Cache La Poudre River

Please be safe and respect the Cameron Peak Fire Burn Scar Region.

Flows in the Poudre Canyon continue to fall as we as begin to slowly crawl into the winter. Cold overnight temps and cool days are beginning to produce quite a bit of ice along Poudre Canyon. In the higher elevations you may still see a few open pockets of water on the warmer days, but with the drop in temps and the recent snowfall, we are seeing quite a bit of ice up and down the canyon. With the snow and warmer temps on the way, these next few days are great days to get out and hit the water! With the warmer temperatures and a bump in flows, you may see your favorite spot begin to open back up! If your favorite holes are still locked up, focusing on other sections of the Poudre will not only offer open water, but also maybe even a little warmer temperature as we begin the month of December. With the drop in both water and air temps, we are starting to see the fish reflect the changes in their behavior. Dry fly fishing has slowed down and until the sun hits the water, and starts to get fish moving around more actively. If you find yourself in the canyon early in the morning, keep you eyes out for small midges flying around he waters surface. Cold water temps in the early mornings will keep fish moving fairly slowly, so nymphing the deeper runs and pools will be your best bet in producing fish. If fish are spooky due to the clear water, tie on a Copper Ribbed RS2 #18-22, or a Split Foam Back #18-22, as a emerger pattern behind your dry fly. This is a great way to fish delicate presentations to fish that are sipping flies just below the waters surface. If you are fishing with this delicate technique, keep your eyes locked on your dries, because the takes can be delicate when flies are presented this way. If you aren't seeing fish taking dry flies, nymphing is still going to be your best way to produce fish throughout the canyon. A size #18-20 Red Copper John, or a size #18-20 Flashback Pheasant Tail, are great mayfly imitations and have both been great patterns to help us find fish. A #18-22 Juju Baetis is also a great fly to follow behind your lead nymphs. This slim Baetis imitation is a great way to target fish that are focused in on the Blue Winged Olive Nymphs. During this time of year, fish are still looking to pack on those pounds to prepare for the long winter months ahead. If you want to try something new, or try to find a few larger fish, streamers have been a great way to find aggressive fish after you've worked over the water with your dries and nymphs.

The North Fork of the Poudre River in Gateway and The Poudre River through Fort Collins can fish very well during winter, however flows in both of these fisheries have not been ideal recently. Before considering fishing either of these sections of the river, make sure you check flows to determine if it will be productive and healthy for the fishery. Recently, the north fork in gateway has been suffering from exceptionally low flows, consider forgoing fishing this section if the flow is below 6 cfs. A good flow for the Poudre in town is anything above 15 cfs, with some of the best fishing and most runs opening up around 35 cfs. Work water meticulously, because the right drift could produce the fish you've been waiting for. With the drop in temperatures over the last week, the bug life has changed as well. Focus on watching the water before you step in. Keep your eyes out for some Blue Winged Olives, if you see these little mayflies emerge, a Winger Para. BWO #18-20 is a great dry fly to use for picky fish who are starting to show their noses. A small Parachute Adams #18-20, or a #18-22 Griffiths Gnat are great flies to either trail your BWO pattern, or to try and target spooky fish. If you don't see fish rising a #18-20 Juju Baetis is a slim, and simple fly to get in front of difficult fish. Follwoing behind with a @18-22 Copper Ribbed RS2 is a great way to not only fish two different water columns, but to also find fish that are eating flies just below the surface. During the fall period, fish will also become very aggressive in anticipation for the winter months ahead. If you aren't seeing much activity with your dries or nymphs, clean through a run or pool with a streamer or two, A #4 White Peanut Envy is an aggressive patterns to target aggressive fish! A #6-12 Thin Mint is also a great smaller streamer pattern to trick fish into thinking that they can attack your fly wish confidence! Don't forget when fishing streamers to strip set, this will help your connection to the fish and allow you to get more fish into the net! Stop by the shop or call so we can answer any questions you have about fishing The Poudre River.

Dries: Ext. Body BWO #18-20, Winger Para BWO #18-20, CDC Thorax BWO #18-20, Para. Adams #18-22, Eric's Midge #20-22, Sprout Midge #18-24, Griffiths Gnat #18-22

Nymphs: Prince Nymph #14-18, Pheasant Tail #16-22, Rainbow Warrior #18-22, Juju Midge #18-22, Poison Tung #18-20, Zebra Midge #18-22, Hares Ear #18-20, UV Midge #18-20

Streamers: Micro Sex Dungeon, Beldar Bugger #6, Sparkle Minnow Brown #08, Articulated Goldie, Black Wooly Bugger, Slump Buster, Copper Thin Mint #6-12, Baby Swim Coach #4, Hot Head Leech #10

For any questions on how to tackle the Poudre whether it's location, rigs, or flies stop by either shop before you head out.

To Book your guide trip please contact the shop at (970) 498-8968.

