Fall weather is starting to arrive and we should be seeing some improved fishing conditions with the cooler weather. The Platte, Laramie River, and tributary streams remain day-to-day in terms of fishing conditions with lower water and climbing afternoon water temperatures. Rain has created some poor visibility on the Platte and Laramie and made for slower fishing at times. High country lakes and streams remain the best option, but look for our local rivers and tributaries to start picking up as fish go into fall feed mode.
Upper North Platte
Flows: ~ 150 cfs
Conditions: Variable water conditions depending on rain. Fishing outside of periods of rain when flows are dropping has provided the best fishing lately. Caddis, PMDs, some remaining tricos and hoppers will dominate dry fly selections. Caddis and stonefly nymph patterns such as the Blow Torch, Rubber Legs, 20 Incher, and Hare's Ear should make up nymph selections for a hopper dropper or two-nymph rig. Look for fish to start becoming aggressive as they begin bulking up with the cooler weather - streamers such as the Sculpzilla, Slumpbuster, Mini Dungeon, and Tequeely should be effective patterns for targeting larger fish, especially in the mornings and evenings.
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: ~ 25 cfs
Conditions: Low and clear. Fishing is a bit more technical with lower flows, so anglers may want to err towards longer leaders and smaller tippet. Caddis should be coming off sporadically throughout the day. Stonefly and caddis nymph patterns will be effective this time of year. Streamers should start coming into play as well as fish become more aggressive in the cooler weather.
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: ~ 15 - 55 cfs
Conditions: Most tributary streams are running low and clear right now and will require a little extra stealth and delicate presentations to find fish.
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. Fishing should only improve with cold weather setting in as high country trout will be scrambling to bulk up for the long winter ahead.
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