Fishing Report - 4/30/26

I would love to say winter is back in southern Wyoming, but that would imply it was ever here. More like winter has finally arrived in southern Wyoming. We have seen some decent snowfall over the past week that should help with our very meager snowpack, although we are still sitting well below average for the year. Flows in the Laramie and Platte River drainages have stalled a bit, but appear to be back on the rise heading into the weekend.

Conditions will be very much day-to-day this week, but overall fishing has been pretty productive and this can be some of the best fishing of the year for anglers that can find relatively stable flows and decent water clarity. Tributaries and main river branches will fish better on the drop as opposed to when flows are rising.

We have not observed much significant insect activity so far, so streamers and nymphs should continue to be the ticket. Anglers who keep an eye on the weather and locate sections of river with stable flows and clarity can be rewarded for their efforts this time of year. With fluctuating flows, water temperatures, and late spring weather, the most consistent action will still be found on the plains lakes where fish should still be cruising the shallows.

Upper North Platte

Flows: ~ 120 cfs (Northgate)

Conditions: The Platte has been fishing well but looks to be consistently on the rise heading into next week. Good water clarity windows in the mornings should provide the best fishing, but productivity is likely to drop off a bit this week with increasing flows and decreasing clarity.

Flies: Nymphs; 20 Incher, Pat's Rubber Legs, Tim's Stone, Flexy Stone, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, San Juan Worm, Get Down Worm

Streamers; GB Crystal Bugger, Platte River Spider, Wolly Bugger, Mini Dungeon, Sculpzilla, Silvey's Sculpin, Circus Peanut

Laramie River

Flows: ~ 30 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)

Conditions: Flows on the Laramie have been a little more consistent than the Platte and fishing has been productive with streamers and nymph rigs. The Laramie is starting to rise a bit, but at a slower rate than the Platte, so fishing conditions should hold a little better into next week.

Flies: Nymphs; 20 Incher, Pat's Rubber Legs, Tim's Stone, San Juan Worm, Get Down Worm

Streamers; Mini Dungeon, Circus Peanut, Mini Bangtail, Sculpzilla, Silvey's Sculpin, Platte Spider, Stacked Blonde, Zoo Cougar

Tributary Streams

Flows: ~ 25- 300 cfs

Conditions: Tributaries to the Platte and Laramie Rivers are likely to be the best option moving into next week with rising flows. Tributaries offer the opportunity to explore flows at different elevations, and typically anglers who search higher in the drainages can find fishable flows and clear water.

Flies: Nymphs; 20 Incher, Rubber Legs, Hare's Ear, Copper John, San Juan Worm

Streamers; Thin Mint, Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga

Vedauwoo/Pole Mountain

Conditions: No reports from Veduawoo/Pole Mountain this season.

Flies: N/A

Alpine Lakes and Streams

Conditions: N/A

Flies: N/A