coming prepared & FAQ’s
Boots cheering on some guest working some water above town
Winter preparation
Guest looking to come fish in the colder months should come prepared with layers and dress appropriately for the weather. Weather in early season fishing throughout the winter and spring can be volatile like anywhere in the Rockies. If its going to be cold I recommend bringing a shell of some kind to repel snow, rain and wind. Wearing adequate layers below a shell to stay warm is important too. I recommend fleece and down jackets if not both to stay warm for the anglers braving the elements of winter and spring fishing. Gloves of some kind are a must in cold weather! I recommend fingerless wool gloves, while they do tend to catch hooks (what gloves don’t thought haha) they allow anglers to have enough dexterity to successfully fish, while also providing warmth even when wet. If its really cold I recommend over sized work or ski gloves. Over sizing these allows more dexterity. If the gloves are a snug tight fit wrapping your palm and fingers around a fly rod all day will cause hand fatigue, but if you can get a hold of gloves that are big your hands won’t cramp as much. I’m only 5’9” 160 and I usually wear XL sized gloves. Warm hats and thick socks too! Obviously wearing appropriate footwear is crucial too, something that can handle a little bit of water and keep you warm will work fine. I know most of this is self explanatory but I like to avoid guest showing up in tennis shoes & sandals when its snowing!
I bring a dry bag I affectionately call the wardrobe for cold weather days. It contains extra layers, shells, handwarmers, warm hats & those big gloves I mentioned earlier. You are more then welcome to use any of my stuff to stay comfortable. I also usually have several pairs of old sunglasses you are welcome to use.
summer preparation
Guest looking to fish in the warmer months should also come prepared but you can leave the parkas! I highly recommend bringing a rain jacket shell. While we usually don’t need them its better to have it then not. Sunscreen is also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Theres a reason you see guides everywhere with sun hoodies! I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve suggested to people to put sunscreen on or to reapply and they don’t and one of one things happens…This is coming from a very pasty pale ginger too, respect the sun! Footwear as always is an important choice. Sandals, crocs, water shoes are all ok if it is warm enough just be logical. Sandals don’t grip the river bottom as well as wading boots do so be careful. Waders are usually overkill for summer months. Its just too hot for them most of the time. I frequently go swimming when we take lunch for example. So like dressing for the cold be reasonable and dress for the heat, no need to become too hot. But at the same time having an extra layer if we do get some weather is nice. Remember you can always take layers off.
As with colder months I bring plenty of extras for us all on the boat during summer and fall. I will have plenty of sunscreen, drinks and some rain jacket shells for you to use.
waders
The Reef fly shop has a few pairs of rental waders at our disposal but I recommend bringing your own. I would not rely on them having every size wading boot and wader available. If you do not have clothing suitable for wading we can still fish and keep you dry by using the boat but please keep in mind this is a river, not having waders significantly reduces the number of places we can get you in and out of the boat while keeping you dry. It is still very doable but it does put constraints on our ability to do so. The Reef Fly Shop sells Simms Waders if you are interested in purchasing some upon your arrival. While I STRONLY RECOMMEND WADERS in the colder months, they are by no means neccessary. I have plenty of guest who do not own waders that can fish out of my driftboat even when its cold, it just requires a bit of tweaking.
Young anglers & kids!!!
Felicity showing some brown trout whose boss on the Madison River in Montana
I am frequently asked about young anglers tagging along. The answer is always YES. My policy for having three full grown adults in the boat at a time is written below but I do make exceptions for young anglers under the age of 10. While this age isn’t concrete because its more of a size and weight issue, the size, weight and age of the third little angler is usually ironed out on a day to day basis. Kids are always welcome on the boat, Im very happy taking two kids at a time too, but if your wish is to have two adults and one kid in the boat, their size needs to be considered before being green lighted. Feel free to call me about this! Its an easy thing to figure out.
Young anglers are always encouraged to come fishing! When I lived in Boulder Colorado, I was lucky to be able to help instruct a kids fishing camp for Rocky Mountain Anglers. Kids ages 8 through 12 made up our camp. I learned that taking kids fishing can be one of the most rewarding guiding and teaching experiences. I noticed taking kids fishing requires a laid back approach. My motto always was if they want to build sand castles, we are going to build sand castles. I try to emphasize having fun more then catching as many fish as possible, but if those two are one in the same, then by all means keep casting! Not forcing kids to fish and letting them have fun with it is key. Letting them row the boat, go swimming, doing bug hunts among other things can usually add up to a very fun day for the kids.
three anglers in one boat
Having three adults in the boat has been discouraged by every outfitter I have worked for in Montana & Wyoming. When there is three adult anglers in the boat (4 total including me), one of the three anglers has to sit up front and not fish. Theres just not enough room in a drift boat for three people to fish at a time. The angler who is not fishing also has a way of being in the way of the other angler fishing out of the front too. On top of being in the way & affecting the row ability of the boat, these scenarios just don’t offer the quality of an experience I hope to help people have. So because of these factors I only allow 2 adult anglers in the boat for guided trips.
ABOUT ALCOVA
THE NORTH PLATTE FISHERY OF GREY’S REEF IS LOCATED IN ALCOVA, WYOMING ABOUT 30 MILES WEST OF CASPER WYOMING ON HIGHWAY 220. ALCOVA IS NICE AND QUIET, ONCE YOU’VE LEFT CASPER, THERE NOT MUCH HERE. ALCOVA HAS ALL THE NECESSITIES BUT NOT MUCH ELSE. at sloane’s general store (you cant miss it) you can get gas/diesel, BASIC GROCERieS & propane for you Rv’ers & campers. I always recommend HITting A GROCERY STORE IN CASPER IF YOU PLAN ON FEEDING YOURSELf. THE SUNSET BAR & GRILL HAS GOOD GREASY FOOD but thats about it. Sloane’s general store has breakfast burritos in the morning too.
What a normal night in Alcova looks like