Discover the NPL Difference!
Wyoming trophy trout fishing, private access, experienced Wyoming trout fishing guides. North Platte River fly fishing.
Start here for one of the most amazing flyfishing journeys of your life! Why? Access, Experience, and Convenience.
Enjoy a mile of private trophy trout flyfishing right outside our front door! We have leased 21 miles of river bank exclusively for our guests’ fishing access year-round. Avoid crowds when you fish with us. Explore the NPL Difference!
North Platte Lodge is the first lodge located on the lower North Platte River. We are one mile below the Grey Reef Dam near Alcova, Wyoming.
Be sure and see our photo gallery of the trophy rainbows and brown trout that our guests have had the pleasure of catching.
Since 1998: Access, Experience & Convenience
ACCESS
Access – to get out of the boat and fish or to take a breather – is critical. In the first 14 miles of river below the dam, all but 2 river miles of bank is private land. We are the only operation with leases exclusively for our guests. Anyone can float through this stretch, but no one can stop except North Platte Lodge.
EXPERIENCE
At North Platte Lodge – the first lodge on the Grey Reef stretch – you will float and fish with the River’s most experienced full-time professional guides. They know the river at every water level and season through thousands of days of guide experience.
CONVENIENCE
You can fly into Casper, WY via United or Delta, and we will pick you up.
The lodge is on the river, and you will get all meals and large comfortable rooms with private bathrooms.
In the morning it’s a one minute drive to the boat launch and after fishing, a ten minute return trip! You can walk a couple hundred yards and wade at one of Grey Reef's finest fishing holes.
Why the North Platte River Grey Reef Section?
The North Platte River (Grey Reef Section) is one of the world’s most amazing tailwaters. Traversing the arid landscape of central Wyoming. the Grey Reef has nearly 62 miles of fishable water.
The nutrient rich waters of the river host an abundance of aquatic invertebrates, making the fish both plentiful and healthy. Rainbow trout comprise an majority of the population but brown trout and Snake River cutthroat exist in healthy numbers.
Due to the overall health of both the river and fish, the Grey Reef section of the North Platte has become renowned for its trophy-sized trout.
The high desert prairie of this region supports an abundance of wildlife such as mule deer, whitetail, antelope, coyote, elk, and a multitude of birds of prey.
Fly Fishing with NPL
FLYFISHING THE NORTH PLATTE is not like fishing a typical trout stream. These are not typical trout and this is no typical river. The trout you can expect are unusually large and they are usually strong!
You can expect to hook and land fish in the five to six pound class on this river. These fish are going to test your tackle and your skill. The biggest ones are going to break your tackle and your heart!
This stretch of river is almost entirely privately held which keeps the pressure low. The fishing is primarily subsurface with most being nymph and streamer fishing.
Land of the Giants
The exciting part of this river is the unbelievable size that fish attain. The fish are extremely heavy compared to their length. It is not uncommon for an 18 inch fish to be too thick to hold in one hand.
A typical day should find an angler landing a number of fish in the 3-4 pound class, with the very strong possibility of landing a 5-7 pound fish. There are also a large number of fish that are in the 8-10 pound class and above; these fish, however, tend to show you more of your backing than themselves, but fish above 10 pounds are landed every year.
The Sweetwater River
The Sweetwater is a wonderful small water fishery that provides challenging fishing for higher level flyfishers. This stream has a variety of species and has some really large fish. Browns over 20" are not uncommon. Many 14-17" Cutthroats as well as Rainbows also inhabit the stream.
Right beside the river is the Historic Oregon Trail and Pony Express Route and it is easily viewed as you spend your day on this historic ranch. The number of flyfishers is limited to 8 per week so make sure to reserve your spot when you book.
About NPL Fishing
All guides at the North Platte Lodge have their own driftboats. Each boat accomodates two fisherman and the guide.
Fishing can be done exclusively from the comfort of the boat or to get the full experience, wadefishing. We strive to keep all boats and gear clean and orderly for your enjoyment.
The typical method of fishing is nymphing with a two-fly rig. Streamers are also typically done on a two-fly setup. Dry fly fishing can be done when conditions are right.
We have jetboats available for carp fishing, scenic tours, and wade fishing the river when water levels are appropriate.
