Meet The Wandering Angler: Jackson Hole’s Family Fishing Experts
Planning a family fishing trip in Jackson Hole? At The Wandering Angler, we specialize in fun, scenic, and beginner-friendly fly fishing adventures on the rivers around Jackson. Our large drift boats are perfect for families or groups looking to experience the outdoors together — and yes, even first-time anglers are welcome!
The Wandering Angler was one of the first outfitters in Jackson Hole to offer group and family fly fishing trips in our 18-foot drift boats, also known as the “big boats”. These boats comfortably hold up to 5 guests plus a guide. Two guests fish at a time, and we rotate throughout the trip. Don’t want to share rod time? We can split into multiple boats while staying near each other on the river. We offer fly fishing and traditional fishing options for all ages and skill levels.
Here’s what a typical day looks like on the water with us:
Preparing for Your Family Fishing Trip
Your guide will text you the evening before the trip to check in and see if you have any last-minute questions.
What To Bring:
- Guests 14 and older will need a fishing license, which can be purchased online or at a local shop in Jackson. It is best to get these in advance, as it can take quite some time on the morning of the trip.
- Bring sunglasses and hats for everyone — they protect from sun glare and stray hooks.
- Dress for the weather — layers work best. We have dry storage for your gear.
- We provide snacks and drinks in an ice-cold cooler. You’re welcome to bring lunch and store it with us.
Meeting Your Guide
We offer a variety of meeting or pick-up locations and start times. We strive to make it easy for guests to enjoy their vacation and make the most of their days.
Head To The River - What To Expect During The Trip
Once you have met your guide, they will transport you to the boat ramp. From here, the guide will prepare the boat and put it in the water. Boat ramps are very busy places, so be sure to listen to the guide about the best place to hang out until the trip is ready to depart. There are restrooms at the boat ramp, which guests are encouraged to use. Your guide will fit you for a Personal Float Device and give a safety briefing. Now it is time to get on the water!
Our guides want to make the most of the time we have on the water, so guides are very adaptable to each guest’s skill level. If your group consists of beginners, we’ll start with a casting lesson to learn to basics of fly fishing. If you are a seasoned angler, we’ll get right into it. Once the group feels confident in their lesson, we continue the float and start casting. After all, the more your fly is on the water, the more chances you have!
There are no formal restrooms on the float, so Mother Nature (trees and bushes) is your only option (this is the wild west!). Generally, we do not stop much on half-day trips (4 hours on the water), whereas on full-day trips (6 hours on the water), there is more time to get out of the boat and take a lunch break. We will get plenty of pictures of the fish and let them all go. Your guide will handle the fish for you to make sure they are handled carefully and not harmed in the process.
Wrapping Up Your Fishing Trip
At the end of the trip, your guide will instruct you where the restrooms are while they get the boat out of the river. From there, they will transport you back to the original meeting location and you will have completed a successful day on the water.
That is a typical day on the water filled with plenty of fish, sun, and fun! If you have more questions about trips with the Wandering Angler, please feel free to reach out at 307-699-3986 or info@wanderingangler.com. We look forward to seeing you on the water!
