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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 – August 22, 2025
The Poudre is sitting pretty for late summer — clear, cold, and perfectly pockety. Flows have stabilized, clarity is strong, and the fish are tuned in to both hatches and terrestrials. Mornings bring steady trico spinner falls and light PMD activity, while afternoons shift to ants, beetles, and hoppers along the banks.
If you like technical dry-dropper fishing in tight canyon water, this is your spot right now.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Conditions Summary
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- Flow Rate: ~180 CFS (canyon stretch)
- Water Temp: ~56°F mornings, warming slightly by afternoon
- Air Temp: 62–82°F
- Clarity: Clear
- Best Times: 6:30–11 AM (hatches) & 5–8 PM (caddis/terrestrials)
- Fishing Pressure: Moderate (lighter in upper canyon)
- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cache la Poudre Hatch Chart
| Month | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Midges | Hoppers | Ants/Beetles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| July | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| August | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ |
| Sept | ✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Flies to Try – Poudre River (August)
Nymphs
- Sunken Trico 20–22
- Frenchie 18
- Pheasant Tail 18–20
- Hare’s Ear 16–18
- UV Black Midge 20–22
- Juju Baetis 20–22
Dries
- CDC Biot Trico Spinner 22–24
- Parachute Adams 18–22
- Amy’s Ant 14
- Black Beetle 16
- Elk Hair Caddis 14–16
- Sparkle Dun PMD 18–20
Streamers
- Mini Bugger (olive/black) 10–12
- Thin Mint 10
- Sculpzilla (olive) 8–10
Tips for Fishing the Poudre
- Morning: Focus on riffle tailouts with trico spinners; fish look up early.
- Afternoon: Hopper-dropper rigs along grassy banks keep action steady.
- Evening: Expect a caddis push right before dark.
- Rigging: Use long leaders, 5X–6X fluoro, and keep your casts tight to seams.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Park | Easy access, good for nymphing | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mishawaka | Productive evening caddis water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Poudre Falls | Pocket-water playground, light crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Upper Canyon | Small water, fewer anglers, technical dries | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Regulations & Notes
- Catch & release encouraged
- Barbless hooks recommended
- Expect some tubing traffic below the canyon mid-day
FAQs – Cache la Poudre River
Q: What’s the best hatch right now?
A: Tricos early, with PMDs mixed in mid-morning. Evenings see caddis activity.
Q: Is the Poudre wadeable at current flows?
A: Yes — at ~180 CFS it’s perfect for pocket-water wading.
Q: Are terrestrials in play yet?
A: Absolutely. Ants, beetles, and hoppers are producing well in the afternoons.
Q: Best rod setup?
A: A 9’ 4–5 weight is ideal; a shorter 3-weight for pocket water.
Q: How crowded is it?
A: Moderate. Lighter pressure in the upper canyon.
Q: Is wet wading safe?
A: Yes — flows and temps are perfect for wet wading right now.
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