Runoff has arrived with the Laramie and North Platte Rivers, along with a majority of their tributaries, running high and off color. With increasing nighttime temperatures and more precipitation in the forecast, fishing conditions will likely continue to be difficult until the lower elevation snow melt begins to subside and water clarity has a chance to improve a bit.
The best options for anglers around Laramie right now will be the plains lakes and higher elevation tributaries. The plains lakes have reportedly been fishing quite well, with anglers getting into fish on both indicator nymph rigs and pulling streamers. Anglers looking to get out on the rivers should look to higher elevation tributary streams - while many of them will be running high, they do typically have much better clarity than the North Platte and Laramie River main branches. Be aware that some roads and trails into higher elevation tributaries may still be inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures.
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 1200 cfs (Northgate)
Conditions: The Platte is on the rise and approaching peak runoff mode. Wade fishing is very difficult at these flows, and float fishing has been largely unproductive over the past week as well. Fishing conditions should improve in a couple of weeks as the lower elevation snowpack melts off and we start to see improving clarity. Large streamers and nymph patterns such as the Rubber Legs, Tim's Stone, 20 Incher, and Guide's Choice Hare's Ear in darker colors with large profiles have been the most effective.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Tim's Stone, Restless Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Blow Torch
Laramie River
Flows: ~ 500 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)
Conditions: The Big Laramie is approaching peak runoff levels with high water and poor clarity. Anglers should look to higher elevation tributaries for better water clarity. Throwing large streamers or stonefly patterns along the banks will be the most effective way to search for trout in these tough conditions.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Restless Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Blow Torch
Tributary Streams
Flows: ~ 150 - 500 cfs
Conditions: The tributary streams are also in runoff condition, however some of the smaller, higher-elevation tributaries will provide anglers with the best option to fish some moving water during the peak runoff window. Many tributaries are running high and off-color, but focusing efforts on getting as high in elevation as possible will give anglers the best opportunity for finding water with the best clarity. Larger streamers and nymph patterns will continue to be the most effective set ups in these higher flows.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, GB Crystal Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Restless Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Blow Torch
Plains Lakes
Conditions: Reports from the Plains Lakes have indicated that fishing has been good to excellent for the past couple of weeks! The Plains Lakes will offer anglers the best and most consistent option to get hooked up with a quality fish at this point in the season. All of the lakes are open and fish are reportedly being caught on both nymph rigs and stripped streamers.
Flies: Streamers; Hell Razor Craw, Wolly Bugger, GB Crystal Bugger, Platte River Spider, Tequeely, Pine Squirrel, Hot Head Leech
Nymphs; Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Tungsten Zebra Midge, WD40, Juju Baetis