little bit of water and keep you warm will work fine. I know most of this is self explanatory but I like to avoid guest showing up in tennis shoes & sandals when its snowing!
I bring a dry bag I affectionately call the wardrobe for cold weather days. It contains extra layers, shells, handwarmers, warm hats & those big gloves I mentioned earlier. You are more then welcome to use any of my stuff to stay comfortable. I also usually have several pairs of old sunglasses you are welcome to use.
Guest looking to fish in the warmer months should also come prepared but you can leave the parkas! I highly recommend bringing a rain jacket shell. While we usually don’t need them its better to have it then not. Sunscreen is also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Theres a reason you see guides everywhere with sun hoodies! I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve suggested to people to put sunscreen on or to reapply and they don’t and one of one things happens…This is coming from a very pasty pale ginger too, respect the sun! Footwear as always is an important choice. Sandals, crocs, water shoes are all ok if it is warm enough just be logical. Sandals don’t grip the river bottom as well as wading boots do so be careful. Waders are usually overkill for summer months. Its just too hot for them most of the time. I frequently go swimming when we take lunch for example. So like dressing for the cold be reasonable and dress for the heat, no need to become too hot. But at the same time having an extra layer if we do get some weather is nice. Remember you can always take layers off.
As with colder months I bring plenty of extras for us all on the boat during summer and fall. I will have plenty of sunscreen, drinks and some rain jacket shells for you to use.
Drift Boat Fishing
Drift boats can hold 3 people total. So with me in the middle of the boat rowing, one guest can fish in the front seat of the boat with another angler in the rear of the boat behind the rower. Piling 4 people into one drift boat is far from ideal. Every outfitter I have worked for in Wyoming and Montana does not recommend having 4 people, for several reasons (this would mean one guide and three guest). In addition to safety issues, comfort is greatly sacrificed in this scenario. Only two anglers can fish at a time, leaving the third angler not fishing & affecting the rowability of the boat on top of being in one of the anglers way. The only time I allow three people in my boat is when the third guest is one of the guest child (who are always welcome!) I have done plenty of trips where a kid tags along and they usually work out great.
Felicity showing brown trout whose boss on the Madison River in Montana
Young anglers are always encouraged to come fishing! When I lived in Boulder Colorado, I was lucky to be able to help instruct a kids fishing camp for Rocky Mountain Anglers. Kids ages 8 through 12 made up our camp. I learned that taking kids fishing can be one of the most rewarding guiding and teaching experiences. I noticed taking kids fishing requires a laid back approach. My motto always was if they want to build sand castles, we are going to build sand castles. I try to emphasize having fun more then catching as many fish as possible, but if those two are one in the same, then by all means keep casting! Not “forcing” kids to fish and letting them have fun with it is key. Letting them row the boat, go swimming, doing bug hunts among other things can usually add up to a very fun day for the kids.