WadeCheck
Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.
Menu
All Colorado reports
Fly fishing report · West
Big Laramie River
A Colorado-side Big Laramie report focused on Hohnholz, Laramie River Road, remote meadow water, flow checks, and careful access planning.
Check flow & weatherToday's river scoreMedium source confidence
11
Limited data
Verify conditions before committing.
No live gauge is verified here. Use weather, recent rain, local reports, and conservative judgment before committing.
Updated Jul 13, 11:17 PM UTCLive sources checked regularly
Planning fallbackVerify locally
Mode guidance is provisional because current water conditions are not fully verified.
Bank / edgeCheck
This report does not describe this as a primary mode. Verify legal access, depth, launches, and retreat options before planning around it.
FloatCheck
A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
Confirm before you leave
Flow and weather right now.
Use the flow trend to confirm the score before you leave. Weather can change the safest and most productive fishing window.
Loading current flow and weather.
River strategy
Plan this as a remote Colorado headwaters trip.
The Big Laramie is a high-country plan, not a quick roadside city creek. Use the Glendevey gauge, Hohnholz SWA rules, and weather before committing because roads, storms, and access can matter as much as fly choice.
- Use the linked USGS monitoring page for Colorado-side flow context, but do not treat this report as having a verified live public gauge embed.
- Check Hohnholz SWA access requirements before parking or camping.
- Carry small dries, nymphs, and a light streamer selection for meadow and pocket water.
- Do not assume downstream Wyoming information applies to Colorado access and rules.
Why this score moved
HeatLowers score
The NWS forecast is near 88F. Without live water temperature, heat risk needs a conservative check.
FlowNot verified
No verified live public gauge is attached, so the page cannot make a strong real-time call.
Public alertUse caution
An Air Quality Alert is active near this forecast point, so the score is capped below great until smoke and access conditions are checked. NWS alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 13 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO.
SeasonHelps score
Summer: The main dry-fly and camping window when roads are open and flows remain cool.
Fishing usefulnessHelps score
Skip the trip when road conditions are muddy, lightning is building over the corridor, the Hohnholz access rules are unclear, or low warm water would turn a remote trout day into unnecessary fish-handling risk.
Read the water
What changes the plan.
The best Big Laramie days have clear water, open roads, and enough flow to keep trout comfortable. If storms, mud, or low warm water are in the forecast, choose a backup water closer to services.
Low meadow flow
Use stealth, small dries, and avoid walking through undercut banks or shallow holding water.
Good summer base flow
Dry-droppers, small nymphs, and attractor dries can cover bends, pockets, and meadow slots.
High snowmelt
Avoid unsafe crossings and look for calmer side water only if visibility is reasonable.
Storm or mud
Remote roads and lightning risk may be a bigger issue than fishing quality.
Field plan
Fish it with intention.
Best flows
Use the Glendevey trend as a warning tool more than a magic number. Stable clear summer flow is the best fit for pocket water and meadow edges, while runoff spikes or thin late-season water should push you toward a backup river.
When to skip
Skip the trip when road conditions are muddy, lightning is building over the corridor, the Hohnholz access rules are unclear, or low warm water would turn a remote trout day into unnecessary fish-handling risk.
Local plan
Pick one access objective before losing service: Hohnholz SWA if you want the clearest public framework, or the forest-road corridor if you are comfortable scouting meadow water carefully. Fish one stretch thoroughly instead of driving every visible bend.
Backup water
If the Big Laramie looks too muddy, low, or stormy, pivot to the Blue River for a colder tailwater backup or to Boulder Creek when a shorter Front Range small-stream plan makes more sense.
Hatches & flies
Bring a flexible box.
