How I Became a Fly Fishing Guide on Wyoming’s North Laramie River

-By Dillan Spence – Owner, Mountain Country Outdoors

I’m Dillan Spence, a Wyoming native, lifelong outdoorsman, and founder of Mountain Country Outdoors. For over 20 years, I’ve hunted and fished the wild places of this state, but my love for fly fishing began long before guiding was ever on my radar.

Growing Up on the Water

My journey started with my late grandfather, Larry Spence — a true fly-fishing addict and one of the hardest-working salesmen you’d ever meet. He spent years traveling across Wyoming selling truck equipment, and no matter where he went, a fly rod and a vest full of flies rode shotgun.

When I was born in 2000, Grandpa finally had the fishing buddy he’d always wanted. Together, we fished everything from brookie streams in the Bighorns and Snowies to native cutthroat and 20-inch rainbows in the Wind Rivers. We trolled for walleye in local reservoirs, and he even got me out chasing dorado and tuna in the Sea of Cortez.

Grandpa wasn’t flashy with his fly fishing. He didn’t care much about technical presentations or perfect loops — he just knew how to catch fish, and that’s exactly what he taught me. I still fish with his vest and rods today, and I carry the lessons he left me: work hard, appreciate the outdoors, and always keep a spirit of adventure.

From Hunting Guide to Fishing Outfitter

I attended the University of Wyoming in 2018 and graduated in 2022 with a degree in Jazz Studies. While pursuing music, my love for the outdoors kept pulling me back to the mountains. I spent four years guiding mule deer, elk, and antelope hunters across the Wyoming and Nebraska backcountry. Those years taught me not just wilderness skills, but also the art of helping clients create lasting outdoor memories.

Eventually, that entrepreneurial spark my grandfather lit in me grew into something more. I wanted to create my own outfitting business — one that focused on sharing the backcountry fishing experiences that shaped my life. That vision became Mountain Country Outdoors, and my home waters became the North Laramie River.

Why the North Laramie River?

The North Laramie River is a hidden gem — remote, beautiful, and teeming with wild rainbow and brown trout. It’s not a river that just anyone can fish. Access is limited to four-wheelers under 53” wide and a short hike into the canyon. This natural filter keeps pressure low and the experience wild.

Picture this: a short four-wheeler ride into the backcountry leads to a trail overlooking a winding canyon, steep rock walls, and sparkling pools below. The river twists through sharp bends, creating deep holes and fast, rocky stretches where fish thrive. On a good morning, landing a dozen trout is absolutely within reach.

Guiding on this river allows me to connect people to something unforgettable — not just the fish, but the place, the quiet, and the raw beauty of Wyoming’s backcountry.

Let Me Show You My Favorite Wyoming Fly Fishing Area

If you’re looking for world-class fishing without the crowds, I’d love to share the North Laramie River with you. Whether you’re an experienced angler or new to fly fishing, I’ll guide you to water that will stick in your memory long after the trip is over.

Give me a shout — let’s chase some wild trout and create a story you’ll carry for a lifetime.