Dubois, Wyoming: Field Notes From a Patagonia Guide
Dubois sits in the upper Wind River Valley of northwest Wyoming, between the Absaroka Range and the Wind River Range, roughly two hours from Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. Its water ranges from red-rock badlands freestone stretches to hike-in alpine lakes holding native cutthroat trout — remote, lightly-fished water that mirrors exactly what we look for in Patagonia.
Read the Field NotesWhere Dubois Sits in Wyoming's Trout Country
Dubois is a small gateway town in Fremont County, built along the upper Wind River between two mountain ranges: the volcanic Absarokas to the north and the granite spine of the Wind River Range to the south. Despite sitting on the Togwotee Pass route between Jackson Hole and the rest of Wyoming, it stays well outside the Yellowstone/Teton traffic corridor — which is exactly why the water around it holds up.
The Backcountry Lake Fishery
North and west of town, the DuNoir area and the high country toward Union Pass hold alpine lakes that only open up on foot or on horseback. The reward is native cutthroat trout that rarely see a fly — the same trade-off in effort for isolation that defines the guiding zones we work around Coyhaique.
Wind River & Badlands Water
Closer to town, the Wind River cuts through red-rock badlands terrain — undercut banks, broken pocket water, and enough structure to hold fish through the heat of summer. It's technical wade fishing: short, accurate casts to tight cover rather than long, open-water drifts.
| Zone | Water Type | Species |
|---|---|---|
| DuNoir & high alpine lakes | Hike-in / horseback still water | Yellowstone cutthroat trout |
| Upper Wind River | Freestone river, badlands canyon | Cutthroat & rainbow trout |
| Union Pass high country | Headwater creeks | Native cutthroat trout |
Why We Fish It Ourselves
Chile Fly Fishing doesn't guide in Wyoming — we guide exclusively out of Coyhaique. Our guides spend time on water like the Wind River's backcountry lakes because the logic is identical to Patagonia: skip the pressured, roadside water and put in the extra hour of hiking or driving for fish that haven't seen a boat all season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubois, Wyoming good for fly fishing?
Yes. The upper Wind River and its high-elevation tributaries hold healthy populations of cutthroat and rainbow trout, and the town sees a fraction of the angling pressure of nearby Jackson Hole or Yellowstone.
What kind of trout are in the Wind River near Dubois?
Yellowstone cutthroat trout dominate the upper river and the high-alpine lakes, with rainbow trout and some hybrids showing up in the lower valley stretches.
How far is Dubois from Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Dubois sits roughly 80 miles from Jackson and the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park, and about two and a half hours from Yellowstone's east entrance via Togwotee Pass.
Unforgettable Fly Fishing Moments in Coyhaique, Patagonia
A glimpse into the isolation, the crystalline waters, and the wild trout that define our private beats. Real moments, captured on the drift.
Patagonia Fly Fishing Reviews: Stories from the River.
What fellow anglers say about our unpressured waters and the absolute wilderness experience.
“Matias & Sebastian connected with Douglas Outdoors when they started Chile Fly Fishing back in 2019/2020. They are now great friends who just happen to run a professional fishing operation in beautiful Patagonia. Everything is taken care of and first class once you arrive in Chile. Matias and Sebastian are great hosts and would love to show you some of their favorite spots. When it's time to book your bucket list trip to Patagonia contact the Team at Chile Fly Fishing and make your trip legendary.”