The Poudre River is on fire this October - clear water, big BWOs, and light crowds.

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.

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Conditions Summary

This is as good as fall fishing gets - low, clear water, strong BWO hatches, and trout feeding with just enough urgency to make every drift count. Expect cold starts, warm midday windows, and subtle eats that’ll test your reflexes more than your cast.

• Flow: 70–90 CFS (⬇ slightly)
• Water Temp: 46–50°F (⬇ cooling trend)
• Air Temp: 32–64°F
• Clarity: Crystal clear
• Pressure: Light - locals only midweek
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐☆

Hatch Summary – October

• Blue-Winged Olives (#20–22): 11 AM–2 PM peak; emerger bite strongest on cloudy days.
• Midges (#22–26): all day; olive and black; steady producers.
• Caddis (#18): rare, but possible mid-afternoon lower canyon.
• Tricos (#22–24): fading, but early risers still key in calm weather.

Top Flies & Rigs for the Month

Dry Flies

1. Hi-Vis BWO Parachute #20–22:
   Rig: Dry-dropper with RS2 below.
   How to Fish: Short, precise casts into foam seams; light mends only.
2. Griffith’s Gnat #22–24:
   Rig: Single dry for slow slicks.
   How to Fish: Dead drift during midge activity; keep false casts minimal.
3. Parachute Adams #20:
   Rig: Lead dry for a two-fly setup.
   How to Fish: Perfect crossover when BWOs and midges overlap mid-day.

Nymphs

1. RS2 #22 (Gray/Olive):
   Rig: Dropper fly beneath small indicator or BWO dry.
   How to Fish: Mid-column in riffles; let it swing out at the end.
2. Zebra Midge #22–24 (Black/Silver):
   Rig: Trail behind RS2 or WD-40.
   How to Fish: Work deeper seams; subtle twitches often trigger takes.
3. Pheasant Tail #18–20:
   Rig: Anchor fly in two-fly rig.
   How to Fish: Tick bottom once every few drifts - that’s perfect depth.

Streamer

Mini Leech #12–14 (Olive):
Rig: 4X tippet; swing near cutbanks.
How to Fish: Short strips, long pauses. Cloudy day ticket.

Tips Fly Fishing the Poudre River

• Go light: 6X tippet, small flies, gentle casts.
• Focus on riffle transitions - trout feed where oxygen and food meet.
• Fish rise windows, not hours: 11–2 is king.
• Cloudy afternoons = bigger BWOs = less picky trout.
• Move often - the river rewards wanderers.

Access Points

• Gateway Natural Area: great riffle-pool structure; active BWO water.
• Picnic Rock: consistent mid-river section; good streamer depth.
• Greyrock Trailhead: smaller fish, total solitude.
• Above Rustic: tight canyon pocket water - dry-dropper heaven.

Local Regulations & Landowner Notes

• Artificial flies only in most sections.
• Respect private pull-outs between bridges.
• Flows ideal for wading; watch slick granite.

Special Note: Weather & Flow Patterns

A strong cold front last week cooled water into the upper 40s and triggered heavier BWO activity. Expect stable conditions for the next week with potential afternoon gusts; higher flows may spike briefly if mountain snow melts after sunny days.

FAQ on this Spot

1. When’s prime time? 10 AM – 3 PM, especially on cloudy days.
2. Best rig right now? BWO dry-dropper with RS2 or Zebra Midge.
3. Crowding? Light - locals midweek, hikers weekends.
4. Streamer bite? Slow but real on dark afternoons.
5. Tippet? 6X dry, 5X nymph.
6. Can you wade easily? Yes - just watch slick rocks.
7. Fish species? Wild browns + rainbows.
8. Any closures? None - all sections open.

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