Is This Wyoming's Best Kept Fly-Fishing Secret?

Is the Green River below Fontenelle Dam the last major undiscovered trophy trout stream in America? Van Beacham thinks so — and after 40 years of quietly guiding this water, he would know. Our destination is the Green River below Fontenelle Dam, southwest Wyoming. Van Beacham is a fourth-generation fly fisherman, author of Fly Fisher's Guide to New Mexico, and owner of The Solitary Angler. He's been fishing and guiding this remote high desert tailwater since the 1980s. With an average fish biomass of 3.75 lbs and 18"+ rainbows and browns as the standard, this is one of the most overlooked trophy fisheries in the lower 48 — and Van explains exactly why it has stayed that way. In this episode Van covers everything you need to plan your trip: the best seasons, flies and rigs that work, how to handle the summer weed problem, logistics out of Green River and Rock Springs, and the deep Oregon Trail and mountain man history that runs right alongside the river. ________________________________________ ⏱️ CHAPTERS • 0:00 — Introduction & Why This River Is Still a Secret • 3:30 — Van Beacham's Background & The Solitary Angler • 8:00 — The River: Sections, Access & Current Flows • 14:00 — The Fish: Species, Size & What a Great Day Looks Like • 22:00 — Flies, Rigs & Van's Go-To Nymphing Setup • 30:00 — Summer Weed Management & Reading Conditions • 37:00 — Best Seasons & Trip Planning Logistics • 44:00 — The Solitary Angler Private Water Club • 51:00 — Oregon Trail, Jim Bridger's Fort & River History • 57:00 — Final Tips & How to Book with Van ________________________________________ 🔗 CONNECT WITH VAN BEACHAM The Solitary Angler — solitaryangler.com ________________________________________ 🎙️ ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? Subscribe so you never miss a destination → [Subscribe Button Above] Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more traveling anglers find the show. Got a destination you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments 👇 ________________________________________