Wyoming

[derik d]

There are bass in Wyo, but not in any of the river systems. It's just way too cold.

[RedHeron]

Looks like somebody tried to make it happen.
http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-a...cials-worried/

I'm surprised there's no smallmouth...it can't be colder than Canada can it?

[Flyfisher]

I think that smallmouth were basically transplanted everywhere and just took hold. I would think out west since the majority of the streams are cold year round that the native trout species would dominate any bass that you tried to stock.

I still cannot wrap my head around floatign a river that would produce smallies here that out west would produce rainbows, cutthroats and browns.......

guess that means i need to make a road trip with the yak on top

[Jump n Fish]

I think that smallmouth were basically transplanted everywhere and just took hold. I would think out west since the majority of the streams are cold year round that the native trout species would dominate any bass that you tried to stock.

I still cannot wrap my head around floatign a river that would produce smallies here that out west would produce rainbows, cutthroats and browns.......

guess that means i need to make a road trip with the yak on top

The river laws out west are a whole different animal. Trying to access any stream to float is nearly impossible unless you have $$$$ and lots of it. There are very very few trout holding waters that would be considered navigable, and accessible to the general public. There are plenty of streams you can hike into and wade fish, but finding a float where you can pull up to a bridge, launch a kayak and takeout at another bridge would be pretty slim. Not saying there aren't opportunites, but its something you definitely need to research before you drive all the way up there with the yak. Landowners build gates across the river to block floating. You get out and try to portage and you're trespassing. Landowners own the river bed. Dropping anchor, even dragging a lure across the bottom can be considered trespassing. That section of the North Platte is one of the worst. Protesters often try to float it, but usually end up in jail. High dollar sportsmen clubs typically own most of the land along big floatable rivers like that, and they have the law on their side.

Its pretty sad. Something I hope to never see happen in the rest of the country, but if there was a bright side, the rivers don't get abused like they do in the rest of the country. You don't see the trash and overharvest. Trout are a very fragile fish that have very specific water quality needs and also fish handling. It doesn't take much to ruin a natural trout stream.

So you'll see an entirely different attitude and approach to river fishing when it comes to those western mountain states. There are probably a few float options that you won't have to pay for, but definitely research that ahead of time, otherwise you'll find yourself very disappointed when you arrive.

[Jump n Fish]

Looks like somebody tried to make it happen.
http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-a...cials-worried/

I'm surprised there's no smallmouth...it can't be colder than Canada can it?

Although I can't say for certain, there should be smallmouth in some of those waters. The upper elevation mountain streams they would be unlikely, but that North Platte has reservoirs both up and downstream where smallmouth are located. I don't know how they would keep them from migrating through the river. Largemouth as well, I'm not sure how they can assume those LM were stocked illegally when they could've come from a reservoir on the river. It would be very unlikely that a breeding population of smallies and LM would inhabit the river though because of that river being dominated by trout. There are some monster trout in that section of the river and the bass would probably be outcompeted. Also not a lot of ideal bass habitat as well. The gradient of that river is super fast. Not much deep water or slack current at all, just shallow gravel bottom with a screaming current the whole way. I can't really think of any other rivers in wyoming off the top of my head that might have smallies, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few out there I don't know about.

[smfisher]

I found this it sounds like it has Smallies. The Belle Fourche is like many Wyoming rivers in that it provides anglers, especially fly-fishermen, with quality Wyoming fishing. Game species caught on the Belle Fourche include black bullhead, channel catfish, smallmouth bass and sunfish.

http://www.anglerweb.com/fishingspot...ocationid=7017

[turkey]

who is this ding5689...somebody get this jack leg off of here

[Bamaboy]

I live in Wy now and although I have harassing the trout, I have been doing my homework on the Bass in the area. The Belle Fourche and the Tongue boath have smallmouth in them. Some of the res. do also. I will keep ya'll posted when the rivers thaw out and I can wade in them not walk on them!
Bama

[Harv]

Anybody ever fish around Jackson hole? I'm heading out that way and need to know if I should pack a collapsable rod and reel or not.

[blake]

Harv, I fished in Eastern Idaho, just west of Jackson Hole. Lots of good trout water, ie world class.

[Harv]

What kind of liscenses or permits did you have to get?

[blake]

I was in Idaho (box canyon on Henry's fork of the Snake). Got a one day trout fishing license through a flyshop/outfitter in West Yellowstone, MT and hired a guide to row me in a drift boat. I also worked down towards Gros Ventre (which is closer to Jackson Hole) and saw lots of drift boats. There is also some fantastic fishing inside Yellowstone.

When will you be in Jackson Hole? I'll ask my buddy who guided the fishing trips for a resort ranch for several years in Jackson Hole for suggestions.

[Harv]

Between July 7-14. Taking an RV trip to yellowstone/jackson hole and then up to glacier national park. Yellowstone had some beautiful rivers but I fiqured the sulfur would be too much for any fish in the streams and lakes.

[blake]

You will probably have high water from snowpack run off. Check with the local outfitters to be sure. There were 4 or 5 outfitters in West Yellowstone and several more just outside of town, I am sure there are several in J-hole. Often smaller streams will peak at different times than the larger streams. Yes there are a few areas to affected by sulfer and/or hot water but there are lots of miles of fishable water. All the outfitters offer both wading and drift boat trips. Might be worth it to hire a guide for day and plug him for suggestions to fish for the rest of the week.

[Harv]

Outstanding! Thanks for the info.