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 Full Day Float Fishing Trips
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Our full day float fishing trips take place on several sections of the North Platte River including, 36 miles of the upper North Platte and several sections of the Gray Reef, and the Encampment River. Although technically the same river, the upper North Platte and the Gray Reef are worlds apart. The trout on the Gray Reef, which consist of rainbows, cuttbows, cutthroats, and browns, tend to run larger on average than the upper Platte, but the scenery and wildlife of the upper Platte makes up for this lack in size and then some. This is not to say that we don’t catch large trout on the upper Platte but the average size fish is 12 to 16 inches, where as the average size fish on the Reef is 16 to 20 inches and allows you the best chance to catch a 5 pound trout. The upper North Platte is managed as wild trout fishery and has not been stocked since 1979, making it a unique Wyoming fishing experience. It consists of browns, rainbows and cutts, with the majority of the fish being browns.
Four Seasons Anglers will make suggestions on which sections of the river to fish based on fishing conditions and client’s preferences.
For more information or to book a trip call us at 307-721-4047 or email us.
Trip Includes:
1 Guide X 2 Anglers
Hearty Lunch and Beverages ( water and soft drinks)
Instruction ( if desired)
8 to 10 hours on the water (guides can be bribed to stay longer)
Flies and Tippet
Transportation from our shop and back (special arrangements required)
FREE shuttle from the Laramie Airport
Not Included:
Wyoming Fishing Licenses (available at our shop)
Meals other than lunches
Alcoholic Beverages (arrangements can be made)
Rates
$450 for one or two anglers ($225 per person with 2 anglers)
A $100 deposit is required to reserve your booking
* Gratuity not included
BOOK FULL DAY FLOAT FISHING TRIP
What to Bring
Rain Gear
Polarized Sunglasses
Camera
Warm Clothing (this is Wyoming)
5 to 7 WT. Rods
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Wyoming Fishing License (available at our shop)
Waders (please no studded boots, it’s tough on the boats)
Lodging
North Platte Fishing Lodge
Laramie area Lodging
Casper area Lodging
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations must be received two weeks prior to date of booking to receive full refund.
UPPER NORTH PLATTE RIVER
  
At the foot of the Snowy Range Mountains flows a hidden gem through the Wyoming plains, the North Platte River. This pristine freestone river, nestled in the Saratoga Valley, offers a rare combination of Blue Ribbon trout fishing, spectacular views, abundant wildlife, and no crowds. This freestone fishery begins in North Park Colorado at the confluence of Grizzly and Little Grizzly Creek and flows north into Wyoming picking up several other small streams along the way. The North Platte continues north through Wyoming over 300 miles before it heads east and reaches the Nebraska border. On its travels the characteristics of the river change dramatically from a deep canyons with tight narrow runs to wide meandering flats in the lower pasture and high desert sections. The 60 miles between the Routt access and the town of Saratoga is all considered a Blue Ribbon trout fishery and has not been stocked since 1979. In 1982 the Wyoming Game & Fish Department instituted a slot limit, which requires all fish between 10-16 inches to be released immediately. They also designated this a flies and lures only stretch. The combination of these conservation regulations drastically increased the number of trout per mile. The North Platte now claims 4000 fish per mile consisting mainly of browns and rainbows, with a few Snake River cutthroats. The North Platte River offers a multitude of wade fishing and float fishing opportunities. There are over 20 miles of public water in the Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest alone, with several other significant public sections between Colorado and Saratoga.
GRAY REEF 
The Gray Reef section of the North Platte River was recently voted #1 by American Angler Magazine in its winter edition of 2005, as the top spot in the world for large trout. “This is where good eastern brook trout fishermen come to find nirvana-you have a better chance at a trophy rainbow (or, for that matter, brown) on the North Platte than you do just about anywhere else in the lower 48.”
-American Angler Magazine
The Gray Reef, located 30 miles south of Casper on Wyoming State Highway 220, is one of two Blue Ribbon tailwaters on the North Platte River. It is considered one of the best Rainbow trout fisheries in the country with fish averaging 16-20 inches and plenty of fish in the 10+ pound range. The Reef begins below Gray Reef Reservoir, a small impoundment just below Alcova Reservoir, and flows north towards Casper. This area is high desert country with very few trees and virtually no cover from the elements. Wind is definitely a factor when fishing the Gray Reef. You can expect to fish in 15 to 25 mile per hour winds any given day, especially during the spring. Unfortunately, spring is one of the most productive times to fish the reef, especially April through June. The Gray Reef does stay open year around allowing for some great winter wade fishing; if you decide to float in late winter make sure to contact Four Seasons Anglers to see if the river is frozen before the first boat ramp. This doesn’t happen very often but portaging a drift boat over and ice shelf sure can ruin a float trip.
The Gray Reef is a slow moving river with lots of frog water and very few island braids making it hard to read at times. Summer flows range from 2000 to 3000 cfs and the winter flows are typically held at 500 cfs. We get tremendous hatches on this river, including BWO’s, PMD’s, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Trico’s. Unfortunately, this is not a great dry fly fishery. The best dry fly action is at dusk for caddis and in the mornings during the Trico hatch. The best way to have productive days on the Gray Reef is to dead drift a nymph and indicator rig along seams and drop offs. Streamers can also be productive, especially during the spring and fall.
The upper 7 miles of the Gray Reef is the most famous and also the most heavily fished section of this 40-mile stretch or river. Public water on this section is limited to three access points: the Gray Reef Access Area right at the dam, Trapper’s Route #1, and Lusby Public Fishing Area. Fishing from a drift boat or raft is the best way to explore this area because of the limited public water to wade fish. When floating this stretch be careful where you drop anchor or get out of the boat. Wyoming state law states that the landowner owns everything but the water that you are floating on. There have been several fishermen that have been fined up to $250 for trespassing on private land. The largest public stretch of river is located below Government Bridge, at Clarkson Hill and By the Way Ranch Public Fishing areas. There are several other less significant access points that are mainly used as boat launching points, including Government Bridge, Sechrist, Bessemer Bend, and Robertson Road, each of which has a boat ramp.
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