North Platte River | Colorado Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

Keep an eye on water temperatures to protect the fish and your sanity. Temps have been getting into the 70's on warmer days, so make sure to watch the temps throughout the day. Target rising fish! Look for the best fishing to take place early and into the late morning.

Fishing Report Last Updated:

8 / 13 / 2018

Fishing Conditions

Fly Fishing North Platte River is currently Good

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:
North Park Anglers

Water flow: 88

Visibility: 36 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 66 Degrees F

Water condition: Clear

Best time of day to fish: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 6PM to Dark

Best stretch: North Gate Canyon

Best access point: Routt, Six Mile Gap, Prospect Creek, Douglas Creek

Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:

Tricos, BWO's, Caddis, PMD's, Golden Stone, Green Drake, Grey Drake, Yellow Sally, Craneflies, Dragon Flies

Fish species: Trout

Fishing season: April-November

Nearest airport: Jackson County in Walden... Hayden near Steamboat Springs, CO.

Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader

Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet

Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod

Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line

Best sinking fly line: Streamer Stripper Sink Tip Fly Line

Fly Name:	Fly Color:	Fly Size(s):
Stimulator	Tan/ Royal	4-6
TH 20 Incher	Nat	10-12
Bead Head Prince	Natural	12-16
Bead Head Stonefly	Golden	10-12
Indicator Spinner - Trico	Black	18-22
Pale Morning Dun Thorax	PMD	12-14

TH Thin Mint	Black	8-10
Barr Emerger pmd	PMD	16-18
HAD FAD Jigged Nymph	Hare's Ear	14-16
Gold Ribbed Bead Head Hares Ear	Hares Ear	14-20

Techniques & Tips

Fishing early and late in the day has been the most productive. The hatches have been starting regularly around 8 - 8:30AM with Trico's BWO's and Caddis. Fish have been looking up pretty steadily on these hatches from the time they begin til around noon. While out on the river it would be best to be rigged up with a hopper dropper setup with a size 10, 12, or 14 hopper of your choice with a hare's ear or pheasant tail variation in size 14 or 16. Once fish start rising, you will have a good opportunity to work on your dry fly fishing. Trico and Blue Wing spinners and cripples have been working well. Good Luck!

7-Day Forecast

Over the next week we expect to see some cloudy days with highs in the mid 70's to low 80's, with a few days of scattered thunderstorms. Rain could bring cooler temperatures and higher flows which could really amp up the fishing. Fish on!