Cache la Poudre River
river in Colorado
Easily accessible from Fort Collins, the Poudre River is a popular freestone destination known for its scenic beauty and diverse trout fishing opportunities.
River running clear and at typical fall levels
- 01River running clear and at typical fall levels.
- 02Active subsurface feeding on midges and Baetis nymphs.
- 03October Caddis hatches offering dry fly opportunities.
- 04Brown Trout spawning makes egg patterns highly effective.
- 05Focus on pocket water, runs, and deeper pools, targeting current seams and undercut banks.
- 06Pay attention to subtle takes when nymphing and consider dry-dropper rigs.
- 07Swing streamers through deeper areas for aggressive trout.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blood Dot Egg
Fall marks the spawning season for Brown Trout, making egg patterns highly effective for opportunistic feeders.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a significant hatch in fall on freestone rivers, making this a prime dry fly for rising trout.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
A versatile mayfly nymph imitation, effective year-round and particularly good for prospecting in fall flows.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Fall BWO hatches occur, especially on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonJujubaetis
Baetis (BWO) nymphs are highly active subsurface during fall hatches.
Buy at AmazonPMD (Pale Morning Duns)
PMD hatches can be active in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent food source in colder water year-round, especially in fall.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
Streamers are excellent for enticing aggressive, territorial trout in the cooling waters of fall, imitating baitfish or leeches.
Where to fish and who to ask
Big South Trailhead Area
Access to wilder sections of the Poudre, offering solitude and strong wild trout.
Poudre Canyon (Lower Sections)
Various pull-offs and public access points along Highway 14 in the lower Poudre Canyon.
Fly shops within 40 miles
St. Peter's Fly Shop
Get Cache la Poudre River reports by email
Every Thursday: conditions, hatches and what's working across Colorado, with Cache la Poudre River at the top.
Colorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Cache la Poudre River.
What flies work best on Cache la Poudre River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Cache la Poudre River right now are Blood Dot Egg (80% confidence), San Juan Worm (80% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Cache la Poudre River?
Cache la Poudre River holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Cache la Poudre River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Cache la Poudre River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Cache la Poudre River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Cache la Poudre River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.