Who is the Wyoming Trout Wrangler?
From a Boy's First Catch to the Wyoming Trout Wrangler
My name is Gene Pruett, and my story is one of a lifelong journey that led me right back to where it all began: Wyoming.
It all started when I was eight years old. My dad took me fishing, and I caught my first trout. But it was my great-grandfather, Papa Harry, who showed me the true magic of the water. He didn't just teach me to cast; he taught me to be patient, to be observant, and to "think like the fish." That single lesson, on a quiet Wyoming evening, changed my life forever.
Over the years, I fished all across the country. My career took me to Hawaii and Florida, but my heart always belonged to the majestic mountains, endless skies and wild rivers of my home state. My wife and I eventually decided to leave the traffic and humidity behind and come home to Thermopolis, Wyoming.
Here, a new chapter began. I was lucky enough to learn from a retired Army Ranger guide who took my fly fishing to the next level. I started taking friends and family out, and their excitement was contagious. It wasn't just about catching fish anymore; it was about sharing the joy of it with others. My wife saw it too. She saw how happy it made me and encouraged me to become a guide—even with all the costs and challenges.
She was right. The greatest reward isn’t the size of the catch; it’s the look on someone’s face when they land their first trout on a fly rod. It’s the opportunity to share the passion that Papa Harry instilled in me so long ago. This passion is also what drives my work as the President of Thermopolis Trout Unlimited, where I am dedicated to the conservation, protection, and restoration of our coldwater fisheries.
So now, you know who the Wyoming Trout Wrangler is. I'm a passionate angler who loves to share the best of Wyoming’s waters and protect them for future generations.
Let's get you on the water and wrangle up some trout! Contact me today!
Gene Pruett Wyoming Trout Wrangler
