Fly Fishing Laramie River - Laramie Plains / Woods Landing

Fly fishing the Laramie River – Plains / Woods Landing Section offers a classic small-to-medium freestone experience on Wyoming’s eastern slope. Flowing out of the Medicine Bow Mountains, the river drops through ponderosa-lined canyons and broad meadows before turning east across the Laramie Plains. The Woods Landing reach provides a unique mix of mountain scenery, accessible public water, and wild trout, making it a favorite stop for both locals and travelers heading along Highway 230.

This portion of the Laramie River blends freestone gradient with meandering meadow character. Upstream near Jelm and Woods Landing, riffle-run-pool sequences dominate, with a cobbled bottom and excellent pocket water along cutbanks and bends. Downstream toward the plains, the gradient flattens, producing long glides and gravel bars ideal for dry-fly presentations. The river’s moderate size and clear water make it a comfortable wade fishery for anglers of all skill levels.

Brown trout are the primary residents here, thriving in the cool, nutrient-rich freestone flows. Rainbows are common as well, and brook trout occasionally appear in cooler tributary stretches. Typical trout range 10–16 inches, with larger browns pushing past 18 inches, especially in the fall. Because this section remains relatively unpressured, fish respond well to natural presentations and small attractor patterns.

Hatches are steady through the season. Early spring brings midges and blue-winged olives, followed by caddis and yellow sallies as water temperatures climb. May and June see golden stones and early summer mayflies, while July and August feature prolific terrestrial activity — hoppers, beetles, and ants are staples on breezy afternoons. Fall fishing is marked by smaller BWO hatches and aggressive pre-spawn browns chasing streamers in undercut banks and deeper runs.

Flows between 75 and 300 CFS offer prime wading conditions, providing plenty of structure without heavy current. During spring runoff, the river can become off-color, but it typically stabilizes by late June and fishes consistently through October. Access is excellent along Highway 230 and the Woods Landing area, where multiple public parcels and Wyoming Game and Fish easements allow easy entry. Upstream forest roads offer additional access to higher, cooler stretches of the river near Jelm and the Medicine Bow foothills.

For anglers seeking a relaxed, scenic, and productive freestone fishery in southeastern Wyoming, fly fishing the Laramie River near Woods Landing is a must. The combination of easy access, wild trout, and classic Western water types makes it one of the region’s best under-the-radar destinations.