Fly Fishing Greybull River

Fly fishing the Greybull River is a hidden gem experience in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, offering anglers a chance to pursue wild cutthroat trout in a pristine setting with minimal crowds. Rising in the high Absaroka Mountains, the Greybull flows east through rugged wilderness before winding into the small ranching town of Meeteetse. The result is a freestone river that combines backcountry adventure with classic small- to mid-sized trout water.

The upper Greybull above Meeteetse is a quintessential mountain freestone. Fast riffles, plunging pocket water, and boulder gardens dominate, creating ideal holding lies for native Yellowstone cutthroat. In its mid-reaches, the river softens into long riffle-run sequences with cut banks and gravel bars, offering excellent dry-fly opportunities during the summer months. Despite its modest size compared to the Shoshone or Clarks Fork, the Greybull is rich in character and feels truly wild.

The river’s most famous attribute is its strong population of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Anglers will also find rainbow and brook trout in places, but the cutthroats are the primary draw, with fish in the 10–15 inch range common and larger specimens possible in deeper runs. The Greybull has been a focal point for cutthroat restoration, making it an important fishery both biologically and recreationally.

Hatches are seasonally diverse for a river of its size. Early spring brings midges and blue-winged olives, followed by a strong golden stone and salmonfly emergence in late June and July. Summer continues with PMDs, caddis, and yellow sallies, while August is prime for terrestrials like grasshoppers and beetles. Fall fishing features BWO hatches and aggressive streamer action as fish feed heavily before winter. Because the river runs freestone, timing flows is essential to hit these windows.

Flows between 100 and 400 CFS provide the best wading conditions, with higher water in late spring making the river swift and off-color. By July, levels usually stabilize and the river becomes perfect for dry-fly fishing, with cutthroats rising eagerly to attractors. Access is available through U.S. Forest Service roads upstream, as well as public parcels and pull-outs near Meeteetse. The Greybull River Road (WY-290) parallels the lower reaches, giving anglers multiple entry points.

Fly fishing the Greybull River is a must for those who value solitude, native cutthroat trout, and authentic Wyoming scenery. With its blend of wilderness headwaters and accessible lower stretches, the Greybull provides a unique opportunity to fish one of the last strongholds of Yellowstone cutthroats in their native range.