Tag: Fishing

Spring Fly Fishing, Barbless Pledge and the Flushing Flows

Posted on by hosting@thebarkfirm.com

Wyoming is sparsely populated with people but densely populated with trout. The fly fishing at Miracle Mile, Fremont Canyon and Grey Reef is firing on all cylinders. Slowly retrieved streamers are getting some love but the most effective rigs have been a scud/midge nymph rig with pretty light tippet and keeping the midge up in the water column a little bit. The Reef Fly Shop has a great selection of custom foam winged (buoyant) patterns to accomplish this approach. Worms and leeches are also good lead patterns. Miracle Mile has a pretty strong preference for red San Juan Worms or Bead Head Mohair Leeches, Fremont Canyon likes light tippet and a rig with 2 midges. Focusing on soft edges and tailouts is a really good idea but don’t discount shelves and riffles in heavier parts of the daily midge hatch.

Give us a shout if you are shopping for an awesome domestic fly fishing package for 2020. We are easy to fly and drive to and can compete with any destination in the world when it comes to the experience and high quality fishing. We have a great corporate and group option (including reduced rates and airport transportation) as well. We have Grey Reef’s most experienced guide staff, best location and unmatched private access since 1998.

The Flushing Flows are scheduled to begin March 28 and continue for 10 days. Many factors can alter the schedule so expect some changes. Grey Reef Reservoir will be down to the river channel on March 24th.

We pledged to fish barbless over 20 years ago and hope you’ll join us. It is really simple to pinch your barbs and it is the right thing to do for our trout population and catch-and-release fly fishing. Recently we’ve witnessed an uptick of social media accounts almost glorify pictures of trout that are missing parts of their face. This is caused by irresponsible angling. There are many things we can do to reduce the instances of disfigured trout but pinching barbs is the first step. Let’s not make the fish suffer for our lack of ability. Preserve trout faces at Grey Reef and fisheries everywhere by pledging to pinch your and your fishing customers’ barbs.

This brown was proud to swim away with all lips

 

 

Spring Fly Fishing, Barbless Pledge and the Flushing Flows

Posted on by AdminNPL

Wyoming is sparsely populated with people but densely populated with trout. The fly fishing at Miracle Mile, Fremont Canyon and Grey Reef is firing on all cylinders. Slowly retrieved streamers are getting some love but the most effective rigs have been a scud/midge nymph rig with pretty light tippet and keeping the midge up in the water column a little bit. The Reef Fly Shop has a great selection of custom foam winged (buoyant) patterns to accomplish this approach. Worms and leeches are also good lead patterns. Miracle Mile has a pretty strong preference for red San Juan Worms or Bead Head Mohair Leeches, Fremont Canyon likes light tippet and a rig with 2 midges. Focusing on soft edges and tailouts is a really good idea but don’t discount shelves and riffles in heavier parts of the daily midge hatch.

Give us a shout if you are shopping for an awesome domestic fly fishing package for 2020. We are easy to fly and drive to and can compete with any destination in the world when it comes to the experience and high quality fishing. We have a great corporate and group option (including reduced rates and airport transportation) as well. We have Grey Reef’s most experienced guide staff, best location and unmatched private access since 1998.

The Flushing Flows are scheduled to begin March 28 and continue for 10 days. Many factors can alter the schedule so expect some changes. Grey Reef Reservoir will be down to the river channel on March 24th.

We pledged to fish barbless over 20 years ago and hope you’ll join us. It is really simple to pinch your barbs and it is the right thing to do for our trout population and catch-and-release fly fishing. Recently we’ve witnessed an uptick of social media accounts almost glorify pictures of trout that are missing parts of their face. This is caused by irresponsible angling. There are many things we can do to reduce the instances of disfigured trout but pinching barbs is the first step. Let’s not make the fish suffer for our lack of ability. Preserve trout faces at Grey Reef and fisheries everywhere by pledging to pinch your and your fishing customers’ barbs.

This brown was proud to swim away with all lips

 

 

North Platte River Flush and Snow Pack Update

Posted on by AdminNPL

2019 SPRING FLUSH:

The flush has been tentatively slated for March 18-24. As opposed to years past(10-day flush), this years flush will be seven days.  Also with the bridge construction below Alcova, flush hours will take place during the night hours and flows will be back to 500cfs by 6:00am. If there are any changes to this, we will continue to update.

A much anticipated spring is on the horizon and it cant get here fast enough. With that, the upper North Platte drainage is sitting pretty good on snow pack. Currently at 112%.  This is great as we will hopefully get a much needed fill of our reservoirs and keep a good flow in the river.  This makes for happy fish and happier fishermen!  http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/snowprec/snowprec.html 

We have started to get a bunch of our new inventory in and we couldn’t be more excited! New apparel and gear in both the lodge and The Reef Fly Shop. Give us a follow on our Facebook and Instagram accounts to get a quick preview! Make sure you stop in to check it out!  

