Fishing Report
North Park Anglers Fishing Report
July 29, 2026
Welcome to the North Park Anglers Fishing Report!
Current Conditions at a Glance
Overall Fishing: Good, with conditions varying by fishery
Best Fishing Window: Early morning through late morning
Rivers & Streams: Low, warm, and increasingly technical
North Platte: Warm-water concerns — monitor temperatures closely
Meadow Streams: Low but fishable early; stealth and careful presentations are key
Delaney Buttes, Lake John & Cowdrey: Good — focus on deeper water during the day
High-Country Lakes: Excellent — one of the best options right now
Dry-Fly Fishing: Best early and late with terrestrials, caddis, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and Tricos
Best Lake Tactics: Chironomids, leeches, crayfish, baitfish, and terrestrials
Best River Tactics: Dry-dropper rigs, small dries, attractor nymphs, and early-morning streamers
⚠ Important Warm-Water Reminder
Water temperatures on many of our rivers and streams are reaching 70°F by late morning or afternoon. Get out early, carry a thermometer, and once water temperatures approach 70°F, give the fish a break and head for the lakes or call it a day. Thanks for your cooperation!
We’ve officially entered the dog days of summer here in North Park, but thankfully, we received some much-needed moisture last week, with more chances of rain in the forecast. While our rivers and streams remain low and warm, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy some great fishing.
The North Platte through the canyon currently has the best flows in the area, although elevated water temperatures continue to be a concern. Our smaller tributaries are getting more challenging, and success right now comes down to stealth, longer casts, and careful presentations.
With the warm weather, early mornings are the name of the game. We’ve been getting on the water early and calling it a day by noon—or sooner when water temperatures approach 70°F.
Our lakes continue to be a great option, especially as the rivers warm throughout the day. Fishing deeper with chironomids and leeches has been producing quality fish during the daytime hours. Early and late in the day, trout have been cruising the shallows looking for terrestrials, while streamers and crayfish patterns have also been effective.
Despite the challenging summer conditions, there’s still some excellent fishing to be had if you adjust your timing and tactics. Get out early, keep an eye on water temperatures, and take advantage of the lakes when the rivers get too warm.
For more detailed information on individual fisheries, current conditions, and what’s working, read on below. As always, if you have questions or need some advice before heading out, give the shop a call at 970-723-4215.
Meadow Streams
The tributaries have come up a bit over the past week thanks to some much-needed rain and irrigation being shut off, but flows are still pretty low. With less water, fish are spooky and tougher to approach, so longer casts, stealthy wading, and careful presentations are key right now.
Single dries have been the go-to in the lower flows, with small hoppers, caddis, and PMDs all producing fish. In the deeper pockets and runs, a hopper-dropper rig with a Chubby up top and a jig nymph, Perdigon, or caddis nymph dropped a couple of feet below has also been effective.
Streamer fishing is worth a shot early in the morning or on overcast days and has been putting some solid fish in the net.
Water temperatures have been climbing into the 70s most afternoons, so early starts are important. Take advantage of the cooler morning water, keep an eye on temperatures as the day progresses, and plan to get off the moving water when temperatures approach 70°F.
North Platte River
Canyon Section
The North Platte through the canyon is currently running around 135 CFS, with flows bumping slightly following afternoon thunderstorms. Currently we are seeing good numbers of Trico’s and Caddis. Fishing is best early in the day until noon. Fishing double dry rigs to fish feeding on Trico’s has been good. Outside the Trico hatch look for fish in the fastest water. Trico’s, Caddis, and various attractor nymphs such as duracells, ph tails, and smaller rs2 and wd-40 patterns have all worked well.
⚠ Wyoming Voluntary Fishing Closure
Wyoming Game and Fish has issued a voluntary fishing closure on the North Platte from the Colorado/Wyoming state line downstream to I-80 due to elevated water temperatures. With temperatures exceeding 70°F for much of the day, anglers are being asked to stay off the water to help reduce stress on the fish.
While there is currently no closure in place on the Colorado side, we strongly recommend giving the Platte a break until we receive more moisture and cooler temperatures.
There are plenty of other fishing opportunities available right now, and protecting these fish during stressful summer conditions will help keep the fishery healthy when conditions improve.
Valley Section
The North Platte through the valley is running lower than it is in the canyon, but fishing has still been decent around Verner SWA. Water temperatures have been favorable early in the morning, but they’re warming quickly, and we’ve been getting off the Platte by 11:00 a.m. to noon most days.
With the lower flows, dry-dropper rigs have been the most productive, with leeches, stoneflies, caddis nymphs, and various attractor patterns all putting fish in the net. Streamer fishing has also been producing some solid fish, especially early in the day.
When the wind cooperates, there has been some good surface activity as well, with fish looking up for caddis, Yellow Sallies, Tricos, and the occasional stonefly.
Afternoon water temperatures are climbing into the 70s, so keep a thermometer handy and pay close attention as the day warms up. Early mornings are the best window right now, and once water temperatures approach 70°F, it’s time to give the fish a break.
Note: The valley section is upstream of where the North Fork of the North Platte, Michigan, and Illinois Rivers enter the Platte. The North Gate gauge we monitor is downstream of these tributaries, so the reported flow at North Gate will generally be higher than what you’ll encounter in the valley section.
North Platte Flow Guide — North Gate Canyon
Routt Access to Pickaroon
0–750 CFS: Good wade-fishing levels
500–4,000 CFS: Good float-fishing levels
4,000+ CFS: Best suited for whitewater
North Platte River Flows: North Platte River Flows at North Gate Canyon
Delaney Buttes, Lake John & Cowdrey Lake
With the warm weather, fish have started moving into deeper, cooler water during the day. Deep nymphing has been the most consistent approach, with chironomids producing well in 15–25 feet of water.
Fish are also sporadically picking up leeches and baitfish patterns under an indicator, so it’s worth mixing up your flies if the chironomid bite slows down.
Early and late in the day, the lakes offer a few more options. Stripping crayfish patterns around first and last light has been producing some nice fish, and trout are starting to cruise the banks looking for terrestrials on the surface.
If you’re hoping for some dry-fly action, focus on the shallows during those cooler morning and evening windows.
High-Country Lakes & Streams
The high country is one of the best places to be right now.
Big Creek, Chambers, Joe Wright, Rainbow Lakes, Lake Agnes, Bighorn, Katherine, Clear, Kelly, and countless other lakes throughout the Zirkel and Rawah mountain ranges are all worth exploring this time of year.
The high-country season is relatively short in North Park, and the fish are taking full advantage of the prime summer conditions.
Terrestrials like beetles, ants, and hoppers are always a good bet on the surface, especially when fish are cruising the banks and shallows. Hanging chironomids or leeches under an indicator can also be very productive when fish aren’t looking up.
This is one of the best times of year to explore the high country, but keep a close eye on the weather. Afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly in the mountains, so get an early start, come prepared, and don’t hesitate to head for lower ground if storms begin to build.
North Park Anglers Fly Shop Hours
May–September 2026
7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Daily
Stop by the shop before heading out for the latest conditions, flies, and local advice, or give us a call at 970-723-4215.
North Park Anglers
Local knowledge. Current conditions. Better fishing.
