August 22 – 28, 2021 (Sun – Sat)
Coordinator: Joe Gahlinger, joe@derbycityflyfishers.com, 502-472-3975
Location: Camp Buffalo Bill (50 miles west of Cody, WY) http://www.campbuffalobill.com/yellowstone-anglers-basecamp/
Trip Level: This is a Level 3 trip(see Trip Suitability for details.) This is primarily a wading trip. Wading and access to fishing locations range from easy to challenging. Participants should be proficient waders and self-reliant fly fishers. Individuals are responsible for determining the suitability of this trip with respect to their skill level and expectations. This is not a beginner trip!
Cost: Total $700. $200 non-refundable deposit due by Dec 15, 2020. Balance due early July 2021. Both will be collected by DCFF online via our signup button. Note: If you register and are not able to make the trip, we will do our best to find someone to take your place and reimburse you for your deposit – but there are no guarantees.
Slots are limited to 24 and will be filled on a first come first serve basis as tracked by our signup button. A waiting list will be available once the 24 slots are filled.
To register and pay your deposit (After Nov 1st) click here.
A second signup button will be provided next summer for registrants to pay the balance. You will be notified via email when this button is available.
Description: One week of fishing some of Wyoming’s finest trout waters near the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Base camp is located on the banks of the North Fork of the Shoshone River in the Shoshone National Forest — a blue ribbon, freestone trout fishery. Also have access to waters in Yellowstone and others in Northwest Wyoming. Cost includes six nights lodging, three meals/day, transportation to/from Cody Airport and daily transportation to/from fishing locations of your choice in the area.
The Area – Northwest Wyoming has some of the most scenic territory you will see anywhere. Populated by numerous wildlife species — bear (including Grizzlies), mule deer, elk, bison, coyote, fox, and more. Truly a beautiful part of our country.
Weather in August – Temps can range from 30’s to 90’s with averages ranging from mid-50’s to mid-80’s. It has snowed in late August; in fact, it snowed the week following the 2020 Group’s trip. It does rain, with thunderstorms and hail possible. Camp elevation is 6,400 feet above sea level and the air is dry. Staying well hydrated is essential to cope with both the elevation and arid air.
Base Camp – The camp is located on the Shoshone River where there are miles of fishing opportunities. Accommodations are rustic. Cabins consist of bunk beds with a couple of small tables. There is no cell service or wi-fi but there is a land line for emergency calls. Cabins have electricity but no heat or AC. Each cabin has windows that can be opened and a fan. You will be responsible for your own linens, towels, sleeping bag and pillow. Laundry facilities are available. There is a heated shower house with ample showers and facilities. The center of camp activity is the dining hall where all the gatherings and fellowship occur. This is a large building that is open 24 hours a day with complimentary snacks and drinks available. Three meals are provided daily. Incidentally, the cook is a retired caterer who has served meals to three presidents and catered events for as many as 15,000! Last year’s participants rave about the food.
The Staff – The staff is knowledgeable and accommodating. They will take you wherever you want to go on the river and return to pick you up. The camp has four vans, and the staff will transport you up or down stream to many fishing locations. If at least 5 folks want to go to Yellowstone (a 1-1/2-hour drive one way) or to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons (a long all-day trip), they will arrange for that also. For days you want to get out early, a continental breakfast will be waiting for you at departure. If you want to stay out longer, sandwiches are prepared to take with you.
The Fishing – The fishing is quite different from around our area. “Humbling” seems the most common descriptor. The water is gin clear, fast, and skinny. Wading and walking alongside the river is not easy, with rocks from pebbles to boulders ranging from basketball to refrigerator size. Expect to catch rainbow, brown, and cutthroat — many in the 15+ inch range. They are wild fish that are finicky and spooky. A 10-fish day is an exceptional day.
The Gear – Three to six weight rods, reels and lines work well. Nymphing is by far the most productive method, but flies need to be heavier than we would normally fish in our area. The water is quick and skinny, and drifts are short, so the flies need to get down fast and stay down. We’ll have more information on flies and techniques in the coming months.
The Adventure – This trip is about 50% fishing and 50% adventure. Getting to some of the fishing holes is an adventure in itself, with challenging terrain and critters aplenty. A favorite non-fishing adventure is a hike to a unique rock formation along a knife edge ridge about 650 ft above the camp. This is a challenging hike but universally agreed by those who did it to be one of the most enjoyable and memorable activities of the trip.
The staff can provide a trip to Cody one evening for dinner and a rodeo. Cody is an old town with a lot of history and interesting restaurants. Of course, there are trips to Yellowstone mixing sightseeing and fishing on the Yellowstone River.
Cost – The entire week costs $700. You are responsible for your own transportation to Cody. Flights range from about $400 to $650 depending on baggage charges and meals. A 5-day Wyoming non-resident license is $56, and an additional day is $14. If you go to Yellowstone, there is an additional license requirement but it’s nominal.
Clothing & footgear
- Bring clothes for cool to cold evenings and warm to hot days.
- Sandals, casual sports shoes, wading boots and shower shoes. Hiking boots if you plan to go hiking.
- Include warm sleeping clothes or have a cold weather sleeping bag.
- Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellent. Bear spray will be provided to one person in each team of two (buddy fishing is highly recommended because of threat of bears.) You might want to bring your own (Quest Outdoors carries it.)
- You’ll need waders. No felt soles in Yellowstone!!