While we have experienced some cooler nights and fairly considerable rainfall over the past weeks, many of our tributaries to the upper Platte and Laramie Rivers are in low water condition with water temperatures rising up above 65 degrees in the afternoons.
The North Platte and Laramie Rivers are experiencing slightly better flows than the tributaries, and are fishing well in the mornings. Fishing tends to slow down after midday with rising water temperatures and fish becoming lethargic. We recommend carrying a stream thermometer this time of year if you are releasing fish, and remember that the chances of fish mortality increase significantly when water temperatures rise above 68 degrees.
This is a great time of year to explore some of our high country lakes and streams. The streams and fish are smaller, but they are eager to take dry flies and water temperatures and conditions have been excellent throughout the day on smaller tributaries above 9,000' in elevation. Grab your favorite 3 weight, a pocket full of dry flies, some floatant, and start exploring the high country!
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 125 cfs (Northgate)
Conditions: The Platte is in great wading condition and continues to fish well in the morning. Fish are becoming lethargic and feeding activity is slowing down as water temperatures rise in the afternoon. Hopper droppers will remain the most productive prospecting rig, and anglers looking to match the hatch should have some PMD, caddis, and especially trico patterns in their boxes.
Flies: Dries; Stimulator, Light Cahill, Corn Fed Caddis, Elk Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Amy's Ant, Hippie Stomper, Chubby Trico Spinner, Para Adams, Batwing Emerger,
Nymphs; HDA FAV, Blow Torch, Devil Jig, Copper John, RS2, 20 Incher, Rubber Legs, WD40, Psycho Prince
Streamers; Platte River Spider, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga
Laramie River
Flows: ~ 25 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)
Conditions: The Big Laramie has dropped considerably and is a little bit on the low side despite recent rainfall. Anglers can still have good dry fly and hopper dropper action in the mornings when fish are more active. Carry a thermometer and monitor stream temperatures, avoid fishing in water temps over 68 degrees if you are catching and releasing fish.
Flies: Dries; Chubby Chernobyl, Swisher's Foam PMX, Amy's Ant, Hippie Stomper, CDC Ant, Humpy, Yellow Sally, Para Adams, Light Cahill, Chubby Trico Spinner
Nymphs; Guide's Choice Hare's Ear, HDA FAV, Blow Torch, Psycho Prince, 307 Nymph, Copper John, 20 Incher, Rubber Legs
Streamers; Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, Thin Mint, Tequeely, Baby Gonga
Tributary Streams
Flows: ~ 10 - 40 cfs
Conditions: The tributary streams have gotten to be a little on the low side compared to the main branches of the North Platte and Laramie Rivers. Anglers are better off focusing their fishing on the main branches in the mornings before water temperatures rise. Most tributaries are quite low, resulting in water temperatures rising faster, and spooky fish. The most productive fishing will be in the early mornings with stealth and presentation being key.
Flies: Dries; Chubby Chernobyl (8-14), Swisher's Foam PMX, Amy's Ant, Stimulator, Elk Caddis, CDC Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, Humpy, Para Adams
Nymphs; Tim's Stone, 20 Incher, Blow Torch, HDA FAV, Guide's Choice, Prince Nymph, Devil Jig, Copper John, Dirty Bird, Caddistrophic Pupa
Streamers; Slumpbuster, Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, GB Crystal Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga
Alpine Lakes and Streams
Conditions: Higher elevation lakes and streams will provide the best option for anglers looking to maximize their effective fishing time. Most lakes and streams above 9000' in elevation should stay below 68 degrees throughout the day, but it never hurts to have a stream thermometer in your kit anyway. Fishing can be quite productive at these higher elevations due to the short feeding window. Small streamers, attractors dries, and nymphs both dead-drifted and stripped can all be effective methods on alpine lakes.
Flies: Streamers; GB Crystal Bugger, Wolly Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Hale Bopp
Dries; Amy's Ant, Swisher's Foam PMX, Stimulator, Light Cahill, Para Adams
Nymphs; Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Tungsten Zebra Midge, WD40, Juju Baetis
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