North Platte River, CO Fishing Report

The North Platte is high and muddy and fishing has been tough. We expect the main river to get a good flush the next couple weeks. If your headed to the Platte throw big bright streamers towards the bank. Most fish will be find reprieve from the high dirty water by hanging around the boulders and cover near the banks.

Throw streamers in White, Yellow, Black, and Olive. Also try nymph fishing the deeper runs and pools including stoneflies, worms, and leeches. If the water is clear and temps aren't too bad look for the fish in riffles feeding on Blue Winged Olive's, stoneflies, and midges.

Bugs to look for: BWO's, Caddis, Black Stoneflies.

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Trico's, Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, Leeches, and Sunken Ants.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Pat's Rubber Leg (8-12) (Black, Golden, Olive), San Juan Worm (red, wine, purple, pink), Leeches (Black, wine), Copper Johns (12-18) (red, black, copper)..

Frozen

The North Platte is currently flowing at 83 cfs (10/31/2012) and is on the rise due to recent moisture. The weather has definitely started to change here and the fish are on the feed. The Platte right now is definitely not a numbers game but if you prepare yourself mentally to seek out and find large fish you could be well rewarded. Water temps are still good mid day (45-50 degrees), and the fishing window should last from 10am-4pm. Look for Blue Winged Olive's to be the bug of choice. For those sub-surface anglers nymph fishing is still productive right now. With lower flows the fish can be easily located and adjusting your depth and weight for every hole is crucial at this point. Try running a streamer through these holes as well, big browns could be posted up gorging on smaller fish in the deep holds. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

The North Platte is currently flowing at 27 cfs (9/25/2012) and is still fishing well. The weather has definitely started to change here and the fish are on the feed. With the water being low be prepared to work hard for fish, but also be prepared to sight fish for larger rainbows and browns. The Platte right now is definitely not a numbers game but if you prepare yourself mentally to seek out and find large fish you could be well rewarded. Water temps are still good early (50 degrees), and the fishing window, given a few clouds, should last throughout the day. Look for Blue Winged Olive's to be the bug of choice. For those sub-surface anglers nymph fishing is still productive right now. With lower flows the fish can be easily located and adjusting your depth and weight for every hole is crucial at this point. Try running a streamer through these holes as well, big browns could be posted up gorging on smaller fish in the deep holds. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

Bugs to look for: BWO's, Trico's, Caddis, Ants, Beetles.

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Trico's, Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, Leeches, and Sunken Ants.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Black RS2, Small Black CJ #18-20, BH Barr Emerger BWO, Bat Wing Emerger BWO, PH Tails, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #16-20, Barr's Tungstone #10-12, Copper John's #14-20
Droppers: BH Barr Emerger PMD #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Black RS-2 #18,20

The North Platte is good from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. Good Luck!

The North Platte is currently flowing at 75 cfs (9/5/2012) and is still fishing well. The weather has definitely started to change here and the fish are on the feed. With the water being low be prepared to work hard for fish, but also be prepared to sight fish for larger rainbows and browns. The Platte right now is definitely not a numbers game but if you prepare yourself mentally to seek out and find large fish you could be well rewarded. Water temps are still good early (50 degrees), and the fishing window, given a few clouds, should last throughout the day. The Trico action is yet to slow down and on an ideal day you will find yourself throwing tiny dries to pods of rising fish followed by sunken trico's in the riffles as the day warms. For those sub-surface anglers nymph fishing is still productive right now. With lower flows the fish can be easily located and adjusting your depth and weight for every hole is crucial at this point. Try running a streamer through these holes as well, big browns could be posted up gorging on smaller fish in the deep holds. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

Bugs to look for: Trico's, Caddis, PMD, Sulphurs, Ants, Beetles, Golden Stone's, BWO's.

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Trico's, Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, Leeches, and Sunken Ants.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Black RS2, Small Black CJ #18-20, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #16-20, Barr's Tungstone #10-12, Copper John's #14-20
Droppers: BH Barr Emerger PMD #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Black RS-2 #18,20

The North Platte is good from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. Good Luck!

