Cache La Poudre River Report
Current Streamflow: 63 cfs @ Fort Collins, 97 cfs @ Canyon Mouth, 14 cfs @ North Fork below Seaman Reservoir.
Please be safe and respect the Cameron Peak Fire Burn Scar Region.
We have continued to see ice melting in the canyon and there is a lot more open water right now than most years in early March, so take advantage of it! Shaded parts of the canyon and some of the upper reaches still have ice on the river but there are plenty of fishable pockets to be found. The Poudre through town can be a great area to try in the winter months as well. Warmer temps in town and more sunlight keeps a lot of the river through Fort Collins open. Midges have still been the main bug hatching, but be on the lookout for small BWOs on the warmer days. Be sure to keep your fly and tippet sizes small this time of year to find more success. Patterns such as #18-22 Parachute Adams, #18-22 Eric's Hi-Vis Midge, and #18-20 Sprout BWO are great options to try if you see fish eating off the surface. Nymphing can be very effective and is a great option when there are no fish actively rising. Some patterns to try when nymphing include #20-22 T Midge, #20-22 Juju Baetis, and #18-22 BH Pheasant Tails. When fishing small nymph patterns, be sure to use a small strike indicator and light tippet to detect the often subtle bite. Once you find where one fish is sitting, there are probably a few more in that same spot.
The flows in Gateway will vary from day to day so be sure to check before heading out. If the cards align, a warm day with higher flows can produce some awesome dry fly fishing! When flows are low, fish can be a lot more spooky, so you may need to fish with lighter leader and tippet. Small midge patterns have been working best, along with some small streamer patterns.
The Poudre is our forte, so be sure to stop by or give us a call if you have any questions!
Dries: Parachute Adams #18-24, Mole Fly Brown/Olive #18-22, Griffiths Gnat #18-22, Eric's Hi-Vis Midge #18-22, Sprout Midge #20-22, Blue Wing Olive #18-22, Ext. Body BWO #18-22, Film Critic BWO #18-20,
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail #18-22, Jig Baetis #18, Two Bit Hooker Olive #16-18, Poison Tongue #18-20, T. Midge #20-22, UV Midge Black #20-22, Spanish Bullet Olive Dun #18, Copper Rib RS2 #18-20, RS2 #18-22, Zebra Midge #18-22
Streamers: Micro Sex Dungeon, Beldar Bugger #6, Sparkle Minnow Brown #8, Black Wooly Bugger, Slump Buster, Copper Thin Mint #6-12, Baby Swim Coach #4, Hot Head Leech #10
We have a Staff Selection of flies for the Poudre for Purchase HERE
The 2022 season on the Poudre was an absolute blast! Give us a call at (970) 498-8968 to book your guided trip.
For info on guided trips to the Poudre River, hit the LINK