Fishing Report
Cache la Poudre River
Colorado's only Wild & Scenic River — updated weekly with current flows, hatch activity, and the best fly patterns for the Poudre River canyon.
Current Conditions
Updated WeeklyWhen fly fishing the Poudre River, conditions are everything. Check the USGS Stream Gauge page for current river flow data and the Poudre Canyon weather forecast for weather updates.
Cache La Poudre River (in town)
Gage Height: 2.39 ft
North Fork Cache La Poudre (mid-canyon)
Gage Height: 6.93 ft
Cache la Poudre Hatch Chart
| Month | Primary Bugs / Pattern |
|---|---|
| January | Midges Zebra Midges, Black Beauties, RS2s, WD-40s |
| February | Midges, small BWOs on mild days Zebra Midges, RS2s, Baetis nymphs, Rainbow Warriors |
| March | Midges, Blue-Winged Olives RS2s, Barr's Emergers, Baetis nymphs, Griffith's Gnats |
| April | BWOs, midges, early stoneflies Pheasant Tails, RS2s, small stonefly nymphs, Parachute Adams |
| May | Caddis, stoneflies, BWOs before runoff peaks Elk Hair Caddis, Prince Nymphs, Pat's Rubber Legs, Hare's Ears |
| June | Stoneflies, caddis, attractor season starting Pat's Rubber Legs, caddis pupa, Chubby Chernobyl, Prince Nymph |
| July | Caddis, PMDs in some stretches, terrestrials begin Elk Hair Caddis, PMD patterns, Chubbies, hoppers, ant patterns |
| August | Hoppers, ants, beetles, caddis Hopper-dropper rigs, beetles, ants, caddis dries, Perdigons |
| September | Caddis, BWOs returning, terrestrials lingering Caddis dries, small Baetis nymphs, hoppers, ants, RS2s |
| October | BWOs, midges, fall caddis in some sections RS2s, Pheasant Tails, Zebra Midges, small parachute dries, streamers |
| November | Midges, BWOs on select days Zebra Midges, Black Beauties, RS2s, Baetis nymphs |
| December | Midges Zebra Midges, WD-40s, Black Beauties, Rainbow Warriors |
River Overview
The Cache la Poudre River is one of Northern Colorado's most scenic and accessible fly fishing destinations. Flowing out of the high alpine lakes of the Front Range and through the rugged canyon west of Fort Collins, the Poudre offers miles of public water, healthy wild trout populations, and year-round fishing opportunities.
Much of the river runs through the protected landscape of Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, where anglers can fish classic freestone pocket water, deep canyon pools, and fast riffles that provide excellent trout habitat.
The river primarily holds wild brown trout and rainbow trout, with occasional cutthroat trout in higher sections and tributaries. Fish sizes vary depending on location, but anglers can expect plenty of willing fish in the 8–14 inch range, with larger trout present in deeper pools and less pressured stretches.
The Poudre fishes well throughout the year, though conditions change significantly with the seasons. Winter brings technical but rewarding midge fishing, while spring introduces Blue-Winged Olives and fluctuating snowmelt flows. Summer offers some of the most exciting fishing, with dry-dropper rigs and terrestrial patterns producing fish in fast pocket water. Fall is often considered one of the best times to fish the river, with stable flows and aggressive trout feeding before winter.
Access Points
Lower Poudre — Gateway to Mishawaka
The lower canyon stretch closest to Fort Collins offers the easiest access on the river. Classic freestone structure including riffles, runs, and deeper pools holds solid brown and rainbow trout. This section sees the most fishing pressure, but anglers willing to move between pull-offs can still find productive water.
Middle Poudre — Mishawaka to Rustic
Many anglers consider the middle canyon the heart of the river. The stretch between The Mishawaka and Rustic features classic pocket water, boulder gardens, and deep runs that hold healthy populations of wild trout. Access remains easy along the highway with a good balance of fish density and manageable pressure.
Upper Poudre — Rustic to Cameron Pass
Above Rustic the river becomes smaller, steeper, and more technical. The upper sections approaching Cameron Pass hold eager trout in tight pocket water. Fish are generally smaller but the scenery is outstanding and fishing pressure is lighter — great for solitude seekers.