Updated October 15, 2026

    Encampment River

    river in Wyoming

    The Encampment River flows from the Sierra Madre Mountains into the North Platte, known for its challenging access and rewarding fishing experiences in a rugged landscape.

    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    What's working on Encampment River

    1. 01Clear skies and cool 52°F temperatures mark the beginning of prime fall fishing on the Encampment River.
    2. 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are actively hatching, especially during the warmer parts of the day, with trout keying into both emergers and adults.
    3. 03October Caddis are likely to be present, offering opportunities for larger dry fly takes.
    4. 04Brown Trout are moving into their spawning phase, making egg patterns highly effective for opportunistic feeders.
    5. 05Deeper runs, pools, and structured areas are the primary holding spots for larger, more aggressive trout as water temperatures continue to cool.

    Past reports week by week

    9 weeks

    What to tie on

    Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.

    nymph

    Zebra Midge

    Midge pupa (Chironomidae)
    #18#20#22#24

    Midges are a consistent food source year-round, and this nymph is essential for trout feeding subsurface in the cooling waters of the Encampment River.

    Buy at Amazon
    dry

    Comparadun (BWO)

    Baetis adult
    #18#20#22#24

    Blue-Winged Olives are a key fall hatch. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults on the Encampment River.

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    streamer

    Woolly Bugger (Olive)

    #4#6#8

    As water temperatures drop in the fall, aggressive Brown and Rainbow Trout will actively chase baitfish and leeches, making this streamer highly effective on the Encampment River.

    egg

    Blood Dot Egg

    Salmon/trout egg
    #10#12#14

    Brown Trout typically spawn in the fall. Egg patterns are highly effective for opportunistic Rainbow and Brown Trout feeding behind spawning fish in the Encampment River.

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    emerger

    Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger

    #18#20#22

    BWO emergers are crucial during fall hatches, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from trout in the Encampment River.

    streamer

    Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)

    #14#16

    Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in the colder fall waters of the Encampment River, enticing strikes from larger trout.

    dry

    October Caddis (Dry)

    October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) adult
    #6#8#10

    Fall is prime time for October Caddis hatches in many western rivers, making this a relevant dry fly for opportunistic trout on the Encampment River.

    Buy at Amazon
    nymph

    Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph

    #14#16#18

    This is a versatile and effective general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects that are active subsurface year-round in the Encampment River.

    Where to fish and who to ask

    1Encampment Wilderness Section2Hog Park Reservoir Tailwater3Little Snake River Confluence
    Access
    1

    Encampment Wilderness Section

    Accessible via trails, this remote section offers solitude and a chance at truly wild trout in a pristine wilderness environment.

    41.172°N 106.772°WDirections
    2

    Hog Park Reservoir Tailwater

    Below Hog Park Dam, this section is known for consistent flows and good trout fishing, often accessible even when upper river is high.

    41.051°N 106.635°WUSGS 06634500Directions
    3

    Little Snake River Confluence

    The lower sections near the confluence with the Little Snake River provide diverse water and good holding lies for trout.

    41.280°N 107.030°WDirections

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    Wyoming season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Read before you go

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    Quick answers

    Common questions about Encampment River.

    What flies work best on Encampment River?

    Our top scored fly patterns for Encampment River right now are Beetle (Crowe) (80% confidence), Zebra Midge (80% confidence), Black Woolly Bugger (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.

    What fish species are in Encampment River?

    Encampment River holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.

    What are current flow conditions on Encampment River?

    Live USGS streamflow readings for Encampment River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.

    Is Encampment River fishing well right now?

    We publish a fresh bite report for Encampment River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.