We love this time of year!! Hunting seasons start opening, the weather is beautiful, water conditions are primo and the fish are looking up. Of course Miracle Mile and Fremont Canyon are fishing well and always a good place to be but Grey Reef is firing on all cylinders. This is the time of year where its not at all uncommon to throw dries, all day. Nymphs and streamers are most certaintly in play but the dry fly game is just so fun. For most of our guides, it’s chasing pods of trico eating trout in morning and switching to hoppers around lunchtime. Sound fun? Tricos, of course, can be some of the more technical dry fly fishing of the season. So be prepared to break out the 5X and don’t be afraid to throw a little something different. Maybe a larger parachute or even a royal wulff…if their staring at thousands of spinners, it never hurts to show them something a little different.
Author: AdminTRFS
Trico Time!
As we hit the middle of August Tricos are in full swing here on the Reef and the fishing is still great! We are seeing a very healthy Trico hatch from early in the morning until about 9-10am. If you’re nymphing black RS2s and Mayhem Midges have been the ticket. We haven’t been seeing too much surface action for the Trico hatch, but if you hit it on the right day you can have some shots at sipping trout. Throwing smaller mayfly patterns or trico specific flies might get these sippers to eat. As the day goes on PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and Stoneflies have all been in the mix and productive. As was the case in early August, some sort of flashy bead head with an emerger off the back can’t really be beaten when nymphing. We have yet to see hopper action pick up, but that may mean just a later and greater season on that front. Of course we have to cover the topic of grass and weeds in the river as well because this time of year is when they really pop up. Surprisingly this year it isn’t that bad yet, but it seems like the grass is growing by the minute. The key to fishing when the weeds really come in is finding where channels open up and drifting your nymph rigs through there. Looking for faster current and deeper shelves where there grass doesn’t grow as high should be your target. Your first instinct may be to shorten up and lighten up in order to drift over the weeds, but you’d be surprised to see how many trout are actually living in the grass, making drifting a little bit deeper through the channels much more effective.
That’s all for this report, hopefully next report we will be able to give you all some good news about the hopper bite!
Hello August!
Summer in Central Wyoming is in full swing! As most of you know it’s been interesting for the Rocky Mountain West this year. Low snowpack, very little spring moisture-accompanied with hot and dry conditions. Not good! Lots and lots of earlier closures and hoot-owl restrictions have become a very popular theme. Fortunate for us, conditions on the North Platte remain good. Driving out to the shop and lodge last week, we took temperatures from Bessmer Bend to Grey Reef Dam. All temperatures were taken in the middle of the day and we are happy to report 62F or cooler at all locations. The water temperature below Grey Reef Dam was 55F, approximately. So, how’s the fishing? Somewhere between good and great, just depends on the day. PMDs, sallies, caddis and tricos are whats popping and the fish are keyed in. Your hard pressed to beat a BH of some sort with an RS2 dropper, if your running the nymph program. Hoppers? We are starting to see some fish look up for hoppers and that should only improve as we move later in the month. Streamers have been producing some big fish and some solid numbers depending on the float. Just last week we had a guest land a 30″ brown on the rusty trombone. Well folks, thats your current report. If you’re in the area stop in and see us!
HOT WEATHER, HOT Fishing!
Summer fishing is in full force here on the North Platte! The Reef saw another bump in flows this past week, and we are now sitting at around 3,000cfs. This is a great flow for both floating and wading, so rig up those rods and get out there! We expect the Reef to stick at these flows for the rest of the summer, which means the upcoming weeks should be nothing short of fantastic as all of the junk in the river clears further and further from us and clarity returns to normal.
Fremont Canyon also received some much needed water, increasing from 75cfs all the way up to about 750cfs over the past two weeks. This means room for the fish to spread out which makes for some very fun wading opportunities. We don’t recommend venturing too far into the canyon, however, because at 750cfs things can get pretty dangerous in there. Stick to the meadow at the Cardwell Access Area where there are plenty of trophy fish lurking about!
