Fishing Report - 5/14/26

Fishing has been heating up as we are starting to see some insect activity and fish starting to get a little more aggressive going after streamers and surface patterns. Flows continue to fluctuate with the fickle spring weather, but the main branch of the Platte and some of the higher elevation tributaries have been consistently producing solid fishing over the past couple weeks. We are seeing some tributaries such as the Little Laramie in our local valley and the Encampment in the Platte River valley increase in flows consistently now. Alpine runoff appears to have started, but the main branches of the North Platte and Laramie Rivers will be a little slow to catch up. Some snow and colder weather in the forecast next week could stall things a bit once again.

Overall, fishing has been great! Anglers should have plenty of options at this point in the season with pre runoff conditions on some rivers and streams along with alpine lakes starting to ice off. As always, give us a call at the shop for the most up-to-the-minute conditions! (307) 460-2221

Upper North Platte

Flows: ~ 150 cfs (Northgate)

Conditions: We are continuing to see great fishing on the Platte. Fish have not been shy about taking streamers and we are starting to see surface eats on some attractor patterns. I witnessed the first somewhat consistent surface activity this week with fish rising to sporadic caddis and PMD hatches.

Flies: Dries; Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Humpy, Amy's Ant, Light Cahill

Nymphs; Pat's Rubber Legs, Tim's Stone, Flexy Stone, 20 Incher, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, San Juan Worm, Get Down Worm, Guide's Choice Hare's Ear, Copper John, Blowtorch, Duracell Bomb, Pheasant Tail

Streamers; Galloup's Nancy P, Mini Dungeon, Circus Peanut, Mini Bangtail, Heisenberg, Zoo Cougar, Sculpzilla, GB Crystal Bugger, Thin Mint, Slumpbuster, Platte Spider

Laramie River

Flows: ~ 100 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)

Conditions: Flows on the Laramie have been fluctuating somewhat and fishing conditions a bit more sporadic than the Platte. We have had decent flows and clarity, however. Keep an eye on flows and try to focus your fishing around cooler nights when flows drop a bit. Expect flows to be on the rise going 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: ~ 100- 600 cfs

Conditions: We are starting to see tributary streams start to jump up a bit with alpine runoff becoming fairly consistent over the past week. Despite the high flows, these higher elevation tributaries often still run clear providing good opportunities for when water clarity starts to degrade on the main branches.

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

Alpine Lakes and Streams

Conditions: Everything is icing off now which always provides some of the year's best action throughout the Snowy Range alpine lakes, the only issue may be snow drifts blocking accessibility to some of the lakes off the main drag.

Flies: Nymphs; Hare's Ear, Copper John, Pheasant Tail, Scuds, Zebra Midge

Streamers; GB Crystal Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Platte Spider, Thin Mint, Balanced Thin Mint

Vedauwoo/Pole Mountain

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

Flies: N/A