North Platte River
river in Wyoming
The North Platte in central Wyoming includes the Miracle Mile below Alcova and the tailwater sections around Gray Reef, offering consistent hatches, good public access, and a mix of trophy and catchable trout. Anglers fish wade and float in these reaches, with summer caddis and PMD seasons particularly good.
What's working on North Platte River
- 01Active October Caddis and Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are providing consistent dry fly action.
- 02Terrestrial activity, including hoppers and beetles, is still strong, drawing surface strikes.
- 03Nymphing remains highly productive, with trout keying on baetis, caddis, and midges subsurface.
- 04Streamer fishing with leech and baitfish patterns is effective for enticing larger, aggressive trout.
- 05Excellent water clarity and low flows enhance wading and sight-fishing opportunities.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis hatches are active now, making this a prime dry fly for the North Platte River.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
BWO hatches are active in fall on the North Platte, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Black/Olive)
Leeches are a consistent food source in the North Platte River year-round and are highly effective in cold fall water for aggressive trout.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are crucial during fall hatches on the North Platte, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from selective trout.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity can still be strong in early fall, and hoppers are a substantial food source for trout along the grassy banks of the North Platte.
Beetle
Terrestrial beetles are still active in early fall and provide surface feeding opportunities for trout on the North Platte River.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A versatile searching nymph that imitates various active aquatic insects, excellent for the consistent nymph fishery of the North Platte River.
Zebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters like the North Platte year-round, effective in cold, low flows for selective trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Gray Reef Tailwater
Reputed tailwater stretch below Gray Reef Reservoir with steady flows and large trout in tailrace and riffles.
Guernsey State Park Access
Multiple public access points and boat ramps with productive shore and float fishing upstream and downstream.
Miracle Mile (Alcova)
Short but highly productive freestone run below Alcova Reservoir with prolific hatches and accessible wading.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Ugly Bug Fly Shop
Platte River Guide
Wyoming Anglers
Crazy Rainbow Fly Fishing
Get North Platte River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Wyoming season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Quick answers
Common questions about North Platte River.
What flies work best on North Platte River?
Our top scored fly patterns for North Platte River right now are October Caddis (Dry) (100% confidence), Yellow Sally (100% confidence), Elk Hair Caddis (100% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in North Platte River?
North Platte River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on North Platte River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for North Platte River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is North Platte River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for North Platte River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.