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Blue River Below Green Mountain – October Report: BWOs & Technical Fall Fishing

  • October 1, 2025
Tymothe Meskel

Blue River Fly Fishing Report near Green Mountain Resevior

The Blue River below Green Mountain is sliding into its fall groove: low, clear, and technical. At ~low fall flows, wading is wide open, but trout are spooky and selective. Expect Blue Winged Olive hatches under cloud cover and the occasional October Caddis fluttering late. This tailwater demands finesse—think small emergers, long leaders, and stealth approaches.

 

Conditions Summary

rise beyond fly fihsing company in denver colorado a guide rating for a stream. Good is 5 trout. This rating is for 3 trout. So good or semi challenging fishing conditions.

  • Flow Rate: low autumn release (~variable, controlled tailwater)
  • Water Temp: cool tailwater outflow — trout-friendly all day
  • Clarity: clear, glassy — fish see everything
  • Best Times: midday cloud cover (BWO hatches) and dusk (October Caddis)
  • Primary Hatch: BWOs (#18–20), midges (#20–24), October Caddis (#12–14)
  • Crowds: light-moderate — fewer anglers in cooler fall weeks
  • Confidence: 60% — conditions steady but technical fishing
  • Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (solid, but technical and time-windowed)

SILVERTHORNE WEATHER

Listen to the Podcast!

Colorado_Blue_River_Tailwater_Secrets__7X_Tippet,_Tiny_Flies,_a
14:57

 

 

Hatch Chart – October at the Blue River (below Green Mountain)

Midges — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blue Winged Olives — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October Caddis — ⭐⭐
PMDs (stragglers) — ⭐

Note: BWOs dominate when clouds settle in. October Caddis can provide some bigger dry opportunities at dusk, but expect picky trout.

 

Blue River Hatch Chart

 

head waters of the colorado river fly fishing location near winter park

 

Flies to Tie On

Dries / Terrestrials

  • BWO Parachute (#18–20)
  • October Caddis Adult (#12–14) — skate near banks
  • Griffith’s Gnat (#20–22)

Nymphs / Emergers

  • RS2 (gray/olive, #20–22)
  • WD-40 (#20–22)
  • Two-Bit Hooker (#18) — Pro pick
  • Black Beauty (#22–24)

Streamers

  • Slumpbuster (olive or black, #8–10)
  • Thin Mint Bugger (#10)
 

Tactical Playbook

  • Midday cloud cover: single BWO dry on 6X; target slicks and tailouts.
  • All-day subsurface: long leader, 6X–7X, RS2 or WD-40 on light weight.
  • Evening swing: October Caddis skated or swung bugger across seams.
  • Streamer probe: low-light hours, especially in deeper runs and canyon shade.
  • Rig Note: 10–12 ft leaders, delicate presentation mandatory in this technical tailwater.

Access & Flow Zones

  • Below the dam: cold, consistent flows, technical sight-fishing.
  • Bridge pullouts: mid-river runs and ledge pools.
  • Public tailwater stretches: limited but productive; cover water slowly.
  • Downstream canyon runs: deeper seams hold bigger browns in fall.

8 FAQs – Blue River Below Green Mountain

  1. Is wading safe at current flows? Yes, flows are low and very wadeable.
  2. Best hatch right now? BWOs under cloud cover, midges consistent all day.
  3. Any chance at dry-fly action? Yes, BWOs midday and occasional October Caddis.
  4. Leader length? 10–12 ft with 6X or 7X for nymphs.
  5. Best fly to start with? RS2 or WD-40 in #20–22.
  6. Streamer game worth it? Yes, especially evenings—slumpbusters and thin mints.
  7. Crowd factor? Moderate—less pressure than Deckers or Dream Stream.
  8. Are fish spooky? Extremely. Expect sight-fishing conditions—move carefully.

Animas River (1600 x 900 px) (12)

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