Shoshone River
river in Wyoming
The Shoshone tailrace downstream of Buffalo Bill Reservoir offers reliable flows, structure, and curtailment that favor trout; the Cody area access points make it one of the most fished and productive trout rivers in northwestern Wyoming.
Fall weather with clear skies and mild temperatures
- 01Fall weather with clear skies and mild temperatures.
- 02Expect active Blue-Winged Olive and October Caddis hatches.
- 03Midges and egg patterns are increasingly important in cooler water.
- 04Target deeper, slower runs and tailouts for Whitefish.
- 05Employ slow, accurate presentations and consider weighted nymphs.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Soft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Caddis pupae and emergers remain active throughout the fall, and this wet fly pattern is effective when swung through the current, appealing to feeding Whitefish.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is prime egg season, and Whitefish are known to opportunistically feed on eggs drifting in the river.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, and this weighted nymph is highly effective for subsurface feeding Whitefish in cooler fall waters.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects that are active year-round and particularly effective in the fall as a subsurface offering for Whitefish.
Mohogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing good dry fly opportunities for Whitefish.
Prince Nymph
A versatile attractor nymph that imitates a variety of aquatic insects and remains effective year-round, including for Whitefish in the fall.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
Fall marks the largest caddis hatch of the year in many western rivers, providing a significant meal for opportunistic Whitefish.
Buy at AmazonPMD Comparadun (BWO)
PMD hatches are active in October, and Whitefish are opportunistic feeders. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective fish feeding on emergers and adults.
Where to fish and who to ask
Buffalo Bill State Park / Dam Tailrace
Primary tailwater access immediately below Buffalo Bill Dam with strong trout concentrations and frequent guided trips.
Cody River Access / Shoshone Float
Popular public parks and put-ins within Cody for wade and float fishing; reliable insect activity in summer.
Fly shops within 40 miles
North Fork Anglers
Wyoming Trout Guides Fly Shop
Get Shoshone River reports by email
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Wyoming season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Shoshone River.
What flies work best on Shoshone River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Shoshone River right now are Slumpbuster (90% confidence), Black Woolly Bugger (90% confidence), San Juan Worm (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Shoshone River?
Shoshone River holds Whitefish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Shoshone River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Shoshone River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Shoshone River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Shoshone River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.