Fly Fishing the Green River, Wyoming

The Green River starts at Green River Lakes, high on the Stroud Peak on the western side of the Wind River Mountain Range and just north of Pinedale, Wyoming. It continues 200 miles, through the Sage brush steppe, thru Fontenelle Reservoir and into the Flaming Gorge Reservoir just below the town of Green River and finally empties into the Colorado River. It is often said that the Green River is the most overlooked river in the Western United States.

It travels through the most beautiful sections of the state of Wyoming. The trip to the Green River is worth it just for the scenery and the wild animals including moose and antelope. Eagles and Osprey are perched in the tall cottonwoods overlooking the ducks and the sandhill cranes bobing in the waters. In addition to the spectacular scenery, the Green River offers a variety of water types including pocket water, cut banks, riffles, runs and pools.

The first 140 miles of the 200 mile river are freestone and the remaining 60 miles are excellent tailwaters. As mentioned above, it starts in the Green River Lake where the rainbow trout fishing is not at all bad, then for the first 30 miles it flows through Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fishing in this area is excellent with the trout averaging 14 to 16 inches and the access is excellent as well. After leaving the National Forest, it flows through private lands for approximately twelve miles until it comes to the next public access.

These waters can be floated in a rubber raft type boat but there is a lot of white water that can be difficult to navigate so some experience is required. In this upper section, the river flows around large boulders and over smaller boulders but can be easy waded.

Where Warren Bridge crosses US Highway 191 near the little town of Bronx, public water is again available and there is a boat launch there, but you will now see more anglers as well. The five mile stretch from Warren Bridge to Daniel where US 191 and US 189 intersect, is one of the most popular stretches on the Green river. The next 35 miles of the Green River provides little access but can be floated.

The public access becomes more prevalent beyond New Fork River but still float fishing will prove to be the most productive and guides are available to help out. After several more miles, the Green River flows into the Fontenelle Reservoir which impounds 20 miles of the river.

From the dam at the Fontenelle Reservoir to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a run of approximately 75 miles where the access is good. Below the dam at Fontenelle Reservoir, the river has some huge trout. Although the numbers are not all that great, the tailwater section has some brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout over twenty inches.

Fishing the Green River:

The upper reaches of the Green River are freestone and area is quite remote, but the trout can be taken easily by wading. In the areas where the water is higher and access is limited, a float trip is recommended. However, be certain that you know where the take out areas are located because droping an anchor on the river is prohibited by state law.

Spring:

The Green River is high during the spring runoff period, but it is still plenty fishable. Most of the fishing is done with large streamers and big nymphs. There is some dry fly fishing but by far the best way to catch one of its large trout is below the surface.

Summer:

The great summer fishing begins after the spring run off which is occurring in May and June. Attractor patterns in the hook sizes of 12 to 16 fished along the banks will be productive. The Pale Morning Duns and the Spotted Sedges will be excellent fly patterns for the summer as will be the terrestrials.

Fall and Winter:

The fall season is one of the best seasons to be on the Green River and the Blue Winged Olive hatches are bountiful. Also it is an excellent time for the streamers. The Green River can be fished all year long and the midge patterns will work best in the winter.