Updated October 15, 2026
    Access point

    Big Sandy Opening Trailheadon Big Sandy River

    Provides access to the upper river and wilderness area, ideal for adventurous anglers seeking solitude.
    Big Sandy River reportDirections42.7500°N, 109.3800°W
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    What's working on Big Sandy River

    1. 01Crisp fall weather with clear skies and mild temperatures on the Big Sandy River.
    2. 02Active Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches and consistent midge activity are present.
    3. 03Brown trout are staging for spawning, making egg patterns a crucial fly choice.
    4. 04Focus on slower runs, seams, eddies, deeper pools, riffle tails, and gravelly stretches for feeding fish.
    5. 05Utilize a versatile dry-dropper rig to cover both surface and subsurface feeding, being mindful of spawning trout.

    What to tie on at Big Sandy Opening Trailhead

    Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

    nymph80%

    Pheasant Tail Nymph

    #14#16#18#20

    An essential and versatile searching nymph, especially effective for imitating various mayfly nymphs that are active year-round.

    Buy at Amazon
    streamer80%

    Woolly Bugger (Olive)

    #4#6#8

    A versatile and reliable streamer for eliciting aggressive strikes from larger predatory trout and grayling in fall conditions.

    nymph80%

    Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph

    #14#16#18

    An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and scuds active in the currents year-round.

    streamer80%

    Black Woolly Bugger

    #4#6#8

    A versatile streamer, effective year-round for predatory fish, especially as they become more active in warming spring waters, imitating leeches and baitfish. Excellent for high, off-color runoff conditions.

    nymph80%

    Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs

    #4#6#8#10

    A heavy stonefly nymph serves as an excellent lead fly to reach deep holes where fish are holding in high flows before stonefly hatches.

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    nymph80%

    Prince Nymph

    #10#12#14#16

    A proven year-round attractor nymph that is effective in all water types, including the higher spring flows of the Big Sandy River.

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    nymph80%

    San Juan Worm

    #10#12#14

    Year-round, especially after rainfall or runoff, aquatic worms are easily washed into the system, making this an effective pattern.

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    nymph80%

    Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph

    #14#16#18

    An excellent general searching nymph for early spring, mimicking various mayfly nymphs that are active year-round and particularly as BWOs begin to emerge. Good for off-color or deeper water.

    dry80%

    Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun

    #18#20#22

    Active Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are occurring, making this pattern effective for surface feeders.

    Wyoming season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Fly shops nearby

    Local flies, current advice and guided trips.

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