PMD, Yellow Sally and Caddis nymphs all have been productive lately with depth and weight being the more important factor of a successful fishing day. Don’t be afraid to throw leeches and red and purple worms in your rigs either as increasing flows means fish looking for these nymphs floating down the river. Surface action has been slow lately, but once fish get more used to the flows dry fly fishing at dawn and dusk will become productive. No need to get too technical yet… any mayfly pattern such as a Parachute Adams or Purple Rooster will most likely do the trick!
Last but not least… The Mile! Flows have decreased from 2,700cfs down to 1800cfs and the fishing up there has been incredible over the last week. We are days away from the Golden Stone hatch which can be some of the best dry fly fishing you can do on the Mile. If you get up there and there are tons of giant stone flies buzzing about tie on a Water Walker and let the action begin! In terms of nymphs, the focus should be on stones and PMDs. Pats Rubber Legs have been killing it as well as poxybacks PMD’s, Barr’s Emergers, Bubbleback PMD’s and Split Case PMD’s. With that being said Midges, San Juans, and caddis pattern should produce as well.
Folks, we’ve reached the days of beautiful weather and epic fishing, so get out there and enjoy it while it’s here!
Summertime!
Well, we finally got some MUCH needed water in Grey Reef. Earlier this week, Bureau of Rec. decided to bump the flows to 1,500cfs, which happens to be a pretty ideal flow for both boat and wade fishing. Projected flows for Grey Reef this summer are expected to be between 2,000-3,000cfs. Things are starting to shape up nicely. Fishing is good! The bump in flows stalled the summertime bug activity, so we are seeing a few baetis again but PMDs and sallies are right around the corner. If your going to be throwing nymphs, go with the following…leeches, worms, PMD nymphs and sally nymphs. Also due to the bump in flows, water clarity is so-so below Government Bridge but that should only continue to improve. Golden stone fly nymph activity has begun to pick at the Miracle Mile, as we should start seeing a few adults in the coming weeks. This is always as fun time of year as we make the transition to the “glory days” of summer.
Baetis!
Well, as we write this report Central Wyoming is covered in a blanket of white. Per usual, the weather in April has been a mix of everything. We seem to be in a pattern of snow right now, about every other day. By no means are we complaining because moisture is always a good thing!
So as of this morning water conditions are excellent everywhere. Very, very clear from the Miracle Mile to Casper. Current flows are as follows; Miracle Mile-2,000cfs, Fremont Canyon-72cfs and Grey Reef-450cfs. So as for the fishing…we are in the middle of the baetis aka BWO spring hatch. They are popping on a daily basis and the fish are keyed in! Our guides have almost excusively moved over to strictly baetis patterns and our trademark mini-rig, especially during the peak of the hatch. A 3-5ft rig, with minimal split shot tethered to a couple of bugs. RS2 foam-wing, PAL, McGruber, pheasant-tail, jujubaetis, mayhem with a soft hackle trailer. It’s a fun time of year to be fishing, for sure. Our fish love to hammer on the emerging bugs!
Aside from the baetis hatch, streamer fishing has produced some pretty solid days over the past few weeks. Per usual, the rusty series of articulated streamers has been the top producers. With the lower water conditions on Grey Reef and intermediate line has been about perfect. Anything of depth is holding fish and don’t hesitate to vary your retrieve depending on the type of water your in.
Post Storm Fly Fishing Report and Grey Reef Flush Update!
While most of Wyoming and Colorado was hit by a major winter storm Alcova and Grey Reef hardly got an inch of snow! The roads are all opening up and the weather this weekend looks prime! Our cottages are full this weekend, but we still have guide availability. Please Call the shop for updated Miracle mile road reports.
The flush of Grey Reef is NOT happening this year due to a few different circumstances. Do not worry, the fishing has been and will remain good. We saw increased flows in October last year and that cleared out a ton of sediment and debris from the spawning areas. Honestly the fishing every year is usually the same pre flush as it is post flush. It’s just kind of a different and fun way to kick off to the season. We just beefed up our snowpack with the last storm and should hopefully be able to fill some of our reservoirs.
Flies: Fishing has been really good on all three tailwaters, conveniently the flies are similar for all of them. Leeches in brown, olive, natural #10, Reef Worms in red and purple #12-18, Scuds in olive, pink and orange #14-16, Pheasant Tails #16-18, Mayhem Midges black and purple #18-20, All day May in olive #18, PAL #16-20, and Rhinestone in #18-20 have all been great patterns the past few weeks!
