Hatch-chart pattern list

Best Flies for North Platte River (Wyoming) (Wyoming)

The North Platte River (Wyoming) in Wyoming fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a tailwater fishery for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in March, April, May. 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 Platte River (Wyoming) river page and the Wyoming destination guide.

What's hatching now

Month, insect, size, and pattern from the North Platte River (Wyoming) 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
MarchMidges#18-24Zebra Midge, Mercury Midge, Griffith's Gnat
Blue-winged Olive#18-20Parachute BWO, RS2
MayPale Morning Dun#14-18PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Cripple
Caddis#14-16Elk Hair Caddis, Peacock Caddis
OctoberBlue-winged Olive#16-20Parachute BWO, RS2, Sparkle Dun
Midges#20-24Zebra Midge, Griffith'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 Platte River (Wyoming). 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

5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. Start lighter than your home river. One small tungsten and a long tag often beats a 3.5mm bead in clear 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 Platte River (Wyoming)?
Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and Midge Larva, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The North Platte River (Wyoming) 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 Platte River (Wyoming)?
The editorial window we list is March, April, May, June, September, October, November. 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 Platte River (Wyoming)?
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 Platte River (Wyoming)?
Open the North Platte River (Wyoming) 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 Platte River (Wyoming)?
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.

Related