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Fishing Report - 5/10/24

Andrew O'Neill


Cooler temperatures have brought flows down and improved clarity a bit on the Upper Platte and Laramie Rivers, however, fishing conditions remain variable with fluctuating temperatures and precipitation over the past week. We have seen windows of decent fishing, but for the most part the North Platte and Laramie Rivers have had some tough fishing. Temperatures are forecasted to rise and with some more precipitation predicted for next week, expect to see runoff get started in earnest with increasing flows and decreasing visibility. The Plains Lakes and higher-elevation tributary streams will most likely provide the best fishing conditions for anglers over the next week.


Upper North Platte

Flows: ~ 700 cfs (Northgate)


Conditions: The Platte has been up and down, but has dropped considerably overall through the past week. Fishing has been inconsistent at best. Large streamers and nymph patterns such as the Rubber Legs, Tim's Stone, 20 Incher, and Guide's Choice Hare's Ear in darker colors with large profiles have been the most effective. With the weather forecast indicating the Platte will be on the rise over the next week, expect fishing conditions to get a little bit tougher.


Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga


Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Tim's Stone, Restless Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Blow Torch



Laramie River

Flows: ~ 100 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)


Conditions: The Big Laramie has dropped considerably in the past week, providing us with some decent days of fishing, but overall it has been the same story as the Platte: fluctuating flows, volatile weather, and inconsistent fishing. Large stonefly patterns trailed with darker-profile caddis and mayfly nymphs have been the most effective set ups.


Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga


Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Restless Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Blow Torch



Tributary Streams

Flows: ~ 50 - 400 cfs


Conditions: The tributary streams will provide the best option for anglers looking to fish moving water over the next week. While the tributaries to the Upper Platte will most likely be on the rise, the higher in elevation you can get, the more water clarity you are likely to find. Many of these tributary streams run high but clear this time of the season, giving anglers an opportunity to fish moving water while the Upper Platte and Laramie Rivers head into their runoff phases for the year.


Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, GB Crystal Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga


Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Restless Stone, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Blow Torch



Plains Lakes

Conditions: Reports from the Plains Lakes have indicated that fishing has been good to excellent for the past couple of weeks! The Plains Lakes will offer anglers the best and most consistent option to get hooked up with a quality fish at this point in the season. All of the lakes are open and fish are cruising the shallows looking for meals after a long winter.


Flies: Streamers; Hell Razor Craw, Wolly Bugger, GB Crystal Bugger, Platte River Spider, Tequeely, Pine Squirrel, Hot Head Leech


Nymphs; Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Tungsten Zebra Midge, WD40, Juju Baetis

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