March 2023 - 23

Wildlife watching is another benefit when experiencing the North Platte River. (Photo by Lisa Ballard)
Below Seminoe Reservoir in the North
Platte's tailwater ecosystem, the river has the
opposite problem - not enough sediment.
" Impounded rivers become sediment
hungry, " Hahn said. " Tailwaters want to
turn a river into a featureless ditch. We're
trying to identify those problem areas and
fix them. "
According to Hahn, dams stop sediment.
When a river doesn't have sediment, it scours
and down cuts. In healthy, freestone rivers,
there's a balance of mass in and out, which
moves the fine sediments out, clearing the
gravel beds where trout spawn. That's why
Game and Fish works with the Bureau of
Reclamation to periodically flush the river.
" It's not just about the fish, " Hahn said.
" Ninety-eight percent of all species in the
North Platte ecosystem depend upon the
river at some point in their life cycle. From
an economic standpoint, it brings in millions
of dollars, and there are no boom-and-bust
cycles. People always want to come here to
fish. It's a world-famous destination. "
As Anderson and I worked our way down
the river I caught a few more fish, but also
caught sight of an impressive number of
swallows, a pair of bald eagles, a dipper and
numerous ducks and geese. At one point,
three deer swam across the river in front
of us. The wildlife watching entertained us
between strikes and snow squalls. However,
by midafternoon my hands were so numb I
could no longer feel my rod to cast properly.
" I've had enough, " I said to Anderson.
" I'm freezing. "
NORTH PLATTE TIPS
Thousands of anglers fish the North Platte
River each year. Here are some things to
keep in mind all the time, but especially
on a crowded day, to ensure a good experience
on the water and to do what's best
for the fish:
Prep your boat before launching: Be
ready to launch when you back down the
ramp, then move your boat and the trailer
out of the way to allow the next person to
use the ramp.
Keep moving: Whether you're wading
or floating, fish a spot for a reasonable
period then move on. Don't hog
a hole. Everyone deserves a chance,
and boat jams are no fun. Don't back
row incessantly to get the other fellow
to move.
" Good timing. We're at the pull-out, " he
replied, swinging us toward a boat launch
about 100 yards downriver.
We pulled the boat out of the water, then
cranked up the heat inside his truck. What
a birthday, I thought. I was cold and tired,
but delighted for the opportunity to fish the
North Platte, a river with a rich history and
numerous nuances.
- An award-winning writer, photographer and a longtime
contributor to Wyoming Wildlife, Lisa Ballard has
fished throughout the Rockies in every season. www.
LisaBallardOutdoors.com
Wyoming Wildlife | 23
Give others space: Especially if you're in
a boat and another angler is wading.
Be friendly: After all, fishing is ultimately
about enjoying time on the water, every
aspect of it.
Use barbless hooks: There may be a lot
of fish in the river, but they get caught a lot.
Barbless hooks are less intrusive and easier
to release from fish.
Leave the fish in the water: Whether
hooked or in a net, keep fish in the water
as much to increase its chance of survival.
Handle fish thoughtfully: Wet your
hands to preserve their protective slime.
Don't squeeze them, and let them go
quickly.
Don't touch a fish's gills: Fish breathe
through their gills. Enough said.
- By Lisa Ballard

http://www.LisaBallardOutdoors.com

March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2023