Fly Fishing Stream Conditions Report: North Platte - Gray Reef

This year: Current streamflows at Gray Reef are holding steady at a good rate of 500 CFS, providing excellent conditions for late-season fishing. Anglers can expect highly productive sessions as fish remain active in the stable flows. Nymphing is currently the most productive method, especially with great hatches of Tricos, midges, Blue Wing Olives, and a few caddis on the water. If you want to switch things up, try slow stripping a leech or crayfish imitation down deep, or throw large articulated patterns near structure in slower water. Keep a Pine Squirrel Leech, Mayhem Midge, and Sparkle Dun ready in your box to match the active bugs and predatory feeding habits.

Prior years: The North Platte River at Gray Reef is fishing well, with overall fishing quality ranging from good to great. Flows have been observed at 1500 CFS earlier in the month, dropping to a good level of 500 CFS later in the month. Clarity is excellent, noted at a 9/10 from the dam down, though some floating grass and vegetation are present in the system, especially up top. Anglers are finding success across all three major techniques: nymphing, dry fly, and streamer fishing, which is starting to amp up. Nymphing remains highly productive using caddis, midge, PMD, leech, and annelid patterns. For those looking for dry fly action, look for rising fish in the mornings targeted on tricos, and search for caddis-feeding fish during the evening hours.