June 21, 2026
Fishing at A Bar A has been very productive! Flows are low and the water clarity is high with consistent caddis and mayfly hatches throughout the day. Light nymph and hopper-dropper rigs are very effective in both the morning and afternoons. Dry fly fishing has also been active, particularly in the mornings. Expect to see morning and evening caddis, pale morning duns (PMDs), yellow sally stoneflies, and even some early season tricos hatching throughout the day.
The tributary streams (Mullen, Savage, and Cottonwood) have similarly dropped in flow but fish are still congregating at these tributaries for the colder water, especially as day-time air temperatures climb. The tributaries themselves are also fishing well, which has provided consistent dry fly fishing, with lots of pocket water action!
Big Creek is also flowing low and clear with very productive fishing throughout the day. The go-to rigs on the creek have mainly been small hopper-dropper or single attractor dry flies. Light nymph rigs have also been productive in the deeper runs. The meadows are noticeably lower but still holding fish in the meander bends and undercuts. The faster pocket water in the canyon on Big Creek is generally where anglers are finding most success.
Suggested Patterns: Black/Brown Pat’s Rubber Legs (#6 – #8), Psycho Price Nymphs (#12 – #14), Caddis larvae (#12 – #14), Sexy Waltz Hare’s Ear (#16-18), Purple Parachute Adams (#16 – #12), Red Copper John (#12 – #18), Duracell (#14 – #16), Midges (#18 – #22), Streamers (#4 – #8), Elk Hair Caddis (#16 – # 12), Hoppers (#8 – #6), PMD Dries (#16 – #14), Yellow Sallies (#14), Trico Dun/Spinner (#18-22).
General Entomology
The major insect hatches consist of stoneflies, caddis, and mayflies. There is also an ample supply of terrestrial insects, aquatic worms, and native minnows that make up much of a trout’s diet.
Hatches generally begin mid-morning, and at times will last the entire day. Spring offers a diverse range of caddis, stoneflies, and mayflies. Terrestrial insects are most abundant during the heat of the summer—July and August—and will survive until the first hard frost. The most notable mayfly hatch in the upper North Platte River watershed is the trico mayfly, which usually arrives late-July and August. In the fall, and especially with a little moisture, blue winged olive mayflies may hatch the entire day.
Throughout the year trout will feed subsurface on the aquatic stages of many insects. Spring is often a time when lots of terrestrial nymphs and aquatic worms are flushed through the streams. It is also a time when stoneflies and caddis hatch, attracting the attention of many trout. In correlation with the seasonal hatches and as stream levels drop, trout will shift their focus to smaller mayfly and midge nymphs later in the season.
Trout are opportunistic feeders, and at certain times territorial. Streamers imitate the various life stages of fishes and leeches, and can be an effective method of fishing the entire season. Streamers are usually large and flashy, which make them a great option during the early season when water levels are high and off color. They also work well in lakes where trout sometimes ambush their prey.
General Hatch Guide
Mid-June to July
- Caddis
- Stoneflies (golden, salmonflies, yellow sallies, and little black)
- Mayflies (pale morning dun, green and brown drakes)
- Terrestrials (grasshoppers and ants)
- Aquatic worms
July to August
- Caddis
- Stoneflies (yellow sallies)
- Mayflies (trico, pale morning dun, callibeatis, and mahogany dun)
- Terrestrials (grasshoppers and ants)
- Midges
August to September
- Caddis
- Mayflies (trico, blue winged olive, and blue quill)
- Terrestrials (grasshoppers and ants)
- Midges