This year North Platte lodge is adding a trophy package. The trophy package will be for just one fisherman, who wants to pursue big fish! You will be throwing big streamers, and your guide will take you wherever and do whatever it takes to give you a legimate shot a some very large trout!
Wingshooting at NPL
First class lodge, top rate staff, hundreds of thousands of private acres, and limited pressure on the resource. The North Platte Lodge will provide you with the wingshooting experience you’ve dreamed of.
With over 15,000 acres of land available and by limiting the number of hunters, we are able to keep the pressure low on our birds. You will have prime opportunities to hunt wild birds.
Hungarian Partridges are the primary birds for your enjoyment. If you have never hunted Huns before, you will find them as exciting and challenging as any upland species. They are a covey bird that will rise and fly together...fast!
The beauty of the Hun is that they live in open prairie and CRP so you can see them and follow them after the initial rise. It is not uncommon to jump a covey two or three times after the initial find.
The Sage Grouse are usually found while in the fields chasing the Huns. The Sage Grouse,while not as prevalent as the Huns, are found throughout the ranch in good numbers.
Goose Hunting at NPL
North Platte Lodge now has access to world-class Canada goose hunting throughout Goshen County Wyoming. Our pits are large and extremely comfortable and are heated with electric baseboard heat or propane. Each will handle 2-5 hunters with guide and dog.
The best part is the locations of the pits. Any of these proven pits would be a goose hunter’s dream spot. We have 17, and ALL of them are great! This also gives us the opportunity to move from pit to pit. When we toured the pits in July, our guides wanted to start hunting immediately! The prime locations and comfortable pits were hard for them to believe.
We limit hunting pressure to keep the birds feeding in the fields. All of our pits are in cropland except one which is in a primary flight zone and is amazing. All of them are either near the North Platte or water favored by the geese. One new pit will be on a property that hasn’t been hunted for four years!
Comfortable lodging for up to six hunters and meals are available on our lease. If you use our lodging, your dog is welcome to hunt and to stay the night. No dogs are allowed in the house, however, so be prepared to have your dog sleep in your car or in our kennels outside.
Snow Goose & Duck Hunts
Spring will bring in the snow geese and some great snow goose hunting in a couple of our pits. This will be an opportunist hunt as you will need to come on the spur of the moment when the geese are in. If you would like to be on our snow goose call list, please contact us with your number and email and we will keep you posted.
Again this year, we offer goose and duck hunts near Alcova. These hunts are all done from layout blinds as these geese are mobile, and we must move with them. The comfortable layouts have blankets available to keep the ground chill off your bones!
Our guides will help you call and will set the spread and prepare your party for a successful outing. If you would prefer to call yourself, just let your guide know. As a precaution against skybusting and pass shooting in the fields, pits are not available without guides. We shoot only decoyed birds and try to avoid educating too many of the birds in the big flocks by pass shooting at them. Enough birds will come in!
Seasons vary, and time restrictions are in place in Goshen and Platte counties, so please be aware of regulations and that you may only be able to hunt half days. These regulations are usually not a problem!
Season Dates and Limits have not been published yet. We will post those as soon as they become available.
Come experience the incredible comfort and pleasant atmosphere of our pits while hunting Wyoming's premier Goose valley!
Accommodations
The NPL is located in Central Wyoming, just outside of Alcova, Wyoming. Alcova is approximately 25 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming. Nearly a mile of prime fishing exclusively for our guests is right out the front door!
We accommodate only eight guests at a time in four spacious rooms, each with two queen beds and a private bathroom. You will find that our rooms are large and comfortable.
Our lodge will feel like your home away from home while fishing or wingshooting. Lounging near the fireplace or on the deck, you will find the lodge comfortable in every way.
The lodge offers a generous continental breakfast, a hearty shore lunch and a family style western dinner. If you have special dietary needs to please let us know in advance so we can accommodate them if possible.
North Platte Lodge co-owner Trent Tatum featured in Casper Visitor Bureau television commercial on North Platte River fishing.
What's new at North Platte Lodge?
