Fly Fishing Near Sheridan Wyoming: What You Actually Need to Know

Start at the Fly Shop of the Bighorns. This is not optional. Not because you need to buy anything, though they have it. Because the person who works Tuesday mornings fished the Tongue River canyon section last Thursday and will tell you exactly what was hatching at 8am and what wasn't. That information is worth more than anything you'll find online.

The Fly Shop of the Bighorns — Your First Stop

N. Main Street in Sheridan. Walk in before you fish anything. The staff here are not salespeople — they're anglers who work in a shop because it keeps them close to the water. They will tell you honestly if conditions are bad. They would rather you have a good experience and come back next year than sell you a license for a trip that won't produce fish.

Ask specifically about the Tongue River below the canyon — conditions there are different from the canyon section above. Ask what's hatching. Ask whether to nymph or dry fly. Ask which section of Big Goose Creek is fishing best this week. They'll tell you. That's why they're here.

Wyoming fishing license at the same counter. Non-resident day license available. Kids under 14 fish free with a licensed adult.

The Waters — Matched to Your Experience

Tongue River Canyon — The Signature Water

The canyon section of the Tongue River is 20 minutes west of downtown Sheridan on Hwy 14. The trailhead has no sign — look for the trucks. The water runs cold year-round, cold enough in August that your feet numb in under a minute. The fish hold in the deep pools through summer because the temperature stays in the sweet spot that trout prefer.

This is experienced-wader territory. The rocks are slippery, the current is swift in sections, and the canyon walls mean you're committed once you're in. Fish in the 14–18 inch range are realistic in the deeper pools. Bring wading boots with felt or studded soles — not hiking boots, not sandals.

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Fishing guests stay an average of 5.1 nights — longer than any other guest category. The water keeps them.

— Wyo Stays Guest Data

Big Goose Creek — The Meadow Dry Fly

If the Tongue River canyon is the dramatic, technical water, Big Goose Creek near Story is the reward for patience. Classic meadow stream fishing. PMD hatches peak in July and the dry fly opportunities are what bring intermediate anglers back. The banks are gentle, the wading is manageable, and the setting — green meadows against Bighorn foothills — is the reason people photograph fly fishing.

Access points along Hwy 193 south of Sheridan. The Story area has the best stretches. Late afternoon is prime time when the hatches are on.

Bighorn River Tailwater — The Premier Fishery

The Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam, approximately 90 minutes west of Sheridan, is one of the top trout fisheries in North America. The tailwater maintains consistent temperatures year-round, which means the fishing never truly shuts off. Winter nymphing can be exceptional when other waters are frozen or blown out.

This is guided water. You can wade-fish sections near the access points, but the river is best experienced from a drift boat with a guide who knows the seams. The Fly Shop of the Bighorns can arrange guided float trips. Budget a full day — the drive plus the float makes this a commitment, but it's the kind of fishing day you'll reference for years.

Hatch Chart — What's Happening When

Guided vs. DIY — An Honest Assessment

Hire a guide when: You're new to the area and have limited days. You want to fish the Bighorn River (drift boat access). You're an intermediate caster who wants to level up. You want someone else to read the water while you focus on the cast.

Fish independently when: You have 3+ days and can afford a slow start. You've fished comparable Western freestone streams. You've already talked to the Fly Shop and have current conditions. You prefer the solitude of figuring it out yourself.

Gear Recommendations by Season

Summer (Jun–Aug): 5-weight rod, 9-foot. Floating line. 9-foot 5X leader for dries, 4X for nymphs. Wading boots with felt or studded soles. Wading staff for the Tongue River canyon. Bring more water than you think.

Fall (Sep–Oct): Same rod setup. Add streamers on a sink-tip for browns pre-spawn. Layer up — mornings in the canyon are cold by late September. The fish are aggressive. The crowds are gone.

Winter (Nov–Mar): Bighorn River only for most anglers. 6-weight rod for wind. Nymph rigs under indicators. Insulated waders. Hand warmers. The fishing can be exceptional, but the conditions demand commitment.