Cache la Poudre River Fly Fishing Report – October Conditions, Hatches & Top Flies

Flowing through Colorado’s stunning Front Range, the Cache la Poudre River is a rugged, scenic waterway known as Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River.

The Poudre in October feels like Colorado’s polite reminder that not all good things require a 4-hour drive. The air smells like pine and frost, the leaves crunch underfoot, and wild trout wait just upstream — suspicious, but still willing to listen if you say the right thing with your tippet.

 

 

• Flow: 70–90 CFS ⬇ (low and stable)
• Water Temp: 46–50°F ⬇
• Air Temp: 30–65°F
• Clarity: Clear to slightly tannic in shaded canyons
• Pressure: Light (locals only midweek)
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

With flows dropping and water crystal clear, the Poudre is in its quiet, technical phase. Trout are tucking into seams and deeper slots, feeding predictably on mid-day BWOs and midges. Expect slow mornings, a strong 11–2 window, and spooky fish that demand perfect drifts.

 

• Blue-Winged Olives (BWO): #20–22; strong 11 AM–2 PM window; fish emergers or soft hackles.
• Midges: #22–26; all day; olive and black are most consistent.
• Caddis: #18; fading but possible on warm afternoons in lower canyon.
• Tricos: #22–24; rare, but still appear early on calm, sunny days.

1. Hi-Vis BWO Parachute (#20–22):
   Rig: Single dry or dry-dropper with RS2 dropper on 6X tippet.
   How to Fish: Dead drift mid-day during hatch; use short, precise casts to avoid lining fish.
2. Griffith’s Gnat (#22–24):
   Rig: Single fly with light leader.
   How to Fish: Target slower slicks when midges are popping; watch for subtle sips.
3. Parachute Adams (#20):
   Rig: Indicator dry with small RS2 or Zebra Midge dropper.
   How to Fish: Great in transition water when fish feed mid-column.

1. RS2 (Gray or Olive #22):
   Rig: Dropper fly under a small BWO dry or light indicator; 12–18” between flies.
   How to Fish: Mid-column in riffles and tailouts; let it swing naturally at the end of the drift.
2. Zebra Midge (Black/Silver #22–24):
   Rig: Trail behind RS2 or WD-40.
   How to Fish: Focus on seams and slower pools during mid-day lull.
3. Pheasant Tail (#18–20):
   Rig: Anchor fly in a two-fly nymph rig.
   How to Fish: Tick bottom occasionally, especially in faster canyon water.

Mini Leech (Olive or Black #12–14):
Rig: 4X tippet, no indicator.
How to Fish: Short strips and slow swings in shaded edges; effective after light rain or overcast.