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The Cache la Poudre doesn’t need to shout - it whispers. October here is quiet, golden, and perfectly balanced between crisp mornings and blue-winged afternoons. The crowds are gone, the trout are wild, and the water sounds like someone exhaling after a long summer.
It’s the time of year when the canyon road smells like wood smoke, and your guides freeze before your coffee cools.
But if you hit it right, the Cache la Poudre still rewards you — small flies, steady drifts, and wild trout showing off fall colors before winter sets in.
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Conditions Summary
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Flows around 75 CFS ↓, clear water, cold mornings, and steady mid-day action.
Water temps 40–46 °F, air temps 25–58 °F, clarity excellent.
Fish are holding in deeper pools and feeding mid-day on small BWOs and midges.
Flow: 75 CFS ↓
Water Temp: 40–46 °F
Air Temp: 25–58 °F
Clarity: Clear
Pressure: Light
Best Times: 11 AM – 3 PM
Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer Score: ⭐⭐
Conditions Note:
Late fall fishing on the Poudre means short feeding windows — slow drifts and soft presentations are key. Look for fish in tailouts and deep canyon bends where the current slows.
Hatch Chart
- Blue-Winged Olives #20–22 | 11 AM–2 PM | Overcast days best for surface eats
- Midges #22–26 | All day | Consistent subsurface activity in slow seams
- Small Stones #18–20 | Midday | Occasional movement through riffles
Top Flies for Late October / Early November
Dry Flies
- Parachute Adams #20 – Versatile BWO imitation for afternoon hatches
- Matt’s Midge #24 – Works when fish sip in slow eddies
- Griffith’s Gnat #24 – Good cluster fly in calm water
Nymphs
- Juju Baetis #20 – Perfect for midday drifts through deep slots
- Black Beauty #22 – Staple winter midge trailer
- Zebra Midge #22 (Red or Black) – Reliable all-day subsurface choice
Streamer
- Micro Leech #12 (Black) – Drift or slow strip near canyon walls late in the day
Tips for Fishing the Poudre
- Focus on mid-day warmth; early morning is ice and shadows.
- Target deeper runs and slow edges near structure.
- Use long leaders (10–12 ft) and 6X tippet for clean drifts.
- Walk light — the canyon amplifies sound, and fish are skittish.
- Expect a small bite window but great color and solitude.
Access Points
Gateway to Rustic: Easy roadside access with steady flows and deep bends.
Lower Canyon (Picnic Rock area): Mild gradient, great wading water.
Mishawaka to Kinikinik: Technical drifts but bigger, more aggressive trout.
Above Rustic: Low water, skinny runs — sight-fishing possible mid-day.
Local Regulations & Notes
Artificial flies and lures only.
Catch-and-release encouraged.
Be cautious of ice forming in shaded canyon sections.
Check CPW Fishing Reports and USGS Poudre Flows before heading up.
FAQ
Q: Is the Poudre still fishing this late in the season?
A: Yes — limited windows but solid mid-day action with BWOs and midges.
Q: Any ice forming yet?
A: Light edge ice in the mornings that melts by mid-day.
Q: What’s the best rig right now?
A: Juju Baetis to Black Beauty on 6X fluoro with micro indicator.
Q: Can I fish streamers?
A: Yes — slow swings through deeper bends can draw aggressive browns.
Q: Is the upper canyon worth it?
A: Only during warm spells; water temps dip fast up high.
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