Please be safe and respect the Cameron Peak Fire Burn Scar Region.

Flows in the Poudre Canyon continue to fall as we as begin to slowly crawl into the winter. Cold overnight temps and cool days are beginning to produce some edge ice along Poudre Canyon. In the higher elevations you may still see a few open pockets of water on the warmer days, but with the drop in temps and the recent snowfall, we are seeing ice throughout the canyon. Focusing on other sections of the Poudre will not only offer open water, but also maybe even a little warmer temperature as we begin the month of December here shortly. With the drop in both water and air temps, we are starting to see the fish reflect the changes in their behavior. Dry fly fishing has slowed down and until the sun hits the water, and starts to get fish moving around more actively. When you do start to see fish rise, keep your eyes out for some small Blue Winged Olives. Once you start to see the hatch taking place, a size #18-22 CDC Baetis Dun is a great delicate imitation for these small mayflies. If you find yourself in the canyon early in the morning, keep you eyes out for small midges flying around he waters surface. Cold water temps in the early mornings will keep fish moving fairly slowly, so nymphing the deeper runs and pools will be your best bet in producing fish. If fish are spooky due to the clear water, tie on a Copper Ribbed RS2 #18-22, or a Split Foam Back #18-22, as a emerger pattern behind your dry fly. This is a great way to fish delicate presentations to fish that are sipping flies just below the waters surface. If you are fishing with this delicate technique, keep your eyes locked on your dries, because the takes can be delicate when flies are presented this way. If you aren't seeing fish taking dry flies, nymphing is still going to be your best way to produce fish throughout the canyon. A size #18-20 Red Copper John, or a size #18-20 Flashback Pheasant Tail, are great mayfly imitations and have both been great patterns to help us find fish. A #18-22 Juju Baetis is also a great fly to follow behind your lead nymphs. This slim Baetis imitation is a great way to target fish that are focused in on the Blue Winged Olive Nymphs. During this time of year, fish are still looking to pack on those pounds to prepare for the long winter months ahead. If you want to try something new, or try to find a few larger fish, streamers have been a great way to find aggressive fish after you've worked over the water with your dries and nymphs.

The North Fork of the Poudre River in Gateway and The Poudre River through Fort Collins can fish very well during winter, however flows in both of these fisheries have not been ideal recently. Before considering fishing either of these sections of the river, make sure you check flows to determine if it will be productive and healthy for the fishery. Recently, the north fork in gateway has been suffering from exceptionally low flows, consider forgoing fishing this section if the flow is below 6 cfs. A good flow for the Poudre in town is anything above 15 cfs, with some of the best fishing and most runs opening up around 35 cfs. Work water meticulously, because the right drift could produce the fish you've been waiting for. With the drop in temperatures over the last week, the bug life has changed as well. Focus on watching the water before you step in. Keep your eyes out for some Blue Winged Olives, if you see these little mayflies emerge, a Winger Para. BWO #18-20 is a great dry fly to use for picky fish who are starting to show their noses. A small Parachute Adams #18-20, or a #18-22 Griffiths Gnat are great flies to either trail your BWO pattern, or to try and target spooky fish. If you don't see fish rising a #18-20 Juju Baetis is a slim, and simple fly to get in front of difficult fish. Follwoing behind with a @18-22 Copper Ribbed RS2 is a great way to not only fish two different water columns, but to also find fish that are eating flies just below the surface. During the fall period, fish will also become very aggressive in anticipation for the winter months ahead. If you aren't seeing much activity with your dries or nymphs, clean through a run or pool with a streamer or two, A #4 White Peanut Envy is an aggressive patterns to target aggressive fish! A #6-12 Thin Mint is also a great smaller streamer pattern to trick fish into thinking that they can attack your fly wish confidence! Don't forget when fishing streamers to strip set, this will help your connection to the fish and allow you to get more fish into the net! Stop by the shop or call so we can answer any questions you have about fishing The Poudre River.

Dries: Ext. Body BWO #18-20, Winger Para BWO #18-20, CDC Thorax BWO #18-20, Para. Adams #18-22, Eric's Midge #20-22, Sprout Midge #18-24, Griffiths Gnat #18-22

Nymphs: Prince Nymph #14-18, Pheasant Tail #16-22, Rainbow Warrior #18-22, Juju Midge #18-22, Poison Tung #18-20, Zebra Midge #18-22, Hares Ear #18-20, UV Midge #18-20

Streamers: Micro Sex Dungeon, Beldar Bugger #6, Sparkle Minnow Brown #08, Articulated Goldie, Black Wooly Bugger, Slump Buster, Copper Thin Mint #6-12, Baby Swim Coach #4, Hot Head Leech #10

For any questions on how to tackle the Poudre whether it's location, rigs, or flies stop by either shop before you head out.

To Book your guide trip please contact the shop at (970) 498-8968.