Weather Station
We fish the North Platte River year round. Wyoming’s weather can change in an instant. Reliable weather information is important in an angler’s preparation for the day. The North Platte Lodge will have a new professional grade weather station available for the 2012 season. This weather station will have lots of weather data available to the guests currently staying at the lodge as well as being available to anybody with an internet connection. Check the North Platte Lodge Weather Station to get current temperature readings, precipitation totals, wind speed and direction with max gusts and more. Weather conditions, updated every few seconds and available 24 hours a day, will be available on your mobile device or home computer.
Photo Gallery
We have all come to love the clever perspectives and impeccable timing of Trent Tatum’s photography. Many of his photographs are available to view on our websites and BLOG. His work has been in local and national publications, won awards, and has been used in local interpretive sites and advertising for a number of products. The Bureau of Land Management requested his assistance when they were building the interpretive trails along the North Platte River between Grey Reef and Sechrist. Many of these plaques can be view a short walk from the lodge. After many requests Trent has reluctantly decided to offer his photographs for sale. The North Platte Lodge will feature a few of Trent’s shots in an elegant gallery wrap format. They will be the perfect way to commemorate the perfect trip.
View
That’s right, a new view from the North Platte Lodge. Many of you remember the small collection of building and antique automobiles that blocked the view of the Grey Reef Access and Grey Reef Dam. Several years ago the cars were auctioned off. The barn was removed in late 2010 and the homes finally removed this past July, leaving behind the old foundations. The project is complete as the entire area is free of any debris and returned to a natural state. The NEW view from the North Platte Lodge is unobstructed. The lodge overlooks the entire upper Grey Reef stretch of the North Platte River. Wander freely to a higher vantage as all the land surrounding the lodge is either owned by the North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop or is BLM or Bureau of Reclamation property.
Casper Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
The North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop continue our strong relationship with the Casper Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Visit them at www.casperwyoming.info. This isn’t a new organization or a new relationship but we feel it is newsworthy. The CCVB is responsible for promoting the Casper area as a place to visit or hold a convention. They are doing a fantastic job of introducing folks to the many opportunities in our area. We are proud of their effort with regard to promoting the North Platte River and its world class fishing opportunities. But it doesn’t end there. Do you know that Casper has many historic sites and museums? Are you aware of the myriad of Casper’s other outdoor recreation opportunities from mountain biking to wind surfing and whitewater kayaking to Nordic and alpine skiing. We have the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and Casper Civic Chorale, Nicolaysen Art Museum and National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. Not to mention hunting opportunities of all kinds. We host events including the College National Finals Rodeo and the Beartrap Summer Bluegrass Festival. This list is just the tip of the iceberg. Request an Adventure Guide. This is an impressive collection of Casper’s notable places, events and activities in one magazine.
What isn’t new?
Much remains the same at the North Platte Lodge including our amazing staff, location and private access.
Staff
Fish with the North Platte Lodge and have the advantage of a well seasoned professional, full-time Grey Reef fly fishing guide. The guide staff at the North Platte Lodge is the largest and most experienced crew in the region. Their cumulative experience at Grey Reef can’t be matched. Our guides work exclusively for the North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop. A highly experienced guide will make the difference between a good day and a great day. Accept no compromises when it comes to getting the very most from your limited time in the area.
Katherine, the lovely hostess and co-owner of the North Platte Lodge, will be here to greet you when you arrive, make sure you are comfortable during your stay and be there to see you off when you depart. Anybody who has met her knows she makes the NPL experience special.
Location
The North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop are the only private properties on Grey Reef Road. Our locations can’t be beat. Take full advantage of the commanding view and easy access to the most consistent and reliable Grey Reef fishing opportunities available ONLY at the North Platte Lodge. The Reef Fly Shop greets visitors as they approach the boat ramp and Grey Reef fishing access. Stop in for advice, Grey Reef’s best selection of flies, gear, a fishing license or a shuttle. When you run out of the hot fly a 5 minute round trip to The Reef Fly Shop will have you and the hot fly back in action.
Private Access
Access is limited on Grey Reef. This means you can’t wade, anchor or beach on private property without permission. The North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop provide many miles of exclusive private access to our guests. We have the distinct advantage of being able to wade the best runs and anchor to land a fish or change flies. Our access totals more than two times the only other outfitter who provides meaningful private access.
Wi-Fi and Cell Service
The North Platte Lodge is truly a place to get away from it all...except trout. But, we understand the needs of today’s busy business people. Bring your laptop, smart phone or tablet as we have wireless Internet and cell phone service available.
The Reef Fly Shop in 2012
Most of you start your Wyoming fly fishing trip at The Reef Fly Shop prior to checking in at the lodge. The Reef Fly Shop is where we write fishing licenses and pick up essential gear for your trip. Conveniently located just 1 mile from the North Platte Lodge, The Reef Fly Shop is available at anytime during your lodge stay. Even after hours because we have the key!
The Reef Fly Shop features our own custom Grey Reef and Miracle Mile fly selection. Along with quality gear from manufacturers like Simms, Scott Fly Rods, Bauer and Nautilus Reels and Scientific Anglers and Rio fly lines among others. We don’t offer a generic selection of gear but rather a specialized lot designed to produce the best possible results at Grey Reef, Fremont Canyon and Miracle Mile. However, our staff are angling enthusiasts and can provide credible advice and gear for any saltwater or fresh water species. Including two handed rods for Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead and gear for all of your saltwater trips.
Of course, you should always expect the same high level of customer service from our shop and guide staff.
Custom Fly Patterns
We know that fly fishers are an educated bunch and can't be buffaloed by the same old generic fly patterns...some that frankly don't work very well. So, we continue to revamp our entire fly selection. We are working with our own custom tiers as well as the big fly companies to provide Grey Reef anglers with an unequalled selection. It will consist of streamers, nymphs and dries and will cover the full spectrum of seasons, hatches and bug phases. The guides of the North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop have used many of the patterns successfully at Grey Reef, Miracle Mile and Fremont Canyon for years.
NEW Grey Reef Primer Trip The Grey Reef Primer trip is a new addition to our list of guided fishing opportunities. Spend two hours wading with one of our seasoned pros and take the guesswork out of fishing success at Grey Reef. Book a Primer Trip and learn what type of water to concentrate on, what bugs will be successful and the techniques that will ensure your best chance of success. We will accommodate, and encourage, walk-in and after hour trips. The cost is $160 for a two hour crash course with one of Grey Reef’s best guides. The price includes one dozen appropriate flies, but does not include other terminal tackle or guide gratuity.
NEW Intro to Spey Casting and Swinging for Trout Learn the basics of casting a two handed fly rod and how to use these techniques to catch trout. Apply this new skill to test yourself on Steelhead or Atlantic Salmon.
Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile, a fabled section of the North Platte River, is a short drive from our location in Alcova, Wyoming. Our seasoned pros guide many trips on this spectacular fishery. The characteristics of Miracle Mile are different than that of Grey Reef. Heavy riffles with lots of mid-stream and bank structure make this an exciting place to fish. Early summer sees the emergence of the Golden Stone Fly hatch, resulting in some productive "dry/dropper" fishing. "The Mile" boasts a healthy population of brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Many of our guests now insist on one day of fishing Miracle Mile during their Wyoming Fly Fishing trip. Trips to Miracle Mile are more of an adventure than Grey Reef trips due to its remote location. Miracle Mile trips require a 45 minute drive to cover the 23 miles from the lodge to the boat ramp. There is no shuttle service available so guests must wait while the guides shuttle vehicles. The 2012 Miracle Mile rate is $475.
Carp Fishing
Many fly fishers shudder at the mention of pursuing carp with a fly. But, carp are large, plentiful and a wary adversary. That makes fly fishing for carp one of our favorite summer past times! Pathfinder and Alcova Reservoirs, only 10 minutes from the fly shop and lodge, host an abundance of these brutes. Alcova's carp are most often found foraging along the rocky banks. Pathfinder has shallow flats appropriate for wading or poling. Techniques used to catch carp are exactly the same techniques used to catch salt water fish that inhabit the flats. Book a day of "carping" just for fun or to prepare you for your saltwater destination.
FLYFISHING WYOMING'S NORTH PLATTE RIVER
All the Links you need to plan your Wyoming fly fishing trip.
"Thanks again for the hospitality. I'm already looking forward to next time. Everyone had an absolute blast, catching more big fish than anyone had ever done before...."
George Diamantis
Phoenix AZ