The North Platte is currently flowing at 7 cfs (8/24/2012) and is extremely fishy! The weather has cool and cloudy lately with afternoon rains sending cool water down through the drainage's to join the Platte. Water temps are still good early (55 degrees), and should only get better as fall approaches. The Trico action is yet to slow down and on an ideal day you will find yourself throwing tiny dries to pods of rising fish followed by sunken trico's in the riffles as the day warms. For those sub-surface anglers nymph fishing is excellent right now. With lower flows the fish can be easily located and deep pools and runs are loaded with competitive hungry trout. Try running a streamer through these runs as well, big browns could be posted up gorging on smaller fish in the deep holds. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key. Finally, it's August and terrestrials are here. Royal patterns produce very well in the canyon as well as a variety of your favorite foamy's. A good tactic to try is to fish a set of riffles and boulders with the nymph, then turn and go back and start over in the same water with a single dry, what didn't take the nymph could be looking up.

The North Platte is currently flowing at 84 cfs (8/12/2012) and is extremely fishy! The weather has been dry lately but some rain has been hitting the park sending cool water down through the drainages to join the Platte. Water temps are still good early (55 degrees), and should only get better as fall approaches. The Trico action is yet to slow down and on an ideal day you will find yourself throwing tiny dries to pods of rising fish followed by sunken trico's in the riffles as the day warms. For those sub-surface anglers nymph fishing is excellent right now. With lower flows the fish can be easily located and deep pools and runs are loaded with competitive hungry trout. Try running a streamer through these runs as well, big browns could be posted up gorging on smaller fish in the deep holds. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key. Finally, it's August and terrestrials are here. Royal patterns produce very well in the canyon as well as a variety of your favorite foamy's. A good tactic to try is to fish a set of riffles and boulders with the nymph, then turn and go back and start over in the same water with a single dry, what didn't take the nymph could be looking up.

Bugs to look for: Trico's, Caddis, PMD, Sulphurs, Ants, Beetles, Golden Stone's, BWO's.

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Trico's, Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, Leeches, and Sunken Ants.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Black RS2, Small Black CJ #18-20, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #16-20, Barr's Tungstone #10-12, Copper John's #14-20, TH Caddis Pupa (14,16)
Droppers: BH Barr Emerger PMD #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Lafontaine Caddis Pupa, Caddis Poopah, Bubbleback PMD's

The North Platte is good from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. Good Luck!  

The North Platte is currently flowing at 96 cfs (8/08/2012) and is extremely fishy! The weather has been dry lately and the river is dropping. Water temps are still good early (58 degrees) and the Trico action is yet to slow down. Look for the best fishing to be in the faster moving water. The Platte is fishing very good and will only get better as we near the end of the month. Trico people, be on the water early and look for the sippers in the long flats, we have had excellent reports of nice fish on the dry. For those sub-surface anglers nymph rigs fished in the dark depressions and in the fastest water have been good. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

Bugs to look for: Trico's, Caddis, PMD, Sulphurs, Yellow Sally's, Golden Stone's, Blue Wing's coming soon...

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Trico's, Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, and Leeches.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Black RS2, Small Black CJ #18-20, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #16-20, Barr's Tungstone #10-12, Copper John's #14-20, TH Caddis Pupa (14,16)
Droppers: BH Barr Emerger PMD #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Lafontaine Caddis Pupa, Caddis Poopah, Bubbleback PMD's

The North Platte is good from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. Good Luck!
 

The North Platte is currently flowing at 167 cfs and holding due to some recent rains. We expect the river to come down around 100-135cfs and hold strong. As far as the fishing goes, it is excellent and Tricos are on the menu! What anglers need to realize this time of year with low flows is that fishing windows are short, but can be absolutely epic. Because the fish have such short windows to feed before water temps shut them off, fish are gorging when temps are right, mainly in the a.m. hours. Right now it is not uncommon to hook many fish in only a couple hours, with that being said fishing will also shut off when temps reach 68 and above. Trico people, be on the water early and look for the sippers in the long flats, we have had excellent reports of nice fish on the dry. For those sub-surface anglers nymph rigs fished in the dark depressions and in the fastest water have been good. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

Bugs to look for: Trico's, Caddis, PMD, Sulphurs, Yellow Sally's, Golden Stone's

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Trico's, Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, and Leeches.

