Fishing Report
June 18th, 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 risen slightly over the last couple of days due to the recent heat, but they are still on the low side for this time of year. Overall, the rivers are low for this time of year, but the fishing remains very good. Running a dry dropper with a “Big Foam Pattern” up top, trailed 18 inches 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 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 270 cfs. Fishing is pretty good right now and getting better by the day. Dry/dropper rigs with Salmon flies, or big Chubby terrestrials trailing a black stonefly 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 late in the day. There have also been good hatches of Caddis, Hendrickson, and PMD mayflies in the early afternoons and evenings. We expect the flows to continue to drop until the weather warms and more snow starts to melt.
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, Hendricksons, and some stones on the surface when the wind isn’t blowing.
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 Chironomid hatch is in full swing on the lakes! Nymphing is the name of the game right now, with most fishing for chironomids in 6-16 feet of water. We’ve seen fish still eating leeches and baitfish under the bobber, and stripping Crayfish patterns early and late has been producing some nice fish. Look for fish cruising close to the shorelines early and late in the day, and moving out into deeper water mid-morning.
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
