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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 2, 2025
Flow, clarity, and fish behavior are all firing on all cylinders in the Poudre’s canyon stretch this time of year. With stable flows and a robust mix of hatches and terrestrials coming through, technical anglers are in for a treat and well-positioned to outfish many of the usual weekend crowds.
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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 upstream in the canyon
Cache la Poudre Hatch Chart
| Month | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Midges | Hoppers | Ants/Beetles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | ✅ ✅ | ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| July | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ |
| August | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ ✅ |
| Sept | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Recommended Flies
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)
Tactical Tips
- Morning: Dial in on riffle tailouts with trico spinners; emerge PMDs by mid-morning.
- Afternoon: Switch to hopper-and-terrestrial dropper rigs along grassy banks.
- Evening: Gear up for a caddis push just before dark—long leaders and soft presentations are key.
- Gear Notes: 5X–6X fluorocarbon leader gets you the stealth edge in clarity-heavy water.
Access Points
| Location | Why Fish It | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Park | Easy access, consistent nymph action | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mishawaka Area | Prime evening caddis water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Poudre Falls | Excellent pocket water, fewer anglers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Upper Canyon | Remote, technical dry-fly water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
FAQs – Cache la Poudre
Q: What’s the top hatch right now?
A: Mornings are ruled by Tricos and mid-day PMD activity. Evening caddis shifts keep fish looking up.
Q: Are terrestrials working?
A: Absolutely. Ants, beetles, and early hoppers produce well along banks in the afternoon.
Q: Is it wadeable?
A: Yes—at ~180 CFS, it’s ideal for pocket-water wading.
Q: Best rod/reel setup?
A: A 9' 4–5 weight rod is perfect. A shorter 3-weight shines in tight canyon water.
Q: Any special regulations?
A: Catch-and-release is encouraged; barbless hooks recommended. Be aware of tubing traffic in lower canyon during the afternoon.
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