Thaw and Flush

Posted on by hosting@thebarkfirm.com

March is an exciting month. It’s the time of year where anything can happen with the weather. It will snow a foot one day, and then be 50 degrees on another. The river that has been frozen down stream will start to open, and the banks will start to come alive. The beginning of spring. Things will start to thaw and the North Platte River will be hub for activity. It is to many, their favorite time of the year to go Fly Fishing! Floating is an amazing way to see everything from deer and antelope, all the way to turkeys strutting their stuff on the banks. Oh, and did I mention the fishing is fantastic? The Reef Fly Shop has the best early season package in the business! 2 nights in a cottage and 1 day of guided fishing on Grey Reef for $600! Until March 15 where we return to regular season rates. Get it while it lasts!

Every year the North Platte River is flushed near the second week of March for ten days. The flush is when the Bureau Of Rec slowly bumps flows up from our current 500cfs to 4000cfs and then back down slowly to 500cfs over night. This cleans out the “junk” if you will on the bottom of the river. Over the year silt and debris covers some of the bottom and prime spawning habitat for our fishery. The high flows clean this from the bottom moving it down stream away from prime spawning habitat. This year however, with the remaining ice and cold weather in the extended forecast. Coupled with the current bridge construction taking place below Alcova Dam, dates for the flush have not come out yet. There are a few factors to think of with this. We don’t want the flush to be late, as this will wash away where fish have already spawned. However, we do want a flush to clean up the bottom, creating more prime spawning habitat. With a little luck, hopefully the weather warms up and it will get back on track! We will continue to update everyone on the flush plans and schedule as we gain more information.

We recently have made some changes to The Reef Fly Shop and it is starting to come along nicely! Click the link here to check it out. https://youtu.be/xWb4pN_G43I Although we have the project going, we are still open. So stop in to grab your gear and see the changes yourself!

We’ve made it out to the Miracle Mile a couple times in the last few weeks. Braving the elements. This is always a challenge this time of year. Roads are a pain, wind blowing, and cold temps make it hard. But can be well worth it. Swinging streamers, we were able to connect on some great fish! The Miracle Mile road had some drifting and slippery spots so be careful if you are going to make the trip out passed Alcova!

Wyoming’s Grey Reef and Miracle Mile Fly Fishing Report

Posted on by Grey Reef

Grey Reef Fly Fishing report was cold and nasty yesterday with lots of Wyoming roads closed. We had to push a number of trips as Grey Reef anglers couldn’t get to the area. Miracle Mile fly fishing conditions are good but the roads are poor. Leave those alone for a day or three. With the winter weather all across Wyoming, the fishing was still excellent. A couple rounds of midges had fish on and very near the surface. Of course the beatis were doing their thing but midges have been very prolific and important. The Grey Reef section of the North Platte River is in great fishing condition and the sections below Government Bridge have improved dramatically…even into Casper. Casper Mountain received 20″ of snow so we should expect poor conditions below the Grey Reef section again as that snow melts. We would be very happy if the BuRec decided to push a little extra water down the North Platte River to give the fish a little more room and spread things out. This would also help IF we get some dirty water associated with the latest storm.The Fremont Canyon fishing report is great but a tad more busy.

Short/light emerger rigs with a PAL and UV Crystal Midge has been super productive. Our Rhinestone has also been a hyper performer. Lighter rods are not a bad idea as the a compliant tip help to hold the aggressive Grey Reef trout. Don’t get too flashy the fish can see everything and don’t need big obnoxious flies to be noticed. We have had some good dry fly opportunities and the streamer fishing has been hit or miss. Swinging and stripping emergers has been pretty dang fun!

We do have some Grey Reef cottage availability and guides next week. We do have a lodge spot available over Memorial Day weekend as well. We have 2 weekend lodge spots in June and then we are pretty snug until the 23rd of August. We do have a full lodge option at that point.

Grey Reef Fly Fishing Report – March 6

Posted on by hosting@thebarkfirm.com

The Grey Reef Fly Fishing Report is solid fishing in Alcova, Wyoming but the river is green on the true Grey Reef section of the North Platte River, from Grey Reef Dam to Government Bridge. The upper is where you should focus your efforts due to increased run off as you travel downstream. Today we are expecting 55* and 55mph gusts….a genuine 50/50 day! This will do some major damage to the existing snow and will likely exacerbate the green river conditions.

Fremont Canyon and Miracle Mile fishing report is also good. Fremont is clear and fishing particularity well. Miracle Mile access is still a little muddy in spots and fishing good. Now on par with Grey Reef but well worth it.

Thanks for the sore ears! The phones at the shop and lodge have been ringing off the hook and we are very grateful for that. Do not hesitate to call for any reason. If you need a conditions or road report or questions about bugs or the flush…give us a yell. Brad is front and center at The Reef Fly Shop and can give you the play by play as it unfolds.

