grave lake wind river range

The river's biggest browns are often taken on large (#2-6) Muddlers, sculpin imitations, Zonkers, and Woolly Buggers. In Wyoming's Wind River Range, peaks thrust 13,000 feet into the sky, and large trout fin placidly in remote lakes so clear they appear to be covered in nothing but cellophane. Depending on where you decide to camp, there may or may not be trees large enough to create bear hangs, so bear canisters may be the most sensible option. Interested in Wind River Range backpacking but not going the distance in the Titcomb Basin? While the map might not indicate more than 1,000 feet in elevation gain over the first 10.5 miles, the strenuousness of the hike shouldn’t be underestimated. Until the early 1990s, lakes that could not support self-sustaining populations were stocked with goldens spawned at Wyoming's Surprise Lake. Plus, the camping at Seneca Lake is some of the best camping in the Wind River Range, not to mention its world-class alpine fly fishing, too. The trail begins at the Big Sandy Campground and offers a wide, well-marked walking path up to the lake. The Popo Agie fishes best during spring (prior to runoff) and during late June and July as runoff subsides. Yellow Sallies, Gray Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, Tricos, and terrestrials such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and cicadas begin in July and extend through September. Among the best ways to explore the Wind River Range is to travel one of the spectacular trails through the region. Mount Hooker, Pilot Knob and Grave Lake Popo Agie Wilderness - Wind River Range, Wyoming Several lakes in the Winds still produce goldens that exceed the magical 5-pound mark. Mount Hooker (12,509 feet (3,813 m)) is located in the Wind River Range in the U.S. state of Wyoming. From Grave Lake, we were immersed once again in a pine tree forest and we began to wind quickly downhill on the Bear’s Ears Trail. Mileage: 17 miles RT -M = Missing data. The Sweetwater is best fished on foot, although enterprising anglers occasionally float the stream. Here's How, Make Your Next Vacation a Camping Adventure with Coastal Camping on Honolulu, How to Find Free Camping with USFS & BLM Map Layers, These Nomads Travel with a Pet Goat in their Hand-painted Airstream, 13 #Campdate Ideas for this Valentine’s Day, Camping & COVID-19: What Campgrounds Are Open? My personal experience indicates that goldens love beetles. An angler's first challenge with this stream is pronouncing its name correctly. They rise eagerly for Pale Morning Duns, Baetis, terrestrials, and especially caddis. These lakes see more pressure than the lakes on the east side, due to major trailheads leading in from the Green River Lakes, Big Sandy, and Elkhart Park areas. Day 3: Wednesday 8/16/18. Myron and Dorcas chose to rest and fish in Valentine Lake. There wasn't another soul within miles, and the fish fed on beetles and mayfly nymphs without caution. baptiste lake wind river range / Date 27 Jan 2021 Wind River Mountains 10-Lakes Tour: Meeks, Dads, Marms, Shadow, Billy, Barren, Texas, Skull, May and Pyramid. The world record golden trout was caught in Wyoming's Cook Lake in 1948. Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. Lander is the main town on the east side of the range, and Pinedale is the popular staging town on the west side of the range. Snow, including heavy lake effect snow will move into the Northeast. Nancy Pallister, in her book Beyond Trails in the Wind River Range, describes an off-trail route leading from Grave Lake up Grave Creek and up the south ridges of Roberts Mountain. For avid backcountry anglers, this route offers excellent opportunities for side trips to nearby lakes and alpine streams, where the trout are avid for summer fly hatches. By midsummer, the fish become picky and restrict their feeding to early and late in the day. Downstream, brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout take over, especially below the entrance of Jakey's Fork, a tributary that's worth exploring. That said, it’s also extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and to follow bear bag or canister protocols at all backcountry camping destinations. The Dyrt PRO lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. Bring your stealth, patience, precise dry-fly imitations, and 6X tippet for trout ranging from 16 to 20 inches or more. Four to five-day loop from BST passing over Hailey and Washakie Passes. Mid- to late summer presents the most demanding fishing; spring and fall offer the best, but the weather can be dicey. When fishing subsurface patterns, I use sinking lines. Dad’s Lake also has the benefit of being at a slightly lower elevation than some of the classic Wind River Range backpacking trails, so seasonality can be a bit easier to handle. You often encounter dozens of rise rings as you round a bend and drift through one of the New Fork's long flatwater stretches. Most reservation trailheads lie only 8 to 10 miles from productive golden trout lakes. Be sure to check area regulations prior to setting out, as campfires and campsites are restricted throughout the basin to help protect the wilderness area. The face of the wall is a sheer 1,800 ft granite face - it's one of the tallest and steepest vertical cliffs in Wyoming, and also 16 miles from the nearest road. Highlights include steep glacier cut valleys, glacial-fed alpine… Wind River Range This blog is a diary of trips through Wyoming's wilderness. Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead You must have a tribal fishing permit to fish these waters. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. Tyler Wildeck is a writer with a passion for all things outdoors. The upper Wind has trout in the 10- to 16-inch range in a beautifully mixed landscape of rolling sagebrush hills, timbered uplands, painted red rock walls, arid badlands, and a lush, cottonwood-laced river corridor. Generally speaking, backpacking here is best done in the late summer or early fall, when temperatures are warmer and the better portion of the snow has melted from the high altitude terrain. When fishing the New Fork you cast from the boat and you don't stop. This route then follows the expansive summit plateau of Roberts Mountain north, and eventually drops down the west slopes to Wykee Lake in the North Fork basin (about 2.5 miles north of Moraine Lake). Just East of Grave Lake, we headed south along South Fork Little Wind River towards Washake Pass. Then, in the late 1980s, major forest fires burned the Surprise Lake area. We enjoyed a pleasant walk along the South Fork of the Little Wind River. Grave Lake to Billy’s Lake. Mileage: 12 miles RT Aquatic and terrestrial insect hatches are important when fishing high mountain lakes, so carry imitations of caddisflies, mayflies, midges, ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. Chip's Monster Magic. It's a region full of varied trout opportunities, from high mountain lakes to productive streams such as the Green, New Fork, Sweetwater, Popo Agie, and Wind rivers, which drain the flanks of some of America's most spectacular peaks. Goldens often sulk in the depths, avoiding bright light. Trip Type: Out-and-back Excellent searching patterns include soft-hackled Woolly Worms (tied with a red or orange tag), Woolly Buggers, Crystal Buggers, Mohair Leeches, and Muddler Minnows in sizes 6 to 10. The Cirque of the Towers and The Wind River Range Wyoming August 2008. There was a demoralizing climb up a portion of Grave Lake Dome to get to the North-Eastern part of the lake where we would camp. Landon Mayer | Illustrations by Joe Mahler - August 11, 2020. Designed in Saskatchewan's pike paradise - works anywhere. During spring, goldens smack streamers, small nymphs, and egg imitations. The Wind's upper 30 miles — above the Wind River Indian Reservation — can be fished with a general Wyoming fishing license. Less pressured than comparable waters in Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and Utah, the trout streams in Wyoming's Wind River country offer what most of us desire these days—a little piece of fly-fishing heaven minus the angling hordes. 4 Stunning Routes for Backpacking Through Wyoming’s Wind River Range, RV Camping Tips and Tricks for First-Timers, 9 Small Campers You Can Pull with Almost Any Car, 7 Campgrounds in Florida That Campers Can't Get Enough Of, 9 Perfect RV Parks in South Florida for Snowbirds, 12 Cars That Can Handle Dirt Roads and Camping, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Always Have in the Backcountry, Yes, You Can Find Free Camping in National Forests! Average trout range between 10 and 16 inches, but some fish, especially browns, occasionally exceed the 20-inch mark. Typically, fly fishers divide the range into two sections, west and east. Many unpaved vehicle tracks penetrate a little way into the foothills of the Wind River Range in west Wyoming, but most end ten miles or more from the scenic high country above the timberline. Popo Agie Wilderness - Wind River Range, Wyoming. During late April, May, and June it blows out. All Rights Reserved. This stream drains the Wind River Range south of South Pass and the town of Lander, offering brown and rainbow trout in surprising numbers and sizes. Camping along this trek can be found at Shadow Lake, and then in and around the Jackass Pass area later in the trip. Dwayne 'Chip' Cromarty - January 15, 2016. The north and east slopes of Mount Hooker present some of the tallest and steepest vertical cliffs in Wyoming and the peak is also remote, being more than 20 mi (32 km) … All in all, it’s a highly accessible backpacker’s dream. During the fall, browns run upstream from distant Boysen Reservoir and the Wind River. Overall, pack more water than you think you’ll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. Here the trail traverses the north and then eastern shores to the foot of the lake at 17.2 miles. The Wind River Range is home to thousands of lakes and ponds, with an appealing mix of golden, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Upstream of the reservation, access to this freestone river is generous, with several state-run fishing access sites and the adjacent Shoshone National Forest. Location/temp range/specific trip description: Wind River Range. I saw one fish that must have weighed more than 5 pounds but it boogied to deep water before I could throw a