Winter Fishing Report
Upper Green River Valley- Bridger Wilderness Area
by Guest article by Tim Singewald, Bridger Wilderness Outfitters
February 21, 2006
Right now our valley is under ice and snow. As you know, when fishing these head water areas the water flow is most critical.
Last season, we had more moisture than I remember in my 23 years of guiding up here. It seemed like we had at least a little rain every third day or so. Our stream flows held for longer than usual and maybe that’s why we had such a banner year of fishing.
One group of 7 we guided into the high country this last year was made up of very experienced fly fishermen ranging in age from 54 to 72- hailing from a prestigious southern California fly fishing club. By the fourth day of this seven-day-wilderness trip, two of the guys came up to me and said they had just had the best fishing day of their lives. One of these guys had to add, “and it had to be in Wyoming.” I asked what that meant, and he dropped his eyes and admitted he was born and raised in Montana. Well there you go, how could the week go down hill from there? We were into big Cutthroat, Rainbows, Brookies and Mackinaw, all species giving up some into the 20-inch range, many just breaking off right now with that trembling sensation of “how big could that one have been”. We had days producing up to 60 big fish. Arms were so sore we had complaints of pain tilting the beer before dinner.
This Wind River Mountain Range is such a spectacular area that it inspired the United States Forest Service policy. The Bridger-Teton National Forest is our country's very first national forest. One trip up here will tell you why. Within the 3-1/2-million-acre Bridger-Teton National Forest you find the 550,000-acre Bridger Wilderness Area. There are over 1,300 lakes and more than 800 miles of streams in the Bridger Wilderness Area alone. Five Wyoming state fish records, along with the "World Record" Golden come from this area.
This is also known as one of the most abundant wildlife areas on the continent. It's reported that we have 80 varieties of mammals, 219 species of birds, 9 varieties of reptiles (but no rattlesnakes) and 5 amphibians in the forest and surrounding area.
A trip into this country offers spectacular views and great fishing opportunities. A pack trip allows you to get up and into those special remote spots without getting all wore out doing it. You get the benefit of great food and a comfortable camp. We take you right to the best spots to fish and set you up with the right rig to catch the big fish.
Right now the snow levels are being reported as even better than last year. Most areas right now are reporting 118% of average. Tie up a few elk hair caddis, stimulators, Tungsten Zebra midge, WD 40’s, RS-2’s, and a few Red Johns. We’ll keep you posted on the snow levels. Maybe this year will be even better than last.
Tim Singewald, owner
Bridger Wilderness Outfitters
www.bwo.com
|