We are proud to announce that we are now a Patagonia dealer! We have always worn a lot of Patagonia gear for the simple reason that it works better than anything and far outlasts its welcome in our wardrobes. You ever want to just have a new piece of gear because you are tired of the old stuff? Hard to justify it when it is still in great condition, right? Well that is the Patagonia dilemma…you better want that piece of gear for a long time or plan an exit strategy.

Grey Reef Blizzard Fishing

Posted on by Grey Reef

Fly Fishing Alcova, Wyoming right now is a practice in winter survival. Temps near zero and a bout 4″ of fluffy snow in the past several hours. Grey Reef is blanketed in white but the sun is poking through on occasion as the snow fades. Impressive midge hatch! Love all the black midges on the white snow it king of makes you stop and rethink the insect world. Miracle Mile will be tougher to access and fishing Fremont Canyon will be relatively easy.

Midges, the name of the game. Learn where and why and be a productive fly fisher for life. The rest comes easy and you won’t even consider going back. Hopefully, the weather cooperates as we have guides scheduled to be on Grey Reef this week. However, we won’t put our guests in an uncomfortable situation. There is no compromise with regard to our dedication to providing the best product on the North Platte River.

Fly Fishing Wyoming 2/24/14

Posted on by hosting@thebarkfirm.com

North Platte River / Grey Reef Angling has been on fire. Streamers knocked their socks off yesterday and the nymphing was great. No big fish but high quality Grey Reef trout. Couple lows plowing over the Casper and Alcova, Wyoming region over the next few days. Not terribly warm and not very snowy. No reason to expect any slow fishing so get your waders wet as the weather suits you. The Reef Fly Shop guides have been on the water and are ready for the assault of the 2104 season. The shop has been open in the AM but give a shout if you plan on being here during the week so we will be sure to see you. Miracle Mile fishing report- fishing well but not silly. Fremont Canyon fishing report -fishing is about the same as Miracle Mile. Nymphing is the ticket at both venues but streamers will always get some attention. Neither pack the winter punch of Grey Reef fishing production in general but both are well worth it.

Stay tuned for the “Barn Raising” party details.

Grey Reef, Miracle Mile and Fremont Canyon Fishing Report

Posted on by Grey Reef

Wyoming fly fishing will be stereotypical over the next several days. Expect Grey Reef and Miracle Mile to fish excellent if you can get your bugs in the water. The Alcova, Wyoming region will be warm and windy. Anglers familiar with Grey Reef understand that the wind can be used to your advantage but you have to play it right. Under the windswept surface of the Grey Reef and the Miracle Mile sections of the North Platte River are thousands of heavily feeding trout and hundreds of those are trophy trout.

Nymph rigs at Grey Reef, Miracle Mile and Fremont Canyon will be between 6-8′ with appropriate weight and a rusty scud, pine squirrel leech, Reef worm or midge top fly and a midge bottom fly will get them all day long. Tan Sex Dungeons, articulated Goldies, Medusas and black Home Invaders have been effective streamers on a tip with a swing/slow retrieve. The occurrence of browns is impressive and has us scratching our head. The Reef Fly Shop, Cottages & RV will be open so stop in and check out the Mayhem Midges and the BuffTrout hat emporium.

Pegged Beads Memo : The Casper, Wyoming office of the Wyoming Game and Fish issued a memo regarding the illegal use of pegged beads. The law has always been that a fish must willingly take the hook into its mouth or it is considered illegal snagging. They issued a picture showing the only acceptable method of pegging beads and the bead must be touching the eye of the hook. With this arrangement the fish is willingly taking the hook into its mouth. One inch above and it is snagging. Also, the definition of a hook is a hooked device or bait regardless of the number of prongs. Trying to skirt the law by using a Reef worm and a bead pegged above doesn’t change the arrangement. Save your beads for Alaska and tie up some cool midge or baetis patterns for Grey Reef and Miracle Mile. Bury your worm box and challenge yourself to be a student of the trout and river…you will be very surprised and your approach to fly fishing will forever change.

For a spirited conversation regarding pegged beads visit The Reef Fly Shop Facebook page.

Grey Reef Fishing Report

Posted on by hosting@thebarkfirm.com

Fly fishing Central Wyoming will be comfortable and productive for the remainder of the week. The Grey Reef section of the North Platte River will be flirting with 50*f high temps! Miracle Mile will be a couple degrees cooler. Roads to Miracle Mile are fine and upper Grey Reef is floatable. The boys have had some very productive streamer fishing this week and the nymphing is even better. Keeping the streamer low and level and the nymph just slightly suspended.

Spring angling on Grey Reef is an experience that should be on every anglers bucket list. The trout are feeding with enthusiasm that won’t be duplicated for the remainder of the year. March and April are excellent. We do have the pleasure of a longer spring flushing flow on Grey Reef now. Expect a 10 day flush. Also expect the opportunity to catch fish in places that aren’t available the rest of the year. Who knew Alcova, Wyoming could be a fly fishing destination like it has grown to be?

We have a few pieces of exciting news to share but will tease until we get the go-ahead. Stay tuned!