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Fishing Report - 8/1/23

Andrew O'Neill

With increasing daytime temperatures, the North Platte and some of the bigger, lower elevation tributaries have been getting a little warm by the afternoon. Higher elevation tributary streams and alpine lakes have been fishing a bit better and should be a good option for anglers as afternoon water temperatures on the Platte and Laramie Rivers have been rising up over 68 degrees.


Anglers fishing the North Platte, Big Laramie and lower elevation tributaries should focus their efforts on the early part of the day for the best fishing. Carry a stream thermometer and keep an eye on water temps if you fish later into the day; fish become lethargic and significantly decrease feeding activity as water temperatures rise up over 65-66 degrees, and mortality increases considerably when releasing fish in water temperatures over 68 degrees.


This is a great time of year to explore the many alpine lakes and streams throughout the Snowy and Sierra Madre Ranges. Water temperatures will remain cooler at higher elevations and fish will be feeding much more actively.



Upper North Platte

Flows: ~ 250 cfs


Conditions: Increasing afternoon water temperatures, rising over 68 degrees by mid-afternoon. Focus fishing efforts on the Upper Platte to the early morning hours for the best results. Caddis and PMDs are around and hatching sporadically throughout the day. Fish should be keyed into the Trico hatch and subsequent spinner fall early in the morning, and that will most likely be the best option for solid dry fly action on the Upper Platte at this point in the season.


Flies: Dry flies; Chubby Trico Spinner, Parachute Adams, Griffith's Gnat, Light Cahill, Elk Hair, Stimulator, Amy's Ant, Hippie Stomper


Nymphs; WD 40, Juju Baetis, Blow Torch, 307 Nymph, Psycho Prince, Prince Nymph, HDA FAV, Caddistrophic Pupa, Devil Jig, 20 Incher, Tim's Stone, Rubber Legs


Streamers: Slumpbuster, Tequeely, Platte River Spider, Wolly Bugger, Sculpzilla



Laramie River

Flows: ~ 50 cfs


Conditions: The Laramie has been a little on the low side and getting warm in the afternoon. Anglers should focus their efforts to fishing dry-dropper rigs during the early morning hours before water temperatures start rising above 65 degrees.


Flies: Dry flies; Stimulator, Little Yellow Stone, Amy's Ant, 409 Yeager, Elk Hair Caddis, Light Cahill, Humpy, Para Adams, Chubby Chernobyl, B/C Dropper Hopper


Nymphs; Rubber Legs, Restless Stone, CDC Stone, 20 Incher, Blow Torch, Caddistrophic Pupa, 307 Nymph, Psycho Prince, HDA FAV, Scuds


Streamers; Tequeely, Sculpzilla, Slumpbuster, Baby Gonga, GB Crystal Bugger, Platte River Spider, Pine Squirrel



Tributary Streams

Flows: ~ 25 - 75 cfs


Conditions: Higher elevation tributary streams have been remaining clear and cool for the most part and have been fishing well. Fish are becoming slightly more finicky and spooky with reduced flows, so being stealthy and fishing smaller flies and leaders will be beneficial.


Flies: Dry flies; Amy's Ant, 409 Yeager, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, Parachute Adams, Light Cahill


Nymphs; Devil Jig, Blow Torch, HDA FAV, Psycho Prince, Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Copper John, Caddistrophic Pupa, CDC Stone, 20 Incher, San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy


Streamers: Slumpbuster, GB Crystal Bugger, Wolly Bugger, Pine Squirrel, Platte River Spider



Alpine Lakes

Conditions: Now is an excellent time to hit the high country. All alpine lakes throughout the Snowy Range are accessible and have been fishing fair to excellent.


Flies: Streamers; GB Crystal Bugger, Wolly Bugger, Slumpbuster, Pine Squirrel


Dry flies; Amy's Ant, Dave's Beetle, Hippie Stomper, CDC Ant, 409 Yeager, CDC Ant, Hippie Stomper


Nymphs; Hare's Ear, Psycho Prince, Bat Wing Emerger, Brassie, Biot Midge Emerger, Scuds, Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Juju Baetis

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