Thermopolis fish trip advice needed (Casper, Big Horn: where to stay, for rent, casino)

[Tyster]

Howdy everyone!

I am planning to take my dad on a surprise fly fishing trip in late August and I have focused my attention on Thermopolis. This sort of trip has been a lifelong dream of his and Thermopolis seems to fit the bill.

Just wondering if anyone here is familiar with Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing. They offer guides for fishing on the Big Horn river. It's pricey but a friend of mine who is a pro bass fisherman recommends using a guide for at least our first outting (we will be there for 3 days). Does anyone have any experience with these folks? Anyone else I should be looking at?

Also, any general advice about where to stay, or not stay, is much appreciated.

Lastly, what is the Indian casino like on the reservation? Is it just slots or do they have tables as well?

Many Thanks for any insight you may have!

Tyster

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Tyster

Howdy everyone!

I am planning to take my dad on a surprise fly fishing trip in late August and I have focused my attention on Thermopolis. This sort of trip has been a lifelong dream of his and Thermopolis seems to fit the bill.

Just wondering if anyone here is familiar with Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing. They offer guides for fishing on the Big Horn river. It's pricey but a friend of mine who is a pro bass fisherman recommends using a guide for at least our first outting (we will be there for 3 days). Does anyone have any experience with these folks? Anyone else I should be looking at?

Tyster

I agree with your friend. Fishing is always iffy if you simply cast in water. A local farmer could tell you, "I've fished there for 30 years and never caught anything." But how would you know unless "Somebody" told you. So hiring a guide is a very smart thing to do. Costly, yes. But then again how costly is a 3 day trip when you get skunked?

Don't know much about Thermop so I can't help with the rest. Sorry.

[eiafjam]

MY brother is a guide on the Platte River near Casper. DM me and I can give you the web address for him. I have fished with him and after a couple of hours was worn out catching. He and his girlfriend also have a Bed and Breakfast right on the river.

[shadowwalker]

Contact the chamber of commerce. There is one sporting goods store and one or two guide services there. I don't remember their names but they could help.

[WyoNewk]

A fishing buddy and I tossed my raft in the water just below the rapids south of Thermopolis several years ago and drifted down to the city park, iirc. We didn't do well at all, but it was a nice float, although slow. I don't know how good the fishing might be. We weren't trying too hard.

I used to fish the Bighorn River below the damn at Fort Smith, MT regularly and always did pretty well. (It's a Blue Ribbon river and is fly fishing only -- big German browns and rainbows.) The fly shop there can arrange guides if you give them a little notice, and drift boats are available for rent. They'll help you get the boat in the water, then pick you up 5 miles (I think) downstream when you tell them to. I used to fly into the little landing strip, radio them 10 minutes ahead of time and they'd meet us, get us in the water, and pick us up downstream several hours later and haul us back to the plane. Great service and reasonably priced.

Yes, unless you're fishing with someone who really knows the river, get a guide the first time out.

I can't recall the name of the fly shop we used, but just Google "Fort Smith, MT fishing" and make your choices.

There's also lots of excellent fly fishing throughout Yellowstone and adjoining it in all directions.

It might be fine around Thermopolis in August, but I'd advise you to make sure before you go there for this once-in-a-lifetime fishing adventure.

I've gotten away from fishing over the past 15 years, although I plan to start again this summer!

[georgiainwyo]

Originally Posted by WyoNewk

A fishing buddy and I tossed my raft in the water just below the rapids south of Thermopolis several years ago and drifted down to the city park, iirc. We didn't do well at all, but it was a nice float, although slow. I don't know how good the fishing might be. We weren't trying too hard.

I used to fish the Bighorn River below the damn at Fort Smith, MT regularly and always did pretty well. (It's a Blue Ribbon river and is fly fishing only -- big German browns and rainbows.) The fly shop there can arrange guides if you give them a little notice, and drift boats are available for rent. They'll help you get the boat in the water, then pick you up 5 miles (I think) downstream when you tell them to. I used to fly into the little landing strip, radio them 10 minutes ahead of time and they'd meet us, get us in the water, and pick us up downstream several hours later and haul us back to the plane. Great service and reasonably priced.

Yes, unless you're fishing with someone who really knows the river, get a guide the first time out.

I can't recall the name of the fly shop we used, but just Google "Fort Smith, MT fishing" and make your choices.

There's also lots of excellent fly fishing throughout Yellowstone and adjoining it in all directions.

It might be fine around Thermopolis in August, but I'd advise you to make sure before you go there for this once-in-a-lifetime fishing adventure.

I've gotten away from fishing over the past 15 years, although I plan to start again this summer!

The one little store/fly shop they had in Ft. Smith burned down a couple of years ago. I don't know if it has been rebuilt or if there is another one there now or not.

[Tyster]

Hey everyone!

Many Thanks to everyone for your kind advice! It's been very helpful! Once Dad and I get back maybe I'll post some pictures.

God Bless!

Tyster