A bit of delay in our fishing report update for this first week of June, but that is only because not much has changed in terms of fishing quality and water conditions. Runoff is continuing and we are expecting to see the Laramie and North Platte Rivers, along with tributary streams continue to rise over the next week at least.
Salmonflies are starting to pop up a bit on the Upper Platte, and we should be seeing the hatch pick up over the course of the next week. Timing this hatch can be difficult as peak bug activity typically coincides with peak flows and poor water visibility. The best fishing conditions will be on days following cooler nighttime temperatures where we see flows stabilize or even drop a bit. With warmer temperatures and scattered thunderstorms in the forecast, we are not anticipating a drop in flows for the next week at least.
The Laramie Plains Lakes and some of the higher elevation tributary streams will offer anglers the best fishing opportunities during this runoff window. Anglers seeking out moving water will find the best conditions on tributary streams at higher elevations. Flows are likely to be high, but these streams typically run clear during the runoff period, providing windows of decent fishing conditions.
Float fishermen can certainly have quality days on the Upper Platte at this time of year, but fishing conditions will be very much day-to-day and highly dependent on water clarity.
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 1500 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 off and on depending on water clarity. Salmonflies are starting to make an appearance, although the hatch is not in peak form just yet. Anglers will do best with a large nymph rig featuring large stonefly patterns in black, brown, or orange fished close to the bank. Streamers will also be a good option in these high flows.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga
Dries; Carnage Stone, Christensen's Salmonfly, Swisher's Foam PMX, Chubby Chernobyl, Clark's Stonefly
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, Restless Stone, 20 Incher, Tim's Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Blow Torch
Laramie River
Flows: ~ 900 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: ~ 300 - 2000 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