Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The North Platte River (Gray
Reef Tailwater) Wyoming
The Gray Reef tailwater on the North Platte River is
below Pathfinder, Alcova and Gray Reef Reservoirs.
This tailwater isn't as popular as the Miracle Mile
tailwater that's below Seminole Reservoir, but it has
some advantages that Seminole doesn't have. Its flows
remain more stable and runoff doesn't affect it as much.
The flows remain high during the Summer and slightly
off color but are fishable. From the first of October until
the end of April, its flows are low and provide excellent
conditions for fishing the tailwater. It is a tailwater that
you need to float. There isn't any decent water access
where you can wade. A drift boat or pontoon type boat is
the best way to fish the Gray Reef tailwater.
The river consist of long, slick, smooth areas of water
with long sections of riffles between them. At certain
times of the year, during good hatches, dry fly fishing
can be good, but it's not very often. All things
considered, day in and day out, streamers and nymphs
will out produce other flies. It's one of the best places
you can fish to catch a large trout. Trophy size rainbow
and brown trout are as plentiful as anywhere else in the
nation. Its rainbow trout average between 14 and 20
inches.
The Gray Reef has huge hatches of aquatic insects.
Blue-winged Olives, Pale Morning Duns, Trico's, Little
Yellow Stoneflies, Spotted Caddis, Green Sedges and
many other species of caddisflies are present. The
biggest problem anglers have fishing the river is wind.
The wind usually blows just about every day anywhere
from 10 to 25 miles per hour. This is another reason
nymphs and streamers outproduce dry flies.
Season:
You can fish the Gray Reef tailwater year-round.
Winter:
Winter fishing is usually good provided the water isn't
frozen.
Spring:
April through June is one of the best times for fly fishing
the Gray Reef tailwater of the North Platte River.
Summer:
The flows are normally high and fishing can be slow
during the summer.
Fall:
Streamers are very productive during the Fall season.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
Reef Tailwater) Wyoming
The Gray Reef tailwater on the North Platte River is
below Pathfinder, Alcova and Gray Reef Reservoirs.
This tailwater isn't as popular as the Miracle Mile
tailwater that's below Seminole Reservoir, but it has
some advantages that Seminole doesn't have. Its flows
remain more stable and runoff doesn't affect it as much.
The flows remain high during the Summer and slightly
off color but are fishable. From the first of October until
the end of April, its flows are low and provide excellent
conditions for fishing the tailwater. It is a tailwater that
you need to float. There isn't any decent water access
where you can wade. A drift boat or pontoon type boat is
the best way to fish the Gray Reef tailwater.
The river consist of long, slick, smooth areas of water
with long sections of riffles between them. At certain
times of the year, during good hatches, dry fly fishing
can be good, but it's not very often. All things
considered, day in and day out, streamers and nymphs
will out produce other flies. It's one of the best places
you can fish to catch a large trout. Trophy size rainbow
and brown trout are as plentiful as anywhere else in the
nation. Its rainbow trout average between 14 and 20
inches.
The Gray Reef has huge hatches of aquatic insects.
Blue-winged Olives, Pale Morning Duns, Trico's, Little
Yellow Stoneflies, Spotted Caddis, Green Sedges and
many other species of caddisflies are present. The
biggest problem anglers have fishing the river is wind.
The wind usually blows just about every day anywhere
from 10 to 25 miles per hour. This is another reason
nymphs and streamers outproduce dry flies.
Season:
You can fish the Gray Reef tailwater year-round.
Winter:
Winter fishing is usually good provided the water isn't
frozen.
Spring:
April through June is one of the best times for fly fishing
the Gray Reef tailwater of the North Platte River.
Summer:
The flows are normally high and fishing can be slow
during the summer.
Fall:
Streamers are very productive during the Fall season.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Brown Trout (Wild) Rainbow Trout (Wild) Size Large - 40 miles long Location South Central Wyoming Nearest Town Casper Season Year-round Access: Fair for drifting, poor for wading Non-Resident License State of Wyoming Weather National Weather Service Hatch Chart Coming Soon Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies Stream Flow Data: Gray Reef |
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North Platte River
(Gray Reef Tailwater)
Wyoming
(Gray Reef Tailwater)
Wyoming
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |