Fishing Report - 7/2/26

Most of our local rivers and tributaries have come into mid-summer form already and we are seeing low flows and increasing afternoon water temperatures. The best fishing will be found on the main branches of the Laramie and Platte rivers early in the day, as well as on higher elevation tributary streams where water temperatures will stay below that 68-70 degree threshold later into the day. Alpine lakes and streams will be an excellent option over the next couple of weeks as we are still seeing the tail end of runoff up high on small streams and fish will be taking advantage of the feeding window in Snowy Range alpine lakes. The high country should provide some of the best dry fly action as we move into the hotter days of July.

Upper North Platte

Flows: ~ 120 cfs (Northgate)

Conditions: The Platte is still seeing some pretty decent flows and anglers will find consistent fishing with hatches of caddis and PMDs throughout the morning hours. We are seeing water temperatures start get pretty high by the afternoon hours already, so concentrating your fishing time earlier in the day will yield the best results.

Flies: Dries; Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Humpy, Amy's Ant, Light Cahill, Blue Wing, Elk Caddis, Para Adams, Humpy, B/C Hopper Dropper, 409 Yeager

Nymphs; Pat's Rubber Legs, Caddis Larva, Blowtorch, Guide's Choice Hare's Ear, Copper John, Duracell Bomb, Pheasant Tail, 307 Nymph, Prince Nymph, 20 Incher

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

Laramie River

Flows: ~ 30 cfs (Woods Landing, WY)

Conditions: The Laramie is in similar condition to the Platte, however flows are getting quite low already. We are also seeing increasing afternoon water temperatures as far upstream as Woods Landing, so concentrating your fishing time to the morning hours will be the most productive.

Flies: Dries; Blue Wing, Light Cahill, Stimulator, Humpy, Amy's Ant, Foam PMX, Chubby Chernobyl, 409 Yeager, Humpy, Little Yellow Stone

Nymphs; 20 Incher, Pat's Rubber Legs, Tim's Stone, Blow Torch, Prince Nymph, Copper John, 307 Nymph, Psycho Prince, Hare's Ear

Streamers; Slumpbuster, Wolly Bugger, Platte Spider, Tequeely, Stacked Blonde, Zoo Cougar

Tributary Streams

Flows: ~ 15-50 cfs

Conditions: Higher elevation tributary streams will provide some relief from the heat and better fishing into the afternoons than the main branches at this point in the season. Hopper dropper rigs are the ticket right now and we have been downsizing our flies just a bit in the lower flows.

Flies: Dries; Stimulator, Humpy, Elk Caddis, Para Adams, Amy's Ant, Dave's Beetle, Chubby Chernobyl, Swisher's PMX

Nymphs; Psycho Prince, Prince Nymph, Copper John, 307 Nymph, 20 Incher, Rubber Legs, Blow Torch, Hare's Ear

Streamers; Thin Mint, Wolly Bugger, Platte River Spider, Tequeely, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel, Dirty Hippie, Baby Gonga

Alpine Lakes and Streams

Conditions: The Snowy Range high country should provide a great option for some of the best dry fly action as flows continue to drop and water temperatures continue to rise at lower elevations. Alpine streams, especially those above 9,500' in elevation.

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