This time of year the water is low. Fish a brown or vanilla conehead bugger (bite me bugger) on a floating line with a 9' leader and a large split shot abut 12" above the fly. Case upstream and "swim" the fly by lightly lifting the rod up and down to impart action. Also, try fishing it totally dead-drift under and indicator about 6 or 8 feet and either no split shot or a couple small ones. You can fish two flies with this arrangement, good choices to go with the bugger are otter eggs, orange scuds, or red midge larva.

A sink tip or head will work in the bigger holes but the water is kind of "pockety" up there I think you'll do better with the floater, the heavier lines will tend to drag on boulders in places. Personally, I've done a lot better on the Platte fishing a floating line, your experience may vary.

Check with the guys at North Platte fly shop for conditions and flies. They have a great website. If the mile is slow fish the reef. Be ready for some seriously cold angling you'll want gloves, tons of fleece, warm hats etc. the wind is brutal up there.

Best,

-John

[This message has been edited by ktokj (edited 07 November 2005).]