The North Platte is currently flowing above 100 cfs and is slowly dropping. This is an excellent level for wade fishing. The best fishing windows are early and late. Look for good action from daylight until 2pm then again from 5pm to dark. Right now the angler has the advantage and can throw a variety of bugs to these fish with great success. For the dry fly angler trout are looking for Trico's, Caddis, PMD's, and Yellow Sallies. Each day from 7am to 1pm you have the opportunity to see these hatches. For those sub-surface anglers nymph rigs fished in the dark depressions and in the fastest water have been good. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

Bugs to look for: Trico's, Caddis, PMD, Green Drakes, Sulphurs, Yellow Sally's, Golden Stone's

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, and Leeches.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Black RS2, Small Black CJ #18-20, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #16-20, Barr's Tungstone #10-12, Copper John's #14-20, TH Caddis Pupa (14,16)
Droppers: BH Barr Emerger PMD #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Lafontaine Caddis Pupa, Caddis Poopah, Bubbleback PMD's

The North Platte is good from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. Good Luck!

The North Platte continues to produce great hatches, the Salmon flies are gone but daily Caddis, PMD, and Yellow Sally's are tempting fish to look up. The best fishing will take place early in the day from 8am to 3pm then again in the evening from 5pm to dark thirty. With local ranchers still irrigating the water temps warm up dramatically in the afternoons slowing down the action.  

The North Platte is currently flowing at 280 cfs and after coming back down from recent rains has leveled out. This is an excellent level for wade fishing and currently fishing couldn't be better in the canyon. Right now the angler has the advantage and can throw a variety of bugs to these fish with great success. For the dry fly angler trout are still taking Salmon Flies and recent reports of good caddis hatches have some larger fish looking up. As the weather warms keep an eye out for PMD's and Yellow Sallies, we are seeing bugs early this year and these guys could be coming soon. For those sub-surface anglers nymph rigs fished in the dark depressions and in the fastest water have been good. Use a lot of weight when fishing fast water to help get your flies in the zone where the fish are lying. Often times fish will be in the heaviest currents feeding aggressively so getting down to them quick is key.

Bugs to look for: Salmon Flies, Blue Winged Olive's, Golden Stone's, Black Stone's, and Caddis.

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, and Leeches.

Nymph Rigs:
Point Flies: Black Wooly Bugger #6-8, BH Twenty Incher #8-12, BH Haden Stone #12, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #12-14, Pat's Rubberleg #8-10, Barr's Tungstone #10-12, Copper John's #14-18, TH Caddis Pupa (14,16)
Droppers: BH Barr Emerger #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Batwing Emerger #18, Loop Wing Emerger BWO #18.

The North Platte is open from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. The canyon stretches are all accessible with dry roads, but be careful on some as rain can muddy them up very quickly. It's very rare to get the opportunity to wade fish the canyon in May so get up here and give it a shot... Good Luck!
 

The flows on the North Fork dropped from yesterday. This morning the cfs is at 1690. Fishing west of Newton Creek should be good through Memorial Day weekend thanks to the cold, winter like weather we have right now.

The North Platte is currently flowing right around 321 CFS. This is a perfect level for wade fishing. Blue Wing Olive's, Black Stoneflies, and Caddis, are all coming off and soon we should start to see active salmon fly nymphs with the Salmon fly hatch towards the end of May. Dry fly fishing continues to pick up with sporadic hatches. The best rigs have been 2 fly nymph rigs fished 2 to 5 feet deep. Look for fish in the head of riffles during the day and concentrate your flies in the white oxygenated water. In the evening fish have been laying in long flats sipping bugs off the surface.

