Big Sandy Opening Trailheadon Big Sandy River
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Big Sandy River
- 01Crisp fall weather with clear skies and mild temperatures on the Big Sandy River.
- 02Active Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches and consistent midge activity are present.
- 03Brown trout are staging for spawning, making egg patterns a crucial fly choice.
- 04Focus on slower runs, seams, eddies, deeper pools, riffle tails, and gravelly stretches for feeding fish.
- 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.
Woolly Bugger
A versatile and reliable streamer for eliciting aggressive strikes from larger predatory trout and grayling in fall conditions.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
A heavy stonefly nymph serves as an excellent lead fly to reach deep holes where fish are holding in high flows before stonefly hatches.
Buy at AmazonPrince Nymph
A proven year-round attractor nymph that is effective in all water types, including the higher spring flows of the Big Sandy River.
Buy at AmazonSan Juan Worm
Year-round, especially after rainfall or runoff, aquatic worms are easily washed into the system, making this an effective pattern.
Buy at AmazonPMD Sparkle Dun
PMD hatches are active on the Big Sandy, and this emerger pattern is crucial for targeting Grayling, Cutthroat, Brown, and Rainbow Trout feeding in the film.
Buy at AmazonStimulator
This large attractor dry fly effectively imitates golden stoneflies and larger terrestrials, drawing aggressive strikes from opportunistic Grayling, Cutthroat, Brown, and Rainbow Trout in the Big Sandy's faster water during summer.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger
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.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
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.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Active Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are occurring, making this pattern effective for surface feeders.
Buy at AmazonWyoming 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.