Paint Rock Creek
Fly fishing in Wyoming · Intermediate · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
About This Water
Western Bighorn Mountains stream with rainbow and brown trout. Remote access.
Fishing Recommendations
Paint Rock Creek is one of the Bighorn Mountains' best-kept secrets. Flowing off the western slope of the range toward the town of Hyattville, Wyoming, this freestone gem offers some of the most visually stunning and productive trout fishing in the region.
Here is your professional guide to fishing Paint Rock Creek.
🎣 Location Overview
Paint Rock Creek is characterized by its dramatic transition from high-alpine meadows to a rugged, sheer-walled limestone canyon. What makes this water special is the seclusion and the scenery. The creek flows through "Paint Rock Canyon," where the red rock walls contrast sharply with the crystal-clear water and lush riparian greenery.
The water is a classic mountain freestone: fast-moving, highly oxygenated, and full of "pocket water." You won't find many long, slow glides here; instead, you’ll find a relentless series of plunges, pools, and riffles. It is a physical fishery that rewards mobile anglers who enjoy picking apart complex currents.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
While the creek holds Brookies in its highest reaches and some Cutthroat, the primary targets in the main fishing stretches are Rainbow and Brown Trout.
- Rainbow Trout: These are the "gymnasts" of Paint Rock. They thrive in the oxygenated whitewater and the "bubble line" at the head of pools. They are opportunistic feeders, often sitting right in the heavy current to grab nymphs or dries as they fly by.
- Brown Trout: The Browns tend to hold in the deeper, slower "guts" of the pools and tucked under the undercut banks or behind large boulders. In the fall, they become much more aggressive as they prepare for the spawn, often moving into shallower tail-outs to feed.
- Behavior: Because the growing season is short at this elevation, these fish are generally not overly selective. However, they are "shadow shy." Because the water is so clear, a poor cast or a looming silhouette will send them darting for cover.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Summer (July – August): This is the gold standard. Runoff typically subsides by late June or early July. Once the water clears and drops, the dry fly fishing is world-class.
- Fall (September – early October): My personal favorite. The cottonwoods turn gold, the crowds disappear, and the Brown Trout begin their pre-spawn aggression. The water is low and technical, requiring a stealthy approach.
Best Times of Day
- Summer: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You want the sun on the water to get the bugs moving. Evening caddis hatches can be prolific right at dusk.
- Fall: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The "banker's hours." Wait for the water to warm up a few degrees to activate the insects.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Chubby Chernobyl (Size 10-14): The ultimate attractor/indicator. Gold, Purple, or Tan.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-16): Tan or Olive.
- Parachute Adams (Size 14-18): For when they get picky in the slower tail-outs.
- Amy's Ant: Great for high-summer terrestrial action.
- Nymphs:
- Bead-head Pheasant Tail (Size 14-16): A staple.
- Copper John (Red or Blue, Size 14-16): High visibility in fast water.
- Pat’s Rubber Legs (Size 10-12): Perfect for the deeper canyon pools.
- Streamers:
- Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear or Wooly Bugger (Olive/Black): Strip these through the deep holes in the canyon.
Techniques & Presentation
- Hopper-Dropper: This is the most effective way to cover Paint Rock. Use a buoyant dry (like a Chubby) and hang a weighted nymph 2-3 feet below it.
- High-Sticking: In the pocket water, keep as much fly line off the water as possible. Reach over the "fast" water to fish the "soft" spots behind rocks.
- Short Leads: You rarely need to cast more than 20-30 feet. Accuracy and drift quality are far more important than distance here.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Canyon Hike: If you want the best fish, you have to work for them. Access the Paint Rock Canyon trail from the Medicine Lodge State Archeological Site area. The further you hike into the canyon, the less pressured the fish are and the larger they tend to be.
- Look for "The Seams": Paint Rock is fast. Fish don't want to burn calories fighting the main current. Look for the "seam" where fast water meets slow water—90% of your fish will be sitting on that line.
- Don't ignore the "Thin" Water: In mid-summer, trout will often sit in water so shallow you’d think their backs would be out. If there is a rock providing a break in the current, there is a fish behind it.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Much of the lower creek flows through private ranch land. Be extremely careful to stay within the high-water marks or use public access points within the Bighorn National Forest or Medicine Lodge State Park.
- Regulations: A valid Wyoming fishing license and Conservation Stamp are required. Always check the current Wyoming Game & Fish Department regulations for specific creel limits or seasonal closures.
- Wildlife & Safety: This is bear country. While Grizzly sightings are rarer on the western slope than the north, they are present. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Also, watch for rattlesnakes in the lower, drier elevations near Hyattville during the heat of summer.
- Wading: The rocks in Paint Rock Creek are notoriously slick and often unstable. Studded wading boots and a wading staff are highly recommended.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #20-22, Parachute Adams #18-22, BWO Sparkle Dun #18-20 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | July, August | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Split Case PMD #16-18 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | All Day | #8-12 | Pat's Rubber Leg #8-12, Chubby Chernobyl (Gold) #8-12, Golden Rogue Stone #10-12 |
| Yellow Sally Isoperla | stonefly | July, August | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Foam Dry #14-16, Iron Lotus (Yellow) #14-16 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August, September | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) #14-18, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Goddard Caddis #14-16 |
| Grasshoppers Orthoptera | terrestrial | August, September | Late Morning/Afternoon | #8-14 | Morrish Hopper #10-12, Parachute Hopper #12-14, Rainy's Grand Hopper #8-12 |
| Black Ants & Beetles Formicidae/Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #14-18 | Cinnamon Foam Ant #16-18, Black Foam Beetle #14-16 |
| Mother's Day Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | May | Afternoon | #14-16 | Peacock Caddis #14-16, Guide's Choice Hare's Ear #14-16 |