cast. Due to many fire-related problems, goldens could no longer spawn successfully at the inlet and outlet areas of Surprise, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) lost its source of golden trout. Heavy snow due to a stalled front is expected to persist across the northern Rockies for several days. Trip Type: Loop R = Rough less than 10 years of data available. There are numerous outfitters based in Pinedale, Dubois, and Lander. Remotely located in the Wind River Mountains, the ranch lies at the edge of the Popo Agie Wilderness area of the Shoshone National Forest, the world's first National Forest! After all, the Wind River Range boasts some of the best backcountry fishing in the country. The Wind River Range forms 110 miles of the Continental Divide in central Wyoming. The uplands surrounding Grave Lake remain mostly forested but heavily developed with residential homes. The Rollover Scud is so realistic even plankton-feeding goldens sometimes instinctively snap at it. When you get right down to it, Wind River country offers an amazing variety of fishing options for adventurous anglers. Hobie's MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system offers ultimate kayak control with more... All these tricks can be put to use on poppers or sliders for anything with fins, from panfish to billfish. It has excellent small-stream fishing for brookies, rainbows, cutthroat, and brown trout. The upper Green has ample public access, including a couple of all-day drift options. * = Analysis may not provide a valid measure of conditions. Mileage: 29-30 miles RT Single Blog Title This is a single blog caption. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Many lakes still hold descendants from his efforts. His favorite place he's ever visited is Alaska, and his favorite activity might be fishing or reading, depending on the day. How to Mend, Set the Hook, and Strip Line, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, Hobie 360 Drive Kayak Propulsion Technology: Power and Control in Any Direction, Fly Fishing New Jersey's Island Beach State Park, Iliamna's Hidden Treasures: Big Dreams in Alaska's Small Streams, Gunnison Gorge: Colorado's Finest Wilderness Float, Hobie MirageDrive 360 Kayak Propulsion: Amazing Control and Power. The best fishing is during spring, prior to runoff, and again after runoff, in late June or early July. During my most recent foray to the Winds, I spent 14 days carrying a pack, checking out reports of lakes containing giant trout, searching for the new world record golden. Wind River Trip Advice: Grave lake or Washakie Pass? It’s got more than 40 named granite peaks that soar 13,000 feet or higher, scores of giant glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of incredible hiking trails. It’s the ideal pack for a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range. Christy and I left at 10 that morning, and assured Myron and Dorcas that we would be back by 5, and definitely no later than 6. Wyoming’s Section 13 of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a dream walk through the Wind River Range. Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. “My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service”. Access over the reservation brings anglers close to prime golden trout lakes located in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness area, which has some of the largest goldens in the region. The Wind River area is the place to go for trophy golden trout, but it wasn't always that way. Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. Wind River Trip Advice: Grave lake or Washakie Pass? Though its neighbor, Colorado, takes up most of the outdoor attention in the central western United States, the Wind River Range offers a fair share of notable outdoor attractions in its own right. In the 1920s and 1930s, he used horses to pack milk crates filled with California goldens into the Wind River Range. The majority of the Wind River Range’s hikes and primary backpacking trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or above, making them difficult and potentially dangerous for unprepared visitors. The reservation wraps around a good portion of the central and eastern Winds, and to fish within it requires a tribal license. The Wind River Range contains three wilderness areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service: Bridger, (307) 367-4326; Fitzpatrick, (307) 455-2466; and the Popo Agie, (307) 332-5460. The Big Sandy Trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. One of the exceptions, and therefore amongst the most popular approaches, leads to a campground and parking area at the start of the Big Sandy Trail, which for five miles leads up a … During my trips to the Winds I've landed 4-pound Yellowstone cutts in excess of 20 inches. The Snow Water Equivalent PERCENT OF Median represents the current snow water equivalent found at selected SNOTEL sites in or near the basin compared to the Median value Runoff subsides by late June or early July, just as the productive summer hatches begin. Comparable fishing … The record was a fruitless pursuit, but I did catch and release beautiful goldens up to 14 inches long, with blood-red