Small Streams, August 2nd, 2023

Grey’s River at Murphy Creek Bridge

Most of our small streams are currently in great fishing shape. One of these, being special in our area, is in prime condition right now. That stream is Grey’s River. It dumps into the Snake River just above the US highway 26-89 bridge on approaching Alpine, Wyoming from the west. One thing that places it above all other western Wyoming rivers with respect to access is that it flows mostly through public land

( Bridger-Teton National Forest). Its neighbors, Hoback and Salt Rivers are much paralleled by major highways and mostly locked up on banks and stream beds through Wyoming’s private property laws. Other than the Box Y Hunting Lodge-Renegade Ranch property, the Grey’s is about totally approachable. Another great situation on the Grey’s is that above the Murphy Creek Bridge, no bait fishing is allowed and boating is pretty much limited. So fishing visits diminish rapidly there. Below the bridge recreational boating, kayaks in particular, abound and empty bait cans and strips of discarded spinning line are common. The forest road following the river, “washboardy” in places, is well enough maintained that the State of Utah is well represented. Natural beauty of the surrounding countryside makes bringing a camera almost a must. Summertime thundershowers are abundant and can cloud portions of its flows. Wyoming fishing licenses can be purchased in Alpine.

Being mostly an upland river of abundant riffle and run character, the Grey’s hosts mainly caddis and stone fly populations. PMDs and a few other mayfly species occupy quieter waters, but now terrestrial insect are major food items for resident Snake River fine spotted cutthroat trout, the only trout present excepting some brown trout in lower sections. Five and six weight tackle and moderately sized tippets (3X-4X) are appropriate for playing hooked trout which range up to trophy size. Put the Grey’s River on your “must visit” list. When you visit, you will not be disappointed.