Fly Fishing New Fork River - Big Piney

Fly fishing New Fork River at Big Piney offers a chance at trophy trout on a lesser-known tailwater-like fishery. The New Fork River, rising from Wyoming's Wind River Mountains, flows past Pinedale and Big Piney before joining the Green. Near Big Piney, the river transitions from a fast alpine stream to a slower, meandering prairie river. Irrigation flows and natural runoff make spring levels high and off-color (often 1,500 CFS or more), but by mid-summer, flows typically drop to 200–600 CFS, revealing a river of riffles, cutbanks, and woody structure – all prime trout habitat. Brown Trout are the primary target here, with many fish in the 16–20 inches class and true giants over 25 inches caught occasionally. Rainbow Trout are also present, often below irrigation diversions where they've been stocked historically or moved in from upstream. Access around Big Piney is mostly through private land, so many anglers float this section. A popular drift is from the East Fork confluence down to the town of Big Piney or further; however, there are a few public access easements and bridge rights-of-way where a wade angler can get in. Once on the water, be prepared for underutilized fishing – the New Fork doesn't see the crowds of the nearby Green River, yet its trout can be just as large and willing. Summertime means hopper-dropper heaven: with alfalfa fields lining parts of the stream, grasshoppers are abundant and become a staple for New Fork trout. Big Piney browns are known to crush hopper patterns with reckless abandon on windy afternoons. Dropper nymphs like a copper john or hare's ear can clean up any fish holding deeper that might refuse the dry. The river's tight oxbows and overhanging willow jungles offer perfect ambush cover for browns – this is a great river to throw streamers. In early summer, as runoff subsides but flows are still robust, drifting a sparkly streamer along a cutbank can elicit heart-stopping strikes from predatory browns. Fall on the New Fork is equally exciting: the cottonwoods turn yellow, and pre-spawn browns chase baitfish in the low, clear water. Anglers fishing in September–October often sight fish to cruisers or target aggressive bursts of chasing minnows indicating a big trout's presence. The New Fork near Big Piney is a freestone river with tailwater tendencies – relatively fertile waters, big fish, but without a dam directly controlling it, you still must watch flow conditions. When it's on, it's one of Wyoming's best-kept secrets for large trout. The surrounding landscape is subtle: rolling sagebrush and distant views of the Wind River and Wyoming Range. It's common to encounter deer or moose along the vegetated banks. For those willing to put in a bit of exploration, the New Fork at Big Piney can provide phenomenal fly fishing that rivals the more famous rivers, with a fraction of the angling pressure.