The First Fish on a Fly Program is a Mentored program that teaches youth and adults the basic skills and techniques that fly anglers use to fish western trout rivers and lakes and then puts these skills to use on a mentored fishing experience in the Cody/Meeteetse region. This program seeks out applicants that have an interest in fly fishing but have little to no experience.
Youth are required to apply with either a parent or guardian who will accompany the youth throughout the program at all events. The parent or guardian are encouraged to apply to participate but are not required to. For parent/child applicant teams, an application will need to be completed for each individual.
Please note that the application form asks each applicant permission to have their photo taken while participating in the program and possibly use the photo(s) in various forms of media. This is important for the promotion of the program with its sponsors and others.
Applications are due by May 14, 2026. Click here for the application.
The program will run from June through September 2026 and consists of three parts:
- A Fly Tying Class that will teach the basics of creating your own fly to be held at the Bighorn Basin Fly Fishing Fair on May 9, 2026 at the WYG&F office in Cody.*
- A Casting Class that will teach the basics of fly casting to also be held at the Bighorn Basin Fly Fishing Fair.*
- A mentored Fly Fishing experience in the Cody/Meeteetse area.
*Participation in the program requires attending the Bighorn Basin Fly Fishing Fair being held on May 9th at the Cody Regional Office of Wyoming Game and Fish and completing at least the Casting Class. Applications for the program will be accepted at the Fair or until May 14th.
The only cost to the participants is that you will need to purchase a minimum of your one day Wyoming Fishing License and provide your own transportation to each of the events.
The First Fish on a Fly is a WY Hunt Fish Event and is a collaboration between Wyoming Outdoorsmen, East Yellowstone Chapter – Trout Unlimited, and The Big Horn Basin Chapter of the First Hunt Foundation.
For questions, please contact Fred Williams at 307-250-0527.