My Gig:
I am currently an outfitter (North Platte Drifters) permitted with
the B.L.M. and U.S. Forest Service to fish the North Platte and
Encampment Rivers. Guiding over 200 days a year on this river
allows me to see and experience the treasures this river holds. I
feel lucky to be able to offer a wide variety of trips that
show-case these treasures. From the exhilarating white-water of
the upper river on the Colorado border to the slower flats
around Casper and all the waters between.
This land has historical significance that dates back to the
Jurassic period and beyond. Dinosaur bones have been found
less than 10 miles from the Grey Reef Dam, fossils and minerals
are found up and down the river system, along with Indian and
Settler artifacts. Several Trails had to cross the North Platte
including the Oregon, Mormon, Overland, and of course the
Native Americans used these waters for hundreds of years
before these trails ever reached the banks.
the B.L.M. and U.S. Forest Service to fish the North Platte and
Encampment Rivers. Guiding over 200 days a year on this river
allows me to see and experience the treasures this river holds. I
feel lucky to be able to offer a wide variety of trips that
show-case these treasures. From the exhilarating white-water of
the upper river on the Colorado border to the slower flats
around Casper and all the waters between.
This land has historical significance that dates back to the
Jurassic period and beyond. Dinosaur bones have been found
less than 10 miles from the Grey Reef Dam, fossils and minerals
are found up and down the river system, along with Indian and
Settler artifacts. Several Trails had to cross the North Platte
including the Oregon, Mormon, Overland, and of course the
Native Americans used these waters for hundreds of years
before these trails ever reached the banks.
My Experience:
I began guiding in Saratoga Wyoming in May of 2001. I started
with Great Rocky Mountain Outfitters and was taught the river by
guys who had been fishing it for 30-50 years. This is where I paid
some dues and learned to put on a top notch trip.
I had no intentions of making this a career but have fallen in love
with this lifestyle and have enjoyed the people I've met. I
appreciate the scenery, conversations, but most of all the
moment and I think it shows in my guiding. I realize that each and
every day I get in my boat it's a special day.
I have over 1000 guided trips and get frequent compliments on
my knowledge of this river and it's fish. I know where fish are
and can say that with 110% confidence.
I know all the guides up and down this river and work well
around them all. The guides have formed an association at Grey
Reef and the attitudes of local guides towards other local guides
has improved. The upper waters are less pressured than the
lower and it's easier to get space between guides to get that
isolated feel.
with Great Rocky Mountain Outfitters and was taught the river by
guys who had been fishing it for 30-50 years. This is where I paid
some dues and learned to put on a top notch trip.
I had no intentions of making this a career but have fallen in love
with this lifestyle and have enjoyed the people I've met. I
appreciate the scenery, conversations, but most of all the
moment and I think it shows in my guiding. I realize that each and
every day I get in my boat it's a special day.
I have over 1000 guided trips and get frequent compliments on
my knowledge of this river and it's fish. I know where fish are
and can say that with 110% confidence.
I know all the guides up and down this river and work well
around them all. The guides have formed an association at Grey
Reef and the attitudes of local guides towards other local guides
has improved. The upper waters are less pressured than the
lower and it's easier to get space between guides to get that
isolated feel.
Rob Peddie
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Rob Peddie
March - April : Grey Reef ... rainbow spawn. Big fish on nymphs.
Easy & rewarding fishing. Great place to learn or knock off the
rust. We'll also start fishing the upper Platte around the second
week of April though the water is still in the upper 30's low 40's.
May - June : Grey Reef cut-throat spawn beginning. Water
warms up and bugs begin to hatch. Streamers, nymphs, and
dries are all effective. The upper Platte fishes real well just
before run-off. The water warms up and the caddis and midges
start to hatch. Salmon flies and Stones start to hatch the last
week of May and into June depending on water. Pmd's, Stones,
and Caddis hatch just as run-off subsides. Green Drakes show
themselves toward the end of June. The magical two months.
July - August : Upper Platte... Technical and awarding. The warm
water offers early morning dry fly opportunities with fish sipping
Trico's. Grey Reef is normally too hot and mossy but the water
below Casper is clear and fishes well most the day with Trico's,
leeches, and san juans. The alpine mountain streams and lakes
of the Snowy Range offer countless brook trout on dries. A great
place to bring the family for a safe day in the mountains.
Sept - Oct : Upper Platte water begins to cool and the Trico's are
replaced by Bwo's as the main bug hatch. Fishing improves daily
as the days get shorter and the nights get cooler. If there is
enough water to float Bennett it is the best float in the state late
September to early October. The fishing around Casper is
fantastic with bigger fish on average than the upper river and
more consistent hook-ups. The most beautiful time of year.
Nov - Dec : Fishing around Casper and Grey Reef can be great.
Normally bigger fish, including browns, are caught during these
months. The days are short and the wind is brisk but with the
right gear and a few breaks the fishing is worth it. There is
nothing like a crisp, clear, blue-bird day on the river.
Easy & rewarding fishing. Great place to learn or knock off the
rust. We'll also start fishing the upper Platte around the second
week of April though the water is still in the upper 30's low 40's.
May - June : Grey Reef cut-throat spawn beginning. Water
warms up and bugs begin to hatch. Streamers, nymphs, and
dries are all effective. The upper Platte fishes real well just
before run-off. The water warms up and the caddis and midges
start to hatch. Salmon flies and Stones start to hatch the last
week of May and into June depending on water. Pmd's, Stones,
and Caddis hatch just as run-off subsides. Green Drakes show
themselves toward the end of June. The magical two months.
July - August : Upper Platte... Technical and awarding. The warm
water offers early morning dry fly opportunities with fish sipping
Trico's. Grey Reef is normally too hot and mossy but the water
below Casper is clear and fishes well most the day with Trico's,
leeches, and san juans. The alpine mountain streams and lakes
of the Snowy Range offer countless brook trout on dries. A great
place to bring the family for a safe day in the mountains.
Sept - Oct : Upper Platte water begins to cool and the Trico's are
replaced by Bwo's as the main bug hatch. Fishing improves daily
as the days get shorter and the nights get cooler. If there is
enough water to float Bennett it is the best float in the state late
September to early October. The fishing around Casper is
fantastic with bigger fish on average than the upper river and
more consistent hook-ups. The most beautiful time of year.
Nov - Dec : Fishing around Casper and Grey Reef can be great.
Normally bigger fish, including browns, are caught during these
months. The days are short and the wind is brisk but with the
right gear and a few breaks the fishing is worth it. There is
nothing like a crisp, clear, blue-bird day on the river.
