Yampa River Fly Fishing Report – October Conditions, Hatches & Tactics

The Yampa River is a tailwater gem, especially in sections near Stagecoach Reservoir and Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area, is fishing exceptionally well. Midges and Blue-Winged Olives are hatching steadily, giving you plenty of opportunities for surface action. Whether you're nymphing or stripping streamers for aggressive browns, this river is primed for a productive day on the water, with autumn colors only adding to the experience.

 

The Yampa is whispering now - low water, golden banks, and trout that feel every shadow. This is the time for finesse, patience, and small flies that don’t insult their intelligence.

 

 

• Flow: Falling / low (tailwater stretch showing decreasing discharge)
• Water Temp: Cooling toward mid-40s / low 50s°F
• Air Temp: 32–64°F (wide swings)
• Clarity: Clear (high visibility demands stealth)
• Pressure: Moderate in town, lighter upstream
• Best Times: Late morning through dusk, dusk especially strong
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐☆
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

With flows dropping, the Yampa is pushing trout into tighter lies. Clear conditions make the fish wary - but the mid-day hatch windows and dusk skates are still giving chances.

 

• October Caddis (~#12–14): prime dusk skate + bank feeders
• BWOs (~#20–22): afternoon, especially under overcast skies
• Midges (~#22–26): always on - dependable when dries fade
• Tricos (~#22–24): possible early if mornings stay warm
• Scuds / small crustaceans: in deeper tailwater or near structure

 

• October Caddis Adult #12–14 - skated across the surface at last light
• BWO Parachute / CDC Thorax #20–22 - for afternoon emerging trout
• Elk Hair Caddis (tan) #16–18 - backup in riffles when fish look up

• Flashback Pheasant Tail #16–18 - solid all-purpose dropper
• Two-Bit Hooker (brown/olive) #16 - local favorite for depth and profile
• RS2 (gray/olive) #20–22 - especially when BWO is active above

Mini Dungeon / Bunny Leech #10–12 - use 4X–5X, swing through seams or slack edges

 

• Late day skate: use October Caddis or BWO skater flies tight to banks just before dusk.
• Mid-day subsurface: run dry-dropper or nymph rigs under indicator through runs hotspots.
• Streamer work: toss mini dungeons into slower pockets or deeper cuts, especially under overcast skies.

• Chuck Lewis SWA: best tailwater water, structurally rich, prime for all tactics
• Sarvis Creek area: upstream, lower pressure, good mid-day nymph water
• Town / Botanic Park stretch: easy access, good for short if time is tight
• Below Stagecoach Dam: tailwater control, steady depths & good for streamer play

• Artificial flies and lures only in many stretches.
• Watch for closures, especially near the tailwater below Stagecoach.
• Respect private access; know where public rights exist.

1. Is the Yampa still wadeable with low flows?
   Yes - but avoid crossing fast tongues or shallow run bottlenecks.
2. What’s the go-to rig right now?
   Dry-dropper with October Caddis or BWO dry plus a small nymph dropper.
3. Do streamers pull fish in this stretch?
   Yes - especially mini dungeons in deeper slack or murky edges.
4. Does crowding kill the bite?
   In town stretches, yes. Walk upstream or hit tailwater areas for calmer water.
5. What tippet sizes should I carry?
   5X–6X for dries/nymphs, 4X–5X for streamer work.
6. When is the best light window?
   Late afternoon to dusk - Caddis skate and low-light BWO chances live there.
7. How deep should my nymphs run?
   mid-column to near bottom in deeper runs (6–18" above bottom depending on depth).
8. Any closures to be aware of?
   Yes - specific stretches (e.g. tailwater segment) may be closed due to low flows or thermal stress.