Trip brief · North Platte River (Northgate Canyon)
How to go fish the North Platte River (Northgate Canyon)
The months we list for the North Platte River (Northgate Canyon) are May, June, July, August, September. October is outside that window, so this brief is written for May, the next month we list.
May
Reading the gauge…
Flies to tie — May
Salmonfly#6-14
Rubberleg Stimulator, Beadhead 20 Incher
Caddis (Trichoptera)#10-20
CDC Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger
Blue-Winged Olive#16-24
Parachute BWO
Access
Routt Access Parking Lot (Northgate Canyon)
40.952, -106.343parking
Verner State Wildlife Area
40.715, -106.403parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
North Platte River, Jackson County. Gold Medal: from the southern boundary of the Routt National Forest downstream to Wyoming (Northgate Canyon). Artificial flies and lures only. Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. Within Brownlee II or Verner State Wildlife Areas, upstream in North Park: artificial flies and lures only, bag and possession limit for trout is 2. Access on state wildlife areas limited to the stream corridor. Colorado fishing license required for anglers 16 and older; a Wyoming license is also required if fishing or floating across the state line. Verify the current Colorado Fishing Brochure for exact boundaries.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the North Platte River (Northgate Canyon) page →