Gray Reef Fishing During the Flush 3/17-3/27

For those who would like to have the opportunity to catch some really big rainbows here is your chance.  This will not be an official HPD outing, but for those interested here are Larry Lester's thoughts. 

Last year Larry and John Green fished in early April the Platte River at Alcova just after the Wyoming Department of Fish and Game ended their annual 10-day flush of the river below the Alcova dam.  The weather for two days was perfect and using primarily small size 16 and 18 blood worms the fishing was great.  While fishing Larry asked several local fishermen about the flush and they said the better fishing is actually during the flush as the fish are not picky and really active.  At the recent Fly Show one of the guides from the Reef Fly Shop said to not fish the first few days of the flush as the water is really murky and he wholeheartedly agreed one should fish during the flush.  The following link explains how the water release is managed each day.  Higher flows late at night are reduced during the day to allow for safe wading of the waters

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/news-events/flushing-flow-north-platte-river-begin-march-17

Larry will not be able to go as he had planned, but here are his thoughts if you want to go:   Plan to stay for at least two nights in Casper.  The Super 8 motel in Casper is approximately 30 minutes from Alcova and offers reasonable rates.  There are cabins in Alcova that might be available, but if the weather reports show unfavorable weather and high winds for the days you had planned it is a lot easier to cancel a reservation at a motel in Casper and there are plenty of restaurants there.  With accommodations made plan to leave Denver real early the first day and then fish the area right below the Alcova dam for the rest of the day.  That afternoon head down the road to Casper for a bit to eat and the next day back to Alcova for fishing.  If you find a few more fishermen than you had expected fishing the waters just down from the dam, try fishing the waters just below the Gray Reef Reservoir dam.  The Platte Rivers flows down and through Casper so plenty of water to fish.  Good luck and tight lines!