Fishing Report July 29, 2010

Recent Cloud Cover and thunderstorms are just what we needed. Today the Platte jumped up to 325 cfs and should come down and hold around 250 cfs. Fishing continues to be best early and late with warmer water temps. Local ranchers are now cutting hay and have shut off most ditches. The tributaries all have good water and are fishing good. Look for fish to feed hard from 8am-noon and again from 7-10pm at night. Mice, Hoppers, Ants, Beetle's, and Trico's will be the name of the game in the coming weeks but for now Yellow Sallies, PMD's, and Caddis are the main fare.
The Delaney Butte's and area Sagebrush Lakes are fishing very well. The Callibaetis and Chironomid hatches are holding strong during the typical 10-2 window. The night fishing is very good right now....

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Whether your a lake or stream angler the conditions here in the Park are good for everyone... Time to get up here and fish!!!!

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SAGEBRUSH LAKES
The Lakes are fishing good. Callibaetis and Chironomids are the ticket from 10-2, Damsels and Scuds have also taken a few fish during this time frame. Look for fish in 10-12 foot of water and slowly moving up during the hatch. Most fish will be cruising the shoreline looking for Damsels swimming towards the shore to hatch. It is best to fish from shore and hunt for cruisers.
Night fishing is very good right now. The crayfish are molting. When they go through this their shells are very soft. The fish know this and like it. Look for the crayfish to be close to shore after dark. The best has been the twighlight hours of sunset and/or sunrise. Big Streamer patterns stripped a foot or two off the bottom. Use 0-2x leaders and be prepared for a Big Strike...

Hot Flies: Anatomical Callibaetis, Mercers Poxyback Callibaetis, Hare's Ear, RL Copper Johns, Gilled Nymphs (Sizes 12-16), Chironocones, NPA Chironomid, etc.

Stripping Streamers and Crayfish in the afternoon into the late hours of the night, typically wait until the sun goes behind the mountains. (Brown Rubber Bugger #4)

Right now the bite seems to be best from about 10 am until 1 o'clock. The afternoons have been a little slower but still consistent. South and East have been producing some numbers along with the occasional 20"+ fish. North is the place to be for size. You may not have as much action as the other lakes but fish the time frames given above and you should be rewarded.

Damsels are here, and many people are reporting some success stripping damsel nymphs as well as nymphing them during peak times.

NORTH PLATTE
The North Platte is currently running around 325 CFS but should come down and hover in the mid to high 200's. Afternoon thunderstorms and rains have helped flows and temps. The river is at a great level. The canyon is fishing good and will get better as flows come down. Good hatches of PMD's, Golden Stone's, Yellow Sallies, and Caddis are coming off. Look for Hopper's and Trico's to be the name of the game soon. Fishing will continue to be best early and late in the day with warmer water temps. Soon we start getting cold night and the hatches will shift towards mid day.

Wade Access along the North Platte in the Canyon 0-500 CFS (Best)
Float Access along the North Platte in the Canyon 500-2500 CFS (Best)

We will keep updating the report as things change.

NPA Recommended flies: Foam Hoppers #10, Flexi-Girdle Bug (#6-10) Golden Stone's (#8-12) Twenty Incher's (#8-12) Caddis Pupa's (#12-14) Hare's Ears (#14-16)

NORTH PARK MEADOW STREAMS
The water is nice and clear and fish are tucked in the willows during peak hot hours. Mornings and evenings are your best chance right now at a toad. Leeches, worms, and crayfish, are all available along with hoppers. The ticket to these streams will be big flies and covering water. Also, get out the big dry's as hopper season is here! Try to cover each hole from top to bottom then jump to the next. Make sure to walk softly. Fish the runs with big dry's first before throwing the meat, you could be rewarded. The fish will see, hear, or feel you coming and split. Be Stealth!!!


Foam Hoppers #10, Bite-Me-Buggers(4-6), Beldar Buggers(6), BH N. Fork Stones(12-14), San Juans, Hale Bopp Leeches(8-10) Yellow Zuddlers (2-4) Orange Blossom Special (2-6)

HEADWATER STREAMS & HIGH LAKES
The High country lakes are all accessible. The month of August should provide Awesome terrestrial fishing in the high country. Rainbow Lakes, Big Creek, Joe Wright, Chambers, Lake Agnes, and Blue Lake just to name a few. The fish are generally less picky in the high country. Attractor dry flies, terrestrial's, and streamers seem to be the best.
If the fish aren't very active on top try using a two fly nymph rig under an indicator. Scuds, Hare's ears, PH Tails, and midges should all fool a few fish. This is also a great technique while the lake is calm. Many of the fish will stay deep in high sun or calm conditions. This rig will allows you to present the fly in deep water without frogging the surface with repetitive casting.
When and if the wind picks up this is your opportunity to put a streamer on and cover water. In choppy conditions you can make a bunch of cast without spooking fish. The fish will be cruising chasing food with the cover of the chopped water. They will generally be more aggressive during these times. Also try Ants, Beetle's, Spiders, and Bee patterns during windy conditions near any wooded area. The wind will blow these bugs in the water and the fish know it. You can bet the fish will cruse those areas when the wind is up...

Syn-Tukas (4-6), Articulated Leech(4), Black Zuddler (4, 8) Black Gnat #12, Ant #14, Bumble Bee #14