Tim Wade's North Fork Anglers

Fly Rods at North Fork Anglers

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Welcome to spring and all the great fly fishing opportunities that lie ahead in the months to come!

Now that spring has sprung every where but the Rockies, North Fork Anglers is excited about the upcoming spring fly fishing. Already there has been tremendous Baetis and midge hatches on the lower Shoshone River tailwater where the trout have been pigging out on these tiny, but productive morsels of trout protein since February. Mothers Day Caddis are also hatching now, creating even more opportunity for dry flies. Awesome is the only way to describe the action.

The phone has been ringing off the hook with anglers asking how East Newton Lake and Luce (pronounced 'loose') Reservoir is fishing and if the spring run is above the closure at Newton Creek on the North Fork of the Shoshone. The quick answer is, "YES!". Even better, the trout at East Newton and Luce seemed to have added inches and pounds since these trophy stillwaters iced over last November.

More good news! The rainbows, cutbows and native Yellowstone cutthroat in the North Fork have run up the river in good numbers this spring. The run seems to be better than in previous years - no doubt due to two high water years and excellent spawning recruitment. Plus, the trout are bigger and breaking leaders lighter than 2X with regularity! Again, that is awesome stuff.

We expect the fishing to just get better and better in the months to come. You are invited to participate in the great fly fishing found in the NW corner of Wyoming by hiring one of our professional and friendly guides for a trip on local rivers, streams or stillwater lakes and ponds.

If you want to wet a line on your own, you are always welcome to drop into North Fork Anglers, located under our famous leaping neon trout in downtown Cody, to get the right info and advice, the right flies, or the latest gear to make your day on the water a memorable one.

North Fork Country Fishing Reports

Water is the key ingredient to fishing. In the Rocky Mountains of northwest Wyoming, river and stream flows through the summer, fall and winter are dictated by winter snowpack high in the mountains.

This year's snowpack will be below average throughout much of the northern Rockies. While we have had almost too much water the past 2 seasons, that will not be the case in 2010.

High water is expected to begin some time in May and be finished by late June, which gives you and us almost 5 months (July-November) of excellent fly fishing opportunities instead of the late start to the season seen in '08 and '09, which began in late July.

Lower flows does not mean we won't have water, nor above average water temperatures (on moving water that is), nor does it mean we won't have great fly fishing right up until November.

What it means is that anglers wanting to fish "North Fork Country" now through the fall should have better than average success when fly fishing because the flows are right!

Earlier runoff also means you can get a jump start on the fly fishing season this year. With more than 1500 miles of rivers, streams and stillwaters found within a short driving distance from our fly shop in downtown Cody, that gives us all a lot to do!

As mentioned, fishing has been very good already at East Newton Lake, a popular trophy trout fishery, the lower Shoshone tailwater and the North Fork.

Keep an eye on our Fishing Report page on our web site - www.northforkanglers.com - for the latest fishing information, insect activity/hatches and fly recommendations.

North Fork Anglers offers Walk/Wade, Float, Wyoming Cutt Slam and Horseback Pack-in fly fishing trips. Most trips are designed to give you a half or full day of fly fishing fun on some of the best waters anywhere. Our back country Horseback trips generally are 4-7 days.

On any given day, you can catch wild, native Yellowstone cutthroat, or wild brown, rainbows and cutbows on most of our larger waters. In the high country, you can even add brookies, grayling and golden trout to your catch.

Your success, whether a novice or expert angler, is our utmost priority. North Fork Anglers has been guiding on the waters in the Cody/Yellowstone area since 1984. Since then, our friendly, knowledgeable and professional guides have provided many fun-filled, rod-bending days for our guided trip guests.

Whether you like spring Baetis (bwo) fishing, Mother's Day caddis, or huge salmon fly emergences in late June, this is the year to experience them.

If it's golden stones, mayflies or caddis after the high water is over late June, then come on out after that. These hatches could go well into August. If you like hoppers and dropper fishing, then come on out August through September.

Fishing dries earlier than normal is not a bad thing my friends! And the best thing about a low water year? Wading or floating the rivers will not be suicidal but a rod-bending pleasure.

If you have been waiting to book your vacation or guided trip because you weren't sure about water conditions, wait no longer. Float Trips should be prime come July 1, which also coincides with the opening of the entire North Fork of the Shoshone, rated as a top 10 freestone river in the Rockies.

Besides the typical fly rod species found in the West, we are also offering anglers the chance to chase huge carp on some local stillwaters and tailwaters with experienced 'Carpon' guides. These trips are best late April through June and can be dove-tailed with other float or wading trips, for something different and challenging!

You are encouraged to let our guides show you just how well the fishing can be when conditions are prime! Hiring an experienced fly fishing guide for a day or three is a good way to find out how to fish large Western rivers.

Our guides at North Fork Anglers have 10 years, or more, guiding experience under their wading boots and know these waters from top to bottom. They are also very good at teaching you the right way to cast, read water and selecting the right fly at the right time.

For more information on guided trips and available dates, please feel free to call North Fork Anglers. We will be happy to help you with arrangements and even customize itineraries for individuals or larger groups.

It is up to you to decide when you want to join us for a guided trip. Please don't wait until the last minute to reserve a date. We want to make certain we can accommodate our returning and new guests without having to say we are already booked the day/week you intend to be here.

For sure, all of us at North Fork Anglers will be excited to see you again after a long cold winter! The trout will be here waiting for you, too.

Tim Wade's North Fork Anglers