splashes on their flanks and bellies. Before floating the New Fork, check with local shops regarding any river obstructions or other pertinent information. Fifteen miles downstream from Boulder Bridge is the Gas Wells public access site off County Road 23-106. (I was snowed out of the Winds in mid-September one year.). Comparable fishing opportunities are available on the reservation, but farther downstream the river becomes increasingly prone to low water due to irrigation demands. Subscriber Services. The New Fork is a true freestone stream and it acts accordingly. Close. He was well rewarded with several cutthroat trout. Through July, August, and September, be prepared to match Gray Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, various caddisfly species, Yellow Sallies, terrestrials, and Tricos. |   [February 2021], Enjoy Year Round Camping at these 7 Spots For Coastal Camping near Mobile, AL, Discover Lake Eerie at these 7 Toledo, OH Campgrounds, Tour the Great Lake State’s Capitol with Camping near Lansing, Michigan. 2. The WGFD and the U.S. Forest Service's Shoshone District office offer lists of lakes with goldens, leaving it up to you to put in only the sweat required to reach those lakes. During late April, May, and June the Green River may be blown out. I am planning a 4 day 3 night trip in the wind river range in about two weeks and I wanted to see what peoples thoughts were. One of the lesser-known prime trout waters in the West, the New Fork flows off the west side of the Wind River Range north of Pinedale and twists south through arid sagebrush desert toward its eventual confluence with the Green. C = Conditional only 10-19 years of data available. PMDs, Tricos, Yellow Sallies, and larger stoneflies show during July. Duck Creek. These fish can top 5 pounds and are fond of streamers, Glo-Bugs, and Egg-sucking Leeches. Enjoying your Wind River Range backpacking trip with these principles in mind will help maintain the Wind River Range for other visitors and hopeful backpackers for millennia to come. There are several productive floats on the New Fork. However, some lakes that traditionally had goldens no longer do. Popo Agie River. Use caution when going off trail to look for campsites, and, above all, leave nothing behind throughout your journey. Naturally reproducing golden trout populations are left to carry the weight of the Wind River fishery. Backpackers should also check snowpack levels in order to determine the best time to hit the trail without encountering too much snow. There is a small lake … Frequently, they charge your flies, and then change their minds at the last instant. New Fork River. Brown trout are abundant in this meadow stream, but they are not easy to fool. It was the kind of fishing we all dream about: large and hungry trout in a beautiful high mountain lake setting. Trip Type: Out-and-back July and August provide mostly favorable days, and the highest angling pressure. A view back up Grave Lake from near the outlet From the outlet we descended through the forest and within two miles arrived at the South Fork Little Wind River. Monday, August 07, 2006. The Wind River Range is a mountain range located southeast of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, running NW-SE. We found a sandy beach at Grave Lake and swam. N/A = Not available. For a map of access sites, see mountainman country.com/activities/summer-recre ation/RiverAccess.pdf. The Gunnison starts near the town of Almont, Colorado where the East and the Taylor rivers... Give a Gift   Wind River. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. A final option is to drift from the BLM campground downstream to Olson Bridge, 3 miles upstream from the New Fork's confluence with the Green. From Farson, WY, head east on Hwy 28 4.3 mi, then turn north on Sweetwater CR 108 for 32.7 mi, then turn west on CR 132 (Lander … You don't always catch large trout in these alpine lakes and streams, but even the small ones... George Daniels offers his advice on which types of fly-fishing leaders are best for the most... IBSP is a 10-mile-long barrier with unlimited access to deep white sand beaches. One appealing option is to take a guided horseback trip into the Winds. Elevation gain: 683 feet. LaFontaine's Emergent Sparkle Pupa, Elk-hair Caddis, and Prince Nymphs (#12-16) draw strikes in late June and throughout July. For geographic purposes, the Green River's journey through Wind River country begins at Green River Lakes at the base of Square Top Mountain and flows first northwest, then straight south for 60 miles. In addition to goldens, I caught modest brook trout from numerous lakes and ate a few along the way. These dense, indestructible nymphs will improve your subsurface game. When pursuing goldens, you must practice patience. I looked to the sky and thanked the pilot who delivered those fish. California has banned the export of goldens, and the fish haven't been stocked in the Winds since the early 1990s. Depending on your experience and relative skill level, the Cirque of the Towers is another staple when it comes to Wind River Range backpacking. All along the river, brown and rainbow trout range between 14 and 18 inches. The best time to visit the Titcomb Basin area is in the late summer, beginning in July and ending in late September. Mt. