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Executive Angler

Hatch-chart pattern list

Best Flies for North Fork Shoshone River (Wyoming)

The North Fork Shoshone River in Wyoming fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a freestone fishery for Rainbow Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, with the most reliable window in July, August, September. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.

This is not a live report of other anglers' catches. Presence and flow live on the North Fork Shoshone River river page and the Wyoming destination guide.

What's hatching now

Month, insect, size, and pattern from the North Fork Shoshone River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.

MonthInsectSizePattern
JanuaryMidge (Chironomidae)#20-24Zebra Midge
FebruaryMidge (Chironomidae)#20-24Griffith's Gnat
MarchMidge (Chironomidae)#18-22Zebra Midge
AprilBlue-winged Olive#16-18BWO Sparkle Dun
MayRunoff (high, off-color water)n/an/a
JuneSalmonfly (Pteronarcys)#4-8Sofa Pillow
Golden Stonefly#6-10Golden Stone
JulyPale Morning Dun#16-18PMD Sparkle Dun
Caddis#14-16Elk Hair Caddis
AugustGrasshopper (Terrestrial)#8-12Dave's Hopper
Caddis#14-16Elk Hair Caddis
SeptemberBlue-winged Olive#18-20Parachute BWO
Grasshopper (Terrestrial)#8-12Dave's Hopper
OctoberBlue-winged Olive#18-20BWO Sparkle Dun
NovemberMidge (Chironomidae)#20-24Zebra Midge
DecemberMidge (Chironomidae)#20-24Griffith's Gnat

Nymphs

Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.

Dries

Dries and terrestrials for the North Fork Shoshone River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.

Streamers

Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.

No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.

Setup

4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.

FAQ

What flies work on the North Fork Shoshone River?
Start with Zebra Midge and Griffith's Gnat, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The North Fork Shoshone River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
When is the best time to fly fish the North Fork Shoshone River?
The editorial window we list is July, August, September. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
Do I need a guide on the North Fork Shoshone River?
Wyoming has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
Where can I see live flow for the North Fork Shoshone River?
Open the North Fork Shoshone River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
Is this a report of what's working now on the North Fork Shoshone River?
No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.

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