Trusted Wyoming Fly Fishing Guides
on the Bighorn River in Thermopolis, Wyoming --
Experience the Drift of a Lifetime.
What We Offer
Bighorn Drifters provides fully guided fly fishing experiences designed for anglers of all skill levels. We offer full and half-day drift boat trips on the Bighorn River, giving you access to some of Wyoming’s most productive trout water. Additionally, we guide on several other nearby rivers—call for details to explore more options.
All fishing gear, flies, and terminal tackle are included at no extra cost, so you can show up ready to fish. For full-day trips, we also provide fresh lunches to keep you fueled throughout the day.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed float, skill-building instruction, or the chance to chase memorable trout, Bighorn Drifters delivers a fun, professional, and personalized day on the water.
Information to start planning your Wyoming Fly Fishing Trip.
About the Bighorn River
Flowing through red rock canyons and Hot Springs County in Thermopolis, Wyoming, the Bighorn River is a reliable year-round trout fishery known for steady action, scenic water, and approachable conditions. Since it’s fed by regulated releases from Boysen Reservoir, the river benefits from stable flows and nutrient-rich water that support healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout.
As seasons change, so do the river’s highlights. Spring often brings productive baetis hatches, while winter offers consistent midge fishing. By summer, anglers can expect caddis, PMDs, tricos, and solid terrestrial action, though warmer water and vegetation may influence clarity and tactics. In fall, blue-wing olives and strong streamer fishing for larger browns take over. Throughout the year, success usually comes from reading the water, adjusting depth, and matching the hatch.
The Bighorn is especially friendly to newer anglers. Its long runs, soft seams, and predictable holding water make learning to mend, drift, and set the hook more intuitive. Trout commonly sit along shelves, soft edges, riffle transitions, and deeper slots—great places to practice nymphing, dry-fly presentations, or streamer work. With its mix of riffles, slick glides, deep buckets, and cut banks, the river supports a wide range of techniques.
Overall, the river offers a blend of forgiving water and technical moments, making it one of Wyoming’s most rewarding fisheries—and a memorable place to grow as an angler.
Why Book With Bighorn Drifter
People book with Bighorn Drifters because we offer more than a guided trip—we deliver a personalized and memorable day on one of Wyoming’s most reliable trout fisheries. As a local Thermopolis guide service, we know the Bighorn River’s seasonal patterns, holding water, and daily changes, which means you spend more time catching fish and less time guessing.
Additionally, we focus on teaching as much as guiding. Whether you’re new to fly fishing or looking to sharpen advanced skills, we tailor each trip to your goals. From reading water to presenting dries, nymphs, or streamers, you’ll leave the river more confident and prepared for future days on the water.
Furthermore, we prioritize a comfortable, relaxed, and safe experience. Because we keep trips simple and customized, anglers get focused attention and a fun, pressure-free day surrounded by the Bighorn’s scenery and wildlife.
In the end, Bighorn Drifters offers the ideal blend of local knowledge, quality instruction, and genuine hospitality—helping you catch great fish, learn new skills, and enjoy an unforgettable day on the river.
