CODY — A Powell angler has achieved a remarkable feat, more than doubling the qualifications required for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s prestigious Ultimate Angler status.
To earn the Ultimate Angler title, participants must catch and photograph at least 10 different species of Wyoming
game fish that meet specific trophy-size length requirements.
Game and Fish introduced the Master Angler program in 2019 to honor those who land trophy-sized fish in state waters. The program consists of three progressive levels: Master Angler (one qualifying species), Trophy Angler (five species) and Ultimate Angler (10 species).
Statewide, 65 anglers have achieved Ultimate Angler status, and two individuals have obtained it twice, including Shane Allen of Powell. Allen, however, is the first to catch and document all 24 species of Wyoming game fish of qualifying length.
"When Game and Fish developed this challenge, we didn't consider a category beyond Ultimate Angler because we thought it would be out of reach," said Alan Osterland, Game and Fish chief of fisheries. "Catching every qualifying species demonstrates an incredibly diverse skill set, along with immense enthusiasm and dedication to the sport."
Allen's journey began after catching a 36.5-inch lake trout while ice fishing in the Bighorn Mountains. Already aiming to catch every game fish in the state, he decided to officially participate in the Master Angler challenge.
Since then, he successfully landed all 24 species, with 19 caught within the Bighorn Basin. Accompanied by his favorite fishing buddy, Carol Anders, Allen traveled thousands of miles, hiked to remote mountain lakes, ice fished and navigated waters by kayak and float tube in pursuit of his goal.
Allen identified the tiger trout as the most difficult species to find at a qualifying length.
"We drove over 3,700 miles and made 19 trips to nine different lakes, but could only catch the little ones," Allen said. Eventually, Allen caught a 23-inch tiger trout in the Big Horn Basin relatively close to home.
Looking ahead, Allen plans to repeat another Game and Fish challenge called Xsteam Angler and complete his "Kokanee 17" goal, which is a personal goal he created to catch kokanee salmon in all 17 Wyoming lakes they inhabit. "It's all fun," he said, noting he has 12 lakes remaining.
Meanwhile, Anders is closing in on her own Ultimate Angler status, with only two species left to catch.