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.

The Poudre in October feels like Colorado’s polite reminder that not all good things require a 4-hour drive. The air smells like pine and frost, the leaves crunch underfoot, and wild trout wait just upstream — suspicious, but still willing to listen if you say the right thing with your tippet.

• Flow: 70–90 CFS ⬇ (low and stable)
• Water Temp: 46–50°F ⬇
• Air Temp: 30–65°F
• Clarity: Clear to slightly tannic in shaded canyons
• Pressure: Light (locals only midweek)
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

With flows dropping and water crystal clear, the Poudre is in its quiet, technical phase. Trout are tucking into seams and deeper slots, feeding predictably on mid-day BWOs and midges. Expect slow mornings, a strong 11–2 window, and spooky fish that demand perfect drifts.

• Blue-Winged Olives (BWO): #20–22; strong 11 AM–2 PM window; fish emergers or soft hackles.
• Midges: #22–26; all day; olive and black are most consistent.
• Caddis: #18; fading but possible on warm afternoons in lower canyon.
• Tricos: #22–24; rare, but still appear early on calm, sunny days.

1. Hi-Vis BWO Parachute (#20–22