The North Platte Hat Trick
Bill Worden

I first met Mark Boname at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver. He was there promoting his fly shop and guide service, as were many other outfitters.  The difference was he was only three hours away, not like the outfitters from Canada, Alaska, and even New Zealand. So I stopped by to meet him. 

He had a couple of his guides working in the booth with him and we had a nice chat. He told me I needed to come fish the Gray Reef area of the North Platte River, near Casper, Wyoming, as it was one of the best places in the country for trophy Rainbows.

Now, you have to keep in mind that I am the eternal skeptic and am not easily sold on many things. I’m thinking, if this is such a great place, why haven’t I heard of it before?

I have a friend that fishes Glendo Reservoir often, which is less than a half-hour from Casper, and he knew nothing about it so it can’t be that great.  But I took Mark’s card and thought I would investigate.

As I found time I checked out his website, read the testimonials, looked at the photos and decided this just might be the real deal, at least for the expert fisherman, and a novice like me might even be able to snag a few. So a month or so later I booked a float trip.

My investigation had told me that the Gray Reef is considered one of the best tailwaters in the Lower 48 for trophy Rainbows, Browns and Cutthroat ( it was recently voted #1 by American Angler Magazine for the top spot in the world for large fish.)

I’m still not buying this.

This is what I would consider a fairly large river, best fished by boat. In some stretches there is private land on both sides and limited access. I knew if I was going to have any chance here it had to be with a guide; a decision that proved to be most valuable.

I arrived in Casper the night before the trip and, of course, had to book my own hotel, knowing that the fly shop wouldn’t necessarily get me a better deal (later to find out their deal was 40% less!)  Since I didn’t know my way around Mark agreed to have one of his guides swing by in the morning and pick me up.

Greg was there right on time and we were off. During the 20-minute or so drive to the flyshop, Greg and I chatted about the fishing, etc., and he predicted that I would catch a lot of fish today. Now even though he told me he wouldn't be my guide, and I knew he wouldn’t have to back up his words, this is just not something a guide predicts!

It had been my experience that they might say the fishing is good, or has been good, but never that you will catch “a lot of fish.”

Well, upon arriving at the Platte River Fly Shop I was introduced to Gavin Bush, my guide for the day.

We got everything rigged, loaded up and headed for the river. I asked him about the put-in and he told me we were going to put in at Hartnett and take out at Robertson Road, a distance of about 10 miles.

I knew it! We weren’t even going to the Gray Reef!  I knew we would end up on "the river of excuses.” I quizzed him a little and Gavin said because it was a Saturday and that the fishing had been pretty good, the reef would be like “bumper boats.”  Ok, so no big fish and no huge numbers, but somehow we can figure out how to have a good time, as Gavin seems to be a nice guy.

We had left early so that should put us first on the water, hopefully giving us a chance for some action. On arriving at the put-in, there was another boat unloading already! Another guide from the same fly shop had also gotten out a little early and they were getting on the river first. As we prepared to launch I talked to the two clients on the other boat, a couple of guys from Denver, who tole me this was their second day. They had been to the reef the day before and said it was unbelievable.  One of them said he couldn’t even sleep last night, every time he dozed off, he heard his reel screaming as another big ‘bow took off!

He told me I would catch a lot of fish that day. What is it with these people? Do they all have to build me up, just to dash my dreams?  He actually predicted 25 fish in the net and close to 40 hookups?   And we’re not even at Gray Reef?

Well, we’re ready to go, so let’s just make the best of it. On the water, and Gavin said “lets go fishing” less than a minute later!  He points out the seam that he wants me to fish and I cast out and mend for a nice drift. About 30 seconds later, the indicator takes a dip and I set the hook on a very nice Brown, about 16 inches long. The other boat is not far away; they are actually fighting a fish as I look up and Gavin proclaims to all, “Brownie!”

Rainbows far outnumber Browns on this section, so catching one is a treat. And Gavin just loves to let the other guide, a good friend of his, know we have one.

About 10 minutes later as we're easing down the river, Gavin tells me to put my fly just upstream of the place we see a ditch pouring into the river. It is about 40 feet to my right, and I lay my fly about 10 feet upstream from the inlet.  We watch as the indicator floats gently by the ditch and then all hell breaks loose!  The indicator disappears and my reel screams as I watch my line go around the front of the boat, to the left and head upstream.

For the record, my fly fishing experience has been mostly mountain lakes and a few trips to the Colorado River catching rainbows up to about nineteen inches in length, not fish that are used to constant currents and that are extremely healthy.

My reel is still screaming and I instinctively palm the reel to get this thing slowed down a little as the line is disappearing fast.  Finally he slows and I learn immediately that the old saying that “a reel is nothing but a line holder” does not apply here.  On this river you have to have a good reel with a smooth drag, and you use it. No hand-stripping these fish in!  After a great fight the object of my struggles comes to the boat, and in the net lays a beautiful Cutthroat about 21 inches long. Man, what a fight! Netting him, Gavin admits his hands are shaking! Quickly we snap a picture and as soon as the net dips back in the water, he is gone with a flash. Of course, the announcement “Cutty!”  As we revel in the experience Gavin explains that on this river there are loads of rainbows (I have heard 5000 per mile in some sections), a few Browns, and a very few Cutthroats.

Anyone that is successful in catching all three species in one day is known to have scored a “Hat trick.” Among bragging rights and the other distinctions that go with this, the angler supposedly gets his name on the engraved plaque in the bathroom of the Platte River Flyshop!

I learn this is a really rare occurrence. Gavin has seen this four times in his six years on this river, and today we are guaranteed one.  Less than ten minutes later we land the first of many rainbows and the Hat Trick is complete; June 11, 2005.  The first three fish!

The rest of the day is more of the same, one after another; the healthiest, biggest, hardest-fighting fish I have ever seen smash a fly, fighting all the way to the net, then screaming away as soon as the fly is removed. The numbers? I lost count.  At least 25 in the net.  How many hookups?  At least 40.  A bent hook or two.  A knot that is stressed to the breaking point.  A few beautiful “rodeo releases” as the fish jumps up and spits the fly right back at you.

We are near the other boat from time to time during the day, and every time I turn around they are getting double hookups.  They too are enjoying the magic of the North Platte.

As we near the take-out, Gavin asks the time; about 3:00, earlier than he expected. He prepares to start rowing back upstream and I admit I’ve had enough. I can barely move my right arm. I am one happy angler.

Today we fished for numbers, most fish averaging 16-to-20 inches and way too many to count. On subsequent trips we fished farther downstream, using streamers, for size. Not nearly as many fish, probably 10 or 12 to the net but quality; many fish 4 and 5 pounds.

During the three hour drive home, I relive my first day on the North Platte. Beyond my greatest expectations, as my right arm lays limply in my lap. It actually hurts, a lot.

After three trips, I still haven’t seen the Gray Reef. But, when these guys say it’s time to go there we will.  Since then I have had friends come from as far away as Alabama to fish this awesome river and go home with memories of the greatest trout fishing of their lives.  

Is this river for real?   Follow me and find out!