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park Some of the largest browns of the year are taken in autumn. Two possible trip dates. Hooker (12, 509ft) is located in the Southern end of the Wind River Range in Wyoming, and is home to a popular climbing route. Grave Lake is at least 2 days hiking to the nearest road. The Nature Conservancy holds title to 6 miles of the Sweetwater winding through the Red Desert. Great news: Dad’s Lake is a dog-friendly trail, just be sure to bring a leash along. Green River. Unfortunately, the New Fork flows almost entirely through private lands, and the only way to gain access to the stream is by floating it in a canoe, drift boat, or raft. Gain permission to fish the stream through the Nature Conservancy office in Lander, at (307) 332-2971. If you’re planning a Wind River Range backpacking trip at altitude, consider how hard you’re trying to push yourself, and make sure you know how to tell if you’re dehydrated or suffering from mild altitude sickness. An additional drift takes anglers from the Gas Wells downstream 5 miles to a BLM campground, where boat access is available. Location: Bridger Wilderness in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, west slope of the Wind River Range, Wyoming Access: Big Sandy TH. While specific match-the-hatch situations do occur, you most often search for goldens with attractor patterns. I carry a fast-sinking line, an intermediate line, and a slow-sinking "stealth" line. Reflections on the Big Sandy River near dusk Fish caught along the way. The Trico spinner fall is particularly productive on the New Fork on calm August and September mornings. Posted by 2 days ago. Still, many Wind River lakes offer excellent fly-fishing opportunities for goldens, if (and this is key) you can pry their names from a respectable source, perhaps a biologist, tackle shop owner, commercial outfitter, or another trout addict. Fly fishers land large browns each season, but more are lost to the abundant brushpiles, logjams, and undercut banks. Shakedown. This spring creek tributary of the New Fork is located just west of Pinedale off U.S. 191. While the Wind River Range receives barely half the traffic that its more popular counterparts do (think the Sierra Nevadas or the Rockies), the Cirque of the Towers loop remains one of the most popular trails in the region, both for short backpacking trips and dedicated climbers who set up base camps below the towering Cirque spires. Alaska's best trout fishing is in roadless wilderness areas. Caddis and stoneflies are available prior to runoff. Titcomb Basin – Wind River Range, WY (40 mile route) One of many great views in the Titcomb Basin in the Wind River Range. Although the Wind River Range is not quite as tall on average as the Rockies, altitude is still a major consideration for backpackers and hikers alike, particularly at elevations above 9,000 feet. This small stream, which flows out of the Wind River Range, through the town of Lander, and across the desert before joining the Wind River, has two productive forks and has rainbow and brown trout to several pounds. Fly Fisherman Staff | Illustrations by Joe Mahler. And, for now anyways, they’re all permit-free. The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. Terrestrial imitations catch fish in August, September, and October. From one off-trail lake, reported to be barren, I landed dozens of buttery cutthroat spanning between 16 and 23 inches. Mt. Grave Lake Beach Grave Lake Beach ... Tough situation. In contrast, California goldens typically measure between 6 and 14 inches in their native Sierra Nevada range. Beyond the lake the path crosses a ridge separating the Grave and South Fork Little Wind River valleys and then drops to a trail junction on the western shore … These trips offer easy access to remote lakes containing large fish. The excellent stream fishing, combined with exotic golden trout in the high lakes, makes the Wind River Range a sought-after destination for adventurous anglers. Fall-run brown trout, which move upstream from Fontenelle Reservoir and the Green River, enter the New Fork in September and October. The Winds also have lake trout, rainbows, cutthroat, and cuttbows up to 5 pounds. The Wind's upper 30 miles—above the Wind River Indian Reservation—can be fished with a general Wyoming fishing license. The week of August 18-24, 2008 Lise Buyer, Scott Cook, Rich Cotter, Patty Kert Dailey, Lynda Daniels, Bill Edwards, Jay Helms, John Selling and Ann Waters back packed in Wyoming's southern Wind River Range between Pinedale and Lander, Wyoming, about 100 miles southeast of Grand Teton National … There are scuds in many of the Wind River's golden lakes, and some of the best all-around patterns include the Rollover Scud and the Fast-sinking Scud (#14-18), which are particularly effective when you're throwing at visible fish. The campground is a nice place to overnight. Wyoming's record golden trout, which is also the current world record (an 11-pounder measuring 28 inches), was caught at Cook Lake in 1948.

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