Fishing Report
July 7th, 2026
Welcome to the North Park Anglers’ fishing report!
For more detailed information about our fisheries, please read further. If you have any questions, feel free to call the shop at 970-723-4215.
Meadow Streams:
The tributaries have been dropping over the last couple of days due to the recent heat, they are low for this time of year, but still fishable. With the lower flows, fish are a bit spookier and tougher to approach, but the fishing remains very good. Running a dry dropper with a Big Foam Pattern up top, trailed a couple feet by Stoneflies, Worms, and Caddis nymphs, has been the go-to. Streamer fishing has also been putting some solid fish in the net. On calm days, we’ve seen fish sporadically eating Caddis, PMDs, Sallies, and some drakes on the surface, along with the occasional terrestrial.
Meadow Stream Flows: Michigan and Illinois River flows
North Platte
(Canyon Section)
The Platte in the canyon is running around 100 cfs. Fishing is pretty good right now and getting better by the day. Dry/dropper rigs with Big Chubby terrestrials trailing a Olive Pat’s 2-3 feet below, have been best. However, caddis nymphs, PMDs, and yellow sally nymphs are also getting it done. Streamers are also working well early and late in the day. There have also been good hatches of Caddis, Sallies, Tricos, and PMD mayflies in the morning as well. We expect the flows to continue to drop until the weather warms and more snow starts to melt. Water temps are starting to get into the upper 60’s in the afternoons, so keep a close eye on the temps as you fish.
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
(Valley Section)
The Platte in the valley is lower than in the canyon, but is still fishing well around Verner SWA. With low flows, running a dry dropper with Leeches, Stoneflies, worms, and caddis has been the most productive, and streamer fishing has also produced some solid fish. Fish have also been taking Caddis, Sallies, Tricos, and some stones on the surface when the wind isn’t blowing. Water temps are starting to get into the upper 60’s in the afternoons, so keep a close eye on the temps as you fish.
Note* The valley section is upstream of where the North Fork of the North Platte, Michigan, and Illinois Rivers dump into the Platte. The gauge we monitor at North Gate, from which we report flows, will always read slightly higher than the reading at the valley section.
FYI: North Platte Flows in North Gate Canyon (Routt Access to Pickeroon)
0-750 CFS Good Wade fishing level
500-4000 Good Float/ Fishing Level
4000 and above is best for Whitewater
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
Delaney Buttes, Lake John, and Cowdrey Lake
The fish have started moving deeper with the warm weather. The Chironomid hatch is in full swing on the lakes! Deep nymphing is the name of the game right now, with the most consistent producer being chironomids in 12-22 feet of water. We’ve seen fish still sporadically eating leeches and baitfish under the bobber, and stripping Crayfish patterns early and late at first light and last light has been producing a few nice fish.
High Country Lakes and Streams
Currently, all the larger high-country lakes, such as Big Creek, Chambers, and Joe Wright, are open. Fishing is generally pretty good early in the season.
NPA Fly Shop Hours 2026
May – September 2026
7 am-5 pm Daily