TimingWhat to watchUseful flies
Early seasonMidges, BWOs, small stonesZebra midge, BWO emerger, pheasant tail, stonefly nymph
Reviewed pattern · report says “Zebra midge”Zebra MidgeLook for a very slim tapered thread body, evenly spaced contrasting wire rib, a small bead, and no tail or wing. The reviewed classic is black with silver wire and a silver bead. Red, olive, brown, glass-bead, jig-hook, resin-coated, or tailed forms must remain labeled variations rather than replacing the classic identity.See photos & how to fish it ↗
Reviewed family · report says “BWO emerger”Blue-Winged Olive PatternsBWO describes a hatch group, not one fly. Nymph, emerger, dry, cripple, and spinner profiles must stay separate because they occupy different parts of the water column.See family guide ↗+ 2 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box SummerCaddis, PMDs, yellow salliesElk hair caddis, PMD, yellow sally, hare's ear
Reviewed pattern · report says “Elk hair caddis”Elk Hair CaddisLook for a tented elk- or deer-hair wing, clipped hair head, dubbed body, rib, and hackle palmered along the body. The body color should be labeled because tiers often match different natural caddis colors.See photos & how to fish it ↗
Reviewed family · report says “PMD”Pale Morning Dun PatternsPMD names an insect group, not one fly. Pale nymphs, trailing-shuck emergers, upright or low-riding duns, cripples, and spent-wing spinners stay visibly separate.See family guide ↗+ 2 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box Late summerTerrestrials, caddis, antsAnt, beetle, small hopper, caddis dry
Reviewed family · report says “Ant”Ant PatternsAnt patterns can be foam, fur-bodied, winged, or sunken. The narrow waist and paired body lobes matter more than one material recipe.See family guide ↗
Reviewed family · report says “beetle”Beetle PatternsBeetle flies range from simple foam shells to hair-bodied and sunken forms. A rounded back and compact profile distinguish the family from ants and hoppers.See family guide ↗+ 2 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box FallBWOs, midgesBWO dry, RS2, zebra midge, small streamer
Reviewed family · report says “BWO dry”Blue-Winged Olive PatternsBWO describes a hatch group, not one fly. Nymph, emerger, dry, cripple, and spinner profiles must stay separate because they occupy different parts of the water column.See family guide ↗
Reviewed pattern · report says “RS2”RS2Start with the beadless architecture: two dark-dun Microfibett tails separated behind a slim, tightly twisted and visibly segmented dubbed abdomen; a fuller thorax; and saddle-hackle web clipped into a short angled wing bud. Rim Chung's original-style form uses natural beaver dubbing and hackle web. CDC- or Antron-wing ties, beads, curved hooks, flash, and tailless Avatar-style flies must remain labeled variations.See photos & how to fish it ↗+ 2 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box 01
Define your route before you lose service.
02
Fish upstream and keep a low profile around meadow bends.
03
Use dry-droppers to cover water without constantly re-rigging.
04
Avoid stepping on soft banks and undercuts.
05
Have a backup plan if roads are muddy or thunderstorms build.
Access & responsibility
Know the entry. Know the exit.
CPW lists special rules for the Laramie River within Hohnholz SWA. Verify current artificial-only, bag-limit, access, and camping rules before fishing.
Hohnholz Lakes SWA
CPW-managed access with license or SWA pass requirements and specific camping rules.
Laramie River Road
Forest-road planning corridor where weather and road condition can decide the trip.
Glendevey gauge corridor
Useful flow reference for Colorado-side headwater planning.
Transparent sources
Check the facts behind the plan.
Last material review: 2026-05-31
Common questions
Before you leave.
Is this page about the Colorado or Wyoming Laramie River?+
It focuses on the Colorado headwaters and Hohnholz area. Wyoming sections need separate regulations and access planning.
Does the Big Laramie have a live gauge?+
Yes. USGS 06657500 near Glendevey is the best Colorado-side flow reference used here.
Do I need a pass for Hohnholz SWA?+
CPW requires a valid hunting or fishing license or SWA pass for many visitors age 16 and older. Check current CPW rules before going.
When should I avoid the trip?+
Avoid it when road conditions, lightning, runoff, or low warm water make the remote plan risky.