The North Platte is Wide open. Currently flowing between 300-350 CFS. The river is a bit high but is coming down after the recent snow/rain. We expect the river to plain out around 300-350 cfs which is a great wade fishing level. Blue Wing Olive's, Black Stoneflies, and Caddis, are all coming off and soon we should start to see active salmon fly nymphs with the Salmon fly hatch towards the end of May. Dry fly fishing though infrequent has been good. The best rigs have been 2 fly nymph rigs. Look for fish in the head of riffles during the day and through out any of the hatches. In the evening fish have been laying in long flats sipping bugs off the surface.

This time of year fishing will be best late morning through early afternoon. There is no need to be on the water at daylight. Look for fish in the slower deeper water earlier in the day. As the water temps rise above 48 degrees, the fish should move into feeding lanes located in riffles or to the sides of big boulders. It's a good idea to carry a stream thermometer with you on the river. If the water temps are above 48 degrees look for the fish to be moving into those feeding areas.

The North Platte is Wide open. Currently flowing between 420 CFS. The river is a bit high but is coming down after the recent rains. We expect the river to plain out around 300-350 cfs which is a great wade fishing level. Blue Wing Olive's, Black Stoneflies, and Caddis, are all coming off and soon we should start to see active salmon fly nymophs. Dry fly fishing though infrequent has been good. The best rigs have been 2 fly nymph rigs. Look for fish in the head of riffles during the day and through out any of the hatches. In the evening fish have been laying in long flats sipping bugs off the surface.

Nymphing almost exclusively

Midges, cranefly larva. orange scuds, black Zebra Midge. We've had some reports of big fish being caught, and fishing is good.

The North Platte is Wide open. Currently flowing between 200-225 CFS. That's a wonderful level for wade fishing. Blue Wing Olive's, Black Stoneflies, and Caddis, are all coming off. Dry fly fishing though infrequent has been good. The best rigs have been 2 fly nymph rigs. Look for fish in the head of riffles during the day and throughout any of the hatches. In the evening fish have been laying in long flats sipping bugs off the surface.

This time of year fishing will be best late morning through early afternoon. There is no need to be on the water at daylight. Look for fish in the slower deeper water earlier in the day. As the water temps rise, the fish should move into feeding lanes located in riffles or to the sides of big boulders. It's a good idea to carry a stream thermometer with you on the river. If the water temps are above 45 degrees look for the fish to be moving into those feeding areas.

Bugs to look for: Midges, Blue Winged Olive's, Golden Stone's, Black Stone's, and Caddis. Lately, Black Stoneflies and Blue Winged Olive's have been coming off daily.

Streamer rigs should include: Zuddler's, Tequeely's, Platte River Special, White Lightning, and Lemon Drops. Nymph rigs should include Stone's, Worms, Hare's Ears, PT's, Zebra Midges, and Leeches.

Nymph Rigs:

Point Flies: BH Twenty Incher #8-12, BH Haden Stone #12, BH Prince Nymph #12-14, Hares Ear #12-14, Pat's Rubberleg #8-10

Droppers: BH Barr Emerger #16-18, BH Zebra Midge #18-20, BH FB PH Tail #16-20, Batwing Emerger #18, Loop Wing Emerger BWO #18, and San Juan Worms in Red, Pink, and Purple.

The North Platte is open from Verner/ Brownlee, Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and all of the way to Saratoga. The canyon stretches are all accessible with dry roads. Some of the trails might have snow on them but shouldn't be too bad. It's very rare to get the opportunity to fish the canyon in April so get up here and give it a shot... Good Luck!

The North Platte is Wide open. Fishing is slow but getting better by the day. Streamer Patterns will be the ticket early but soon we should see Midges and Blue Winged Olive's. The North Platte is open at Routt, 6 Mile, Bennett Peak, and the rest of the way to Saratoga.

The North Platte is just starting to break open. There is still a lot of ice and the river is un fish-able. We expect the river to be open and fishing by April 1st.