Grey Reef Fishing Report Summary

• Fishing Report Date: 2/15/2017
• Stream Flow: 503 CFS below Grey Reef Dam
• Water Clarity: Clear to Ledge Creek, Slightly off color from Ledge Creek to Lusby
• Fish Count: 8,000 plus fish per mile below Grey Reef for spawning season
• Bugs: Midges, analids, scuds, baetis nymphs, leeches
• Overall Rating : 10/10 with opportunities to nymph and throw streamers
• Travel Conditions & Advisories: None at this time
• Fishing Licenses: State ID or Drivers License to purchase a WY Fishing License. All water crafts required to purchase aquatic invasive species permit online through Wyoming Game & Fish or a licensed selling agent.

Grey Reef Fishing Report:  

Grey Reef to Casper: Fish Long Deep Runs, 8-9′ leader, BB/AB weight.

Nymphing: Scuds, Midges, Rock Worms, Egg Patterns, Baetis, Leeches

Streamers: Olive, Grey, Brown, Tan

Cowboy Drifters is the only outfitter guiding daily on the Grey Reef right now.  And we are still routinely getting off the river in the dark! We are boating tons of fish and some really big fish at that.  The annual Rainbow migration is on.  Actually I have seen several fish on beds already.  Rainbows and Cuttbows are Salmonids.  Every year they travel up to 80 miles up river to the Grey Reef section to spawn.  This is what increases the fish numbers so high.  The prespawn fish that are gorging themselves in preparation of the spawn.  This high number of BIG brude fish are stacked up in 500 cfs runs, not spread out in 3,000 cfs.  This is by far and has been for the past 20 years to catch the trophy of a lifetime and actually hook multiple giants per day.

365: Dedication Pays Off

Cowboy Drifter Guides have been on the river everyday and while the other outfitters are gearing up to start their season in April when the fish are in full spawn.  By then we will have had 3 solid months of the river to ourselves. The best guides on the North Platte River and Grey Reef and Definitely the hardest working who NEVER work off a time clock will put you on the best float trip on the Grey Reef and other fishable sections of the North Platte River.  I guarantee it!  Local guides that spend everyday on the river in snow, wind, rain, or shine are always prepared to give you the best of what this trophy trout fishery destination has to offer.

If you are in search of a Giant Brown Trout River Monster, February and March is the season.  The Browns have finished their spawn and are recovering int the slow tailouts of the long deep runs. Expending as little energy as possible they are replenishing their energy by eating every food source that drifts by their face without having to compete for it.  It is the only time you will see large concentrations of hue Brown Trout together in schools.  Once the river comes up for the flush the Browns will be pushed back downstream and again start competing for their territory.  SO….. Obviously this is why we hook more Big Brown Trout than any other time of year.

***Unwritten Local Resident, Guide, and Angler Law***

Lastly, the Rainbows are staging and beginning to spawn so please watch out for their beds (Redds.)  Clear gravel spots tan in color are Redds, this is where the Rainbows lay their eggs.  It is imperative to not wade across these areas!!!!  We do not stock the Grey Reef and rely on natural reproduction for our river systems health.  Their are plenty of great fish in the runs below the spawning beds.  Thank you for very much for your conservation efforts!!!!

Fly fishing on the Grey Reef section of the North Platte is often done from a boat for a variety of reasons. One reason is that a large portion of Grey Reef Flows through Private Land.   Wyoming stream laws are that anglers may float through private land so long as they do not touch bottom or drop anchor.  The best way to know is to keep an eye on red signs and blue Signs. Everything downstream of a red sign signifies private water until you come to a blue sign. Keep in mind this will only apply to the side of the river you see the sign on.  Download this Grey Reef float access map for details on floatable stretches,  land boundaries and boat ramp locations on Grey Reef.

Alcova, WY Weather Report

Grey Reef Fly Fishing Guides

Cowboy Drifters guides & staff hold ourselves & each other to the highest standard of professionalism, and innovation in fly fishing. We are often copied/followed but never out done. No other guide service on Grey Reef offers the wide variety of fly fishing trips that we do. No matter your fishing preferences or abilities, we have a trip for everybody and plenty of new trips to try. To Book a guided trip on Grey Reef, call us at 307-331-2031!