Does anyone have any general information on wading for trout up in Broken Bow area?? General areas you can wade?? Let me know if you have been up there and have any recommendations Thank you!

Most of the trout fishing is confined to the state park, although they do occasionally stock below the park as well. When the stop logs are out in the winter (they should be out now or coming out soon) you can wade most of the river as well as most of Spillway Creek. While there is probably some natural reproduction, nearly all of the fishing there is for stocked trout and is put and take. So a lot of the fishing is dependent on how recently the truck has dropped trout in the area you are fishing. Trout generally aren't too picky so basic flies such as stripping woolly buggers in deeper pools and swinging soft hackles in the current work well most of the time. If you want to nymph then size 18-20 flies such as zebra midges are usually the ticket. While it is fun to look at hatch charts and try and match what you are seeing on the water is nice, it is generally not necessary. If you are going up there then stop by the fly shop inside the park and they will let you know where the fish are biting and what they are biting.

I was up there a couple weeks ago. Fishing was s-l-o-w. The guys in the fly shop said the water was a bit warm yet. Should be better now, with this cold front having gone through.

I did catch a small (5-inch) rainbow. They said it was likely a native hatchling. I'll hire a guide next time I go up. I'm a fly fishing rookie right now, so I'll take all the help I can get.

Was there yesterday. Water is still high 60’s. Stop logs are out at swim beach but probably won’t be out at fly shop until after thanksgiving. I would suggest felt (cleats suggested) or if you have rubber be sure to use cleats. Fresh dumb stockers are always pretty easy to catch but there are always plenty of fish in the river to catch for the more experienced fisherman.

Remember new regulations and don’t forget the park and pay is now in effect

Am I asking a noobie question here -

What are stop logs?

They are the railroad/crossties that they place at swim bridge and fly shop bridge to back the water up. Right now all the swim area is dry and you can wade the whole area to the fly shop. When they pull the logs at the fly shop the day use area is wadeable. Opens up much more wadeable/fishable water

Fished at Beavers Bend today. Had a great time swinging soft hackles and slow-stripping a Deena. Lots of stockers and a few beautifully colored holdover rainbows up to about 14 inches.

Beautiful day. Beautiful scenery. Lots of people. Only a few fishing.

JR

Swim beach area?

TD, I sent you a PM.

JR