Flows: Flows are low and will stay that way for the next few weeks. The only change we are supposed to see is Grey Reef go back up to 500 CFS from 400CFS
Grey Reef-400 CFS
Miracle Mile-500 CFS
Fremont canyon- 72 CFS
If you have any questions feel free to stop by the shop or give us a call!
Spring is on it’s way!
Well, here we are. Hard to believe it’s already March and thus far it has been a lamb. Temperatures the past week have been in the 50s and 60s with relatively mild winds. That being said, Grey Reef is at 500cfs and open from the Dam to Casper. Keep in mind, warmer temps are causing the lower elevation snow to runoff, so water conditions have been variable below Government Bridge. The upper is currently in great shape and the fishing, as you would expect, is good. A few fish starting to make redds but we are still on the front side of the spawn. It has pretty much been a nymphing/streamer game as of late. Pine squirrel leech, reef worm, PAL, rhinestone, mayhem midge, pheasant tail-have been our top producing nymph patterns. Length/weight has been 4-7ft with 1-3(BB) split shot. On the streamer front…rusty trombone, goldie, kreelex have been our top picks. We prefer fishing them on the Airflo 40+ fast intermediate line…it just seems to hit the sweet spot in the water column.
We currently DO NOT have any updates in regards to the SPRING FLUSH. As soon as we know anything we will let you know.
Spring Weather is Here! North Platte Fly Fishing Report!
Spring is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited! The fishing has been great and have guide trips out quite a bit! The weather looks great for the next ten days and the fish are on the feed! We still have our shoulder season rates going through March 15th and some availability left! Call the shop and lets get your 2021 fishing season started off right!
There has been no official announcement of the 2021 Flush. We will update our social pages and this report once we have confirmed dates. The flush is historically set for the second week of March.
Grey Reef- 500 CFS Fishing has been great on The Reef as you would expect from the North PLatte’s most consistent fishery. Leeches have been the top producer. Chocolate, natural and olive are all working well. Reef worms in red and purple, the Reef’s PAL, mayhem midges, tubing midges, and the Rhinestone are all getting fish too! The river is open from the Dam to Government bridge!
Fremont Canyon/Cardwell- 75 CFS It has been pretty busy up there so you might want to sixe down your tippet and get a little “techy”. Mini rigs for midges and good presentations! The PAL, Tubing midges, Reef worms, Rhinestones, Mayhem Midges, and pheasant tails.
Miracle Mile – 530 CFS Fishing has been good lately but also have to deal with some crowds. Leeches are still the go to followed by Reef worms and san juan worms, the PAL, rhinestone and mayhem midges. Theres been sgreat midge hatches out there everyday!
Give us a call or stop be the shop if you have any questions!
Mild Winter
It has been a strangely mild winter in Central Wyoming, no doubt. Moderate temperatures and lackluster snowfall, it’s a marked contrast from this time last year. Grey Reef, Miracle Mile and Fremont are all in great shape and fishing well. Flows have stabilized, with roughly 500cfs (current flows as of 1/27/2021: Miracle Mile-490cfs, Fremont-72cfs, and Grey Reef-501cfs) moving down the system, top to bottom. We have mostly been spending our time on Grey Reef as of late. And just a heads up, with some colder days/nights mixed in, floating to Lusby can be questionable. That being said make sure you check in with us or someone local before committing to floating.
Nymphs, streamers with the occasional dry-fly pod seems to be the name of the game. Standard nymph fare-leeches, reef worms, scuds, PALs, mayhems are a great place to start. Fish are definitely concentrated at the middle to lower half of the run, so think a little longer-5-8ft, 1-3 BB split shot, 3X and 4X tippet. Streamers are definitely worth your time as well. An intermediate line or a small sink-tip is working well on a slow strip. Single hooked or small articulated patterns in white, tan and/or olive have being working best. And on the calm days keep your eyes peeled for fish on top. It’s been nothing crazy but we are getting a few on various midge dries.