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Flowing through Colorado’s stunning Front Range, the Cache la Poudre River is a rugged, scenic waterway known as Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River.
Cache la Poudre River Fly Fishing Report (September 11, 2025)
The Poudre is running lean with late-summer flows around 70 CFS, crystal clear in the canyon, and fishing best in the mornings before temps rise. Tricos are still hanging on, midges fill the gaps, and terrestrials along grassy banks produce surprises. The fishing window is short, but dialed-in presentations get rewarded.
At-a-Glance Conditions
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Rating: — good early, but technical with short bite windows
Flow (CFS): ~70
Water Temp: 62–65°F afternoons
Air Temp: 70s–80s°F afternoons
Clarity: Clear
Best Times: 6:30–10:30 AM
Fishing Pressure: Moderate — busiest near Fort Collins access points
Top Flies: Trico Spinner #22 | RS2 #20 | Amy’s Ant #14
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
We cover why mornings matter, how terrestrials keep trout looking up, and what rigs are working best in this skinny Wild & Scenic tailwater.
Weather Snapshot
[Embed NOAA/OpenWeather for Fort Collins]
Source: OpenWeather / NOAA
Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Aug | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sept | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | — | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Flies for the Cache la Poudre
- Dry Fly Setup: Trico Spinner #22, 9’ 6X leader.
- Nymph Setup: RS2 #20 below a Zebra Midge #22, 18” apart, 6X fluoro.
- Streamer Setup: Micro Leech (olive) #12, stripped through deeper runs.
- Pro Rig (Guide’s Pick): Hopper-dropper with Amy’s Ant #14 + RS2 #20.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Parking | Wading | Crowds | Overall | Map Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Section | Easy access, small runs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | [Map] |
| Poudre Canyon | Classic riffles, canyon scenery | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | [Map] |
| Upstream Forks | Quieter, technical sight fishing | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | [Map] |
Extended FAQ – Cache la Poudre
Q: When’s the best time to fish the Poudre in September?
A: Early mornings for Tricos and midges; terrestrials hold through mid-day.
Q: What flies are working best right now?
A: Trico spinners, RS2s, Zebra Midges, and ants.
Q: Where can I park for access?
A: Gateway access near Fort Collins, canyon pull-offs, and forks further upstream.
Q: Is it crowded?
A: Yes near town; quieter upstream.
Q: Any special regs?
A: Catch-and-release encouraged, barbless hooks recommended. Afternoon temps can stress fish—quit fishing once water climbs past 67°F.
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