Runoff has come to an end for the year and we are into summer flow season here in southern Wyoming. Fishing is still very productive on the North Platte and Laramie Rivers, as well as on tributary and high country streams.
With recent air temperatures breaking 90 degrees, rivers and lower elevation tributaries are running low and water temperatures can get a little on the warm side during the middle of the day. Mornings and evenings should provide the best insect activity and fishing on the North Platte and Laramie Rivers, as well as lower elevation tributaries. Carry a stream thermometer and keep an eye on water temperatures to avoid over-stressing fish.
The high country lakes and streams will provide an excellent option on hotter days. Alpine streams are running clear and fishing with attractor dry and hopper-dropper rigs should be very productive as high country fish take advantage of the short growing season.
Overall, fishing remains very productive throughout southern Wyoming on all of our local rivers and alpine lakes and streams. Be sure to keep an eye on water temperatures, especially at lower elevations.
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 300 cfs
Conditions: The Platte is now in great condition for wade fishing with plenty of insect activity. Look for fish to key in on caddis and/or PMDs during the early and late part of the day. A hopper dropper rig with any combination of caddis, mayfly or stonefly nymphs fished below a stonefly, hopper, or beetle imitation can be productive throughout the day.
Flies: Dry flies; Chubby Chernobyl, Swisher's Foam PMX, Amy's Ant, 409 Yeager, B/C Dropper Hopper, Hippie Stomper, Dave's Beetle, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, Light Cahill, Little Yellow Stone, Chubby Sally, Parachute Adams
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, HDA FAV Variant, Blow Torch, Duracell Bomb
Laramie River
Flows: ~ 65 cfs
Conditions: With the drake hatch starting to wind down, fishing remains productive on the Laramie as we start to see a wide variety of insect activity - particularly in the mornings and evenings. Fish will still be looking up for big mayflies and attractor dries, and a hopper dropper rig can be productive when fish are not keyed in on a hatch. As the drakes become consistent, look for sporadic hatches of caddis, PMDs, and yellow sallies to get the fish's attention.
Flies: Dry flies; Carnage Drake, Bear's HiViz Brown Drake, Adams (#10 - #12), Chubby Chernobyl, 409 Yeager, Little Yellow Stone, Light Cahill, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis
Nymphs; Green Drake Nymph, Devil Jig, Blow Torch, HDA FAV Variant, Dirty Bird, Caddistrophic Pupa, Duracell Bomb, Hare's Ear, Copper John
Tributary Streams
Flows: ~ 30 - 75 cfs
Conditions: Tributary streams, especially at slightly higher elevations, are in prime form right now. Attractor dries and hopper droppers will be the name of the game on the tributary streams as they drop into summer form. Look for sporadic hatches of caddis, PMDs, and yellow sallies in the mornings and evenings.
Flies: Dry flies; Chubby Chernobyl, Swisher's Foam PMX, Amy's Ant, 409 Yeager, B/C Dropper Hopper, Hippie Stomper, Dave's Beetle, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, Light Cahill, Little Yellow Stone, Chubby Sally, Parachute Adams
Nymphs; Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Dirty Bird, Devil Jig, HDA FAV Variant, Blow Torch, Duracell Bomb
Alpine Lakes and Streams
Conditions: Alpine lakes and streams should provide anglers with a great option with the recent rising temperatures. Water temperatures will remain cooler at higher elevations and fish will continue to feed aggressively as they take advantage of the short growing season. Alpine lakes and streams can provide a great option for some surface action with attractor dries. Ants, beetles, small hoppers, and caddis patterns are good dry fly imitations to start prospecting with.
Flies: Amy's Ant, Dave's Beetle, CDC Ant, Hippie Stomper, 409 Yeager, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Copper John, Wolly Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Platte River Spider