Fly Fishing Laramie River - Laramie Plains / Woods Landing

Overview

The Laramie River blends cobbled riffles and runs near Jelm and Woods Landing with meandering meadow water on the Laramie Plains. Cutbanks and bends break up the upper water, while long glides and gravel bars shape the flatter reaches downstream.

Brown and rainbow trout inhabit this freestone river, with brook trout also present in the system. The contrast between riffles, deeper runs and meadow glides gives anglers different kinds of water to read as they move along the reach.

Seasons and tactics

Early spring brings midges and blue-winged olives, followed by caddis and yellow sallies as water temperatures climb. Golden stones and early summer mayflies offer other patterns to match. In summer, hoppers, beetles and ants are useful along grassy banks on breezy afternoons. Fall brings smaller blue-winged olive hatches; streamers can cover deeper runs and undercut banks.

Work the broken current along bends and cutbanks with nymphs, then watch the longer glides for rising fish before choosing a dry fly. Match the presentation to the water in front of you: a drift through a cobbled run calls for a different approach than a cast across a slow meadow glide. Spring runoff can discolor the river, and depth and current vary through the season.