Blue River Fly Fishing Report – October Conditions, Hatches & Best Flies

The Blue River below Green Mountain is sliding into its fall groove: low, clear, and technical. At ~low fall flows, wading is wide open, but trout are spooky and selective. Expect Blue Winged Olive hatches under cloud cover and the occasional October Caddis fluttering late. This tailwater demands finesse—think small emergers, long leaders, and stealth approaches.

The Blue in October is like that friend who always looks calm but secretly judges your casting. Low, clear, and colder by the day, it rewards finesse and punishes ego. Tie small, fish light, and if you move a fish in town — buy yourself a lottery ticket.

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Conditions at a Glance

• Flow: 105 CFS below Dillon ⬇
• Water Temp: 46–50 °F ⬇
• Air Temp: 35–65 °F
• Clarity: Crystal clear, especially through Silverthorne
• Pressure: High in town, low upstream and below Green Mountain
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

Flows are skinny and clear — perfect for sight fishing, but unforgiving if your drift wobbles. The trout are educated from a summer of pressure, so think micro flies, long leaders, and surgical casts. BWOs dominate, with steady midge action when the sun’s high.

Hatch Chart – October

Download the Full Blue River Hatch Chart PDF

Top 3 Flies for the Month

• Dry Fly: Hi-Vis BWO Parachute #20–22, Griffith’s Gnat #22–24
• Nymph: RS2 #22, Barr’s Emerger #20–22, Orange Scud #16–18
• Streamer: Mini Leech #10–12 (olive or black), Baby Gonga #8–10

Tips Fly Fishing the Blue River

• Fish small — 6X tippet and flies #22–26 are standard fare.
• Sight fish when possible; stealth beats volume.
• BWOs after lunch, midges all day, scuds early and late.
• Downsize indicators or use dry-dropper setups for subtle drifts.
• Cloudy days are gold; sun makes everything harder.
• Below Green Mountain, step up one fly size and one tippet weight — the water’s a touch more forgiving.

Access Points

Local Regulations & Landowner Notes

• Artificial flies and lures only.
• Catch-and-release encouraged near Silverthorne.
• Watch private property near lower access points.
• Respect pedestrian and residential areas through town.

FAQ on this Spot

1. When is the best time to fish the Blue in October?
   Midday, once the sun hits the canyon and BWOs start hatching.
2. What’s the best setup right now?
   Two-fly nymph rig — RS2 with a small midge trailer.
3. How clear is the water?
   Crystal clear; stealth and long leaders are mandatory.
4. Do streamers work here?
   Occasionally in deeper runs or lower sections below Green Mountain.
5. Best flies near the dam?
   Orange scuds and small midges; trout feed heavily on dam-released food.
6. How bad are the crowds?
   High near the dam, light once you walk a few bends downstream.
7. Best section for beginners?
   Blue River SWA — good mix of runs and easier drifts.
8. Is the Blue River open year-round?
   Yes — flows remain stable as a tailwater fishery.

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