.png?width=300&height=100&name=Copy%20of%20Rise%20Beyond%20Logo%2012.31.24%20(300%20x%20100%20px).png "Rise Beyond Fly Fishing Co. logo featuring a cowboy riding a large trout, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a camera in the other, with stylized text in a rugged, outdoor-themed font")
.png)
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.
Listen to the Podcast!
Conditions Summary
%20(4).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(4).png)
- 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.
%20(12).png?width=800&height=450&name=Animas%20River%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(12).png)
RIVER WHISPER | SPOT FINDER | NEW!
Where to fish today! Tired of fly shops feeding you outdated, half-baked reports just to push gear? Us too. That’s why River Whisper exists—to cut through the noise and give you real, up-to-date, no-BS fly fishing reports for Colorado.
-1-1.png)
