Runoff is starting and flow rates have been fluctuating a fair bit over the past two weeks. Fishing remains productive when conditions cause flow rates to drop and clarity to improve. Focusing your fishing around colder stretches of weather can produce excellent fishing opportunities right now. Keep an eye on flow rates as runoff is likely to start in earnest with some precipitation and warmer weather in the forecast this week. Higher elevation tributaries will maintain fishable flows with decent clarity longer than the main branches of the Laramie River and North Platte River.
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 650 cfs
Conditions: The Platte has been dropping over the past few days with cooler temperatures and should be fishing well with good clarity. Flows should increase over the next week, expect fishing to slow down with decreasing clarity.
Flies: Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Wolly Bugger, GB Crystal Bugger, Sculpzilla, Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Copper John, FAV Variant, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Phesant Tail, Scuds, San Juan Worms
Laramie River
Flows: ~ 115 cfs
Conditions: Flows have been dropping on the Laramie over the past several days resulting in improved clarity and fishing quality. Look for flows on the Laramie to increase gradually over the next week and fishing productivity to slow a bit with decreasing clarity.
Flies: Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Baby Gonga, Dirty Hippy, Wolly Bugger, 20 Incher, Scuds, San Juan Worms, Coper John, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, WD-40
Tributary Streams
Flows: 50 - 150 cfs
Conditions: Tributary streams are running clear and fishing well, but look for clarity to start decreasing with runoff coming this week. Tributary streams should remain fishable and clear for a longer duration than the main branches of the Laramie and the North Platte, so focus on the tributary streams when the main branches blow out.
Flies: Sculpzilla, Baby Gonga, Dirty Hippy, Wedge Head, Tequeely, Wolly Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Platte River Spider, 20 Incher, Copper John, Pheasant Tail, Devil Jig, FAV Variant, Scuds, San Juan Worms
Plains Lakes
Conditions: The Plains Lakes are fishing well, but look for lakes to potentially turn in the coming days. The Lakes will be the best option for quality fishing opportunities as the rivers increase in flows and become unfishable.
Flies: Hell Razor Craw, Pine Squirrel, Tequeely, Wolly Bugger, Olive Hare's Ear, Zebra Midge, WD-40