June is here and runoff seems to be starting to make a downward trend - this should be a very fishy month on the North Platte and Laramie River watersheds! Flows are still quite high, but the Platte, Laramie and their primary tributaries have shown consistently receding flows over the past few days. Wading anglers should look to the higher country to find wadeable flows and better clarity. Float fisherman can have great days on the North Platte with flows starting to drop and clarity improving.
Conditions will continue to be day-to-day for most of the fishery over the next week or so with rain in the forecast. As always, try to focus your fishing following cooler nights to find the most productive flows and clarity. Flies and techniques remain the same as peak runoff period - large double nymph patterns and large streamers fished tight to the banks will continue to be the most productive methods for turning up fish. We should start seeing caddis and large stoneflies over the next couple of weeks, and with improving clarity fish may be starting to look up!
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 1,500 cfs
Conditions: Flows are dropping and clarity is improving, yet still day-to-day on the upper Platte. Large, flashy streamers stripped close to the bank and beefy double nymph rigs fished in the pockets along the banks will give anglers their best chance at success in these conditions.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Baby Gonga, Dirty Hippy
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, Restless Stone, 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John
Laramie River
Flows: ~ 900 cfs
Conditions: Flows have started dropping, however recent rainfall has kept the Laramie in peak runoff condition over the past few days. Watch for flows to start dropping on the Laramie over the next week. Anglers may be able to find improved clarity following cooler nights. Much like the Platte, streamers and large nymphs are the go-to in runoff conditions.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Wolly Bugger, Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Baby Gonga, Dirty Hippy
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, Restless Stone, 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Scuds, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John
Tributary Streams
Flows: 300-750 cfs
Conditions: Tributary stream conditions remain day-to-day, however flows are starting to trend down and clarity is improving daily. Anglers may have luck finding good clarity following cooler nights, as well as finding good clarity at higher elevations. The higher in a drainage you can get, the more water clarity you will be able to find. Access has opened up quite a bit in the Medicine Bow National Forest, but do be mindful of encountering snow drifts and poor road conditions if you are looking to fish at higher elevations.
Flies: Streamers; Sculpzilla, Wolly Bugger, Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Wedge Head, Baby Gonga, Dirty Hippy
Nymphs; 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Scuds, Tim's Stone, CDC Stone, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John
Plains Lakes
Conditions: Reports from the Plains Lakes have indicated that fishing quality has been variable and day-to-day. Water can be a bit murky with the spring wind, so focus on sections of these lakes with good clarity. Slow stripping a streamer close to the bottom can be an effective tactic this time of year.
Flies: Streamers; GB Crystal Bugger, Hell Razor Craw, Wolly Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Baby Gonga
Nymphs; Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Tungsten Zebra Midge, WD40, Juju Baetis