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October on the South Platte is a sly month. The air cools, the cottonwoods glow gold, and the trout? They’re suddenly picky little professors grading your presentation. This isn’t July hopper-dropper season — it’s surgical fishing with flies so small you’ll wonder if you need tweezers instead of forceps.
Still, October can deliver some of the best fishing of the year if you know what to tie on. Let’s unpack the flies that get eats when the water drops and the trout tighten their belts.
Listen to the Podcast!
Why October Fishing on the Platte Is Tricky (and Rewarding)
- Dropping Temps: Water temps sink into the 40s — trout metabolism slows, so your drifts must be deliberate.
- Shrinking Insects: Gone are the size 12 stoneflies; midges and micro Baetis rule the menu.
- Brown Trout Spawn: Aggressive browns hit streamers, but respect redds (leave spawning fish alone).
- Light & Clouds: Overcast October days = BWO magic hours. Sunny days = midge marathon.
In other words: smaller flies, thinner tippet, and patience.
Top Flies for the South Platte in October
| Category | Fly Pattern(s) | Size | Best Use | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midge Nymphs & Emergers | Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Top Secret Midge, RS2 | 20–26 | Drift deep with 6X or 7X in slow seams | Midges are the daily bread of Platte trout. |
| BWO / Baetis Dries & Emergers | Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, Stalcup’s Baetis, Parachute Adams (slim) | 20–24 | Cloudy afternoons, fish emerger before the dry | BWOs pop in October; trout prefer half-hatched emergers. |
| Scuds & Eggs | UV Scud (olive/tan), Micro Egg | 18–22 | Tailwaters below reservoirs | Bonus protein when bugs thin out. Eggs shine during brown trout spawn. |
| Streamers | Slump Buster, Baby Gonga, Mini Leech | 6–10 | Overcast or stained water; swing or strip slowly | Opportunistic browns won’t pass up an easy meal. |
| Wild Cards | Griffith’s Gnat, JuJuBee Midge | 22–26 | When nothing else works | Tiny, simple patterns for ultra-picky risers. |
How to Fish These Flies
- Midge Rigs: Double nymph rig — Mercury Midge or RS2 trailing behind a slightly larger scud or egg. Tiny split shot, light indicator.
- Dry-Dropper: On BWO afternoons, float a Parachute Adams with a Foam Wing Emerger 18 inches below.
- Streamer Game: Low light? Slowly swing a dark Slump Buster through deeper runs. Think finesse, not strip-set fury.
- Stealth Mode: Long leaders (10–12 ft), 6X or 7X tippet, careful wading. The Platte is as technical as it gets.
Angler Pro Tips for October Success
- Check Water Temps: Below 38°F, it’s midge-only land.
- Watch for Redds: Don’t step on or target spawning beds. There are plenty of aggressive fish off the redds.
- Cloudy = Baetis, Sunny = Midges: Match your flies to the sky.
- Pack Extras: You will lose midges. They’re basically dust with hooks. Bring backups.
FAQs
What tippet should I use in October?
Go light — 6X is standard, 7X for size 24–26 flies.
Can I still fish dries in October?
Yes — BWO hatches on cloudy days can bring fish up. Otherwise, it’s mostly subsurface.
Are streamers worth it this late in the year?
Yes, especially for browns pre-spawn. Keep retrieves slow and low.
What about caddis?
By October, caddis are fading fast. Stick with midges and BWOs.
Where should I fish?
Deckers, Cheesman Canyon, and the Dream Stream are prime. Look for slower seams, tailouts, and soft edges.
If You Could Only Bring Six Flies for October on the Platte
- Mercury Midge (size 22–24)
- RS2 or Barbless Gooey Midge (22)
- Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger (22–24)
- Stalcup’s Baetis (22)
- UV Scud / small olive scud (20–22)
- Slump Buster / small brown streamer (6–8)
Fish 1–3 deep in slower seams; present #4 dry if you see rises; strip #6 where structure allows. Adjust on the fly (pun intended).
Tight lines, light tippets, and may your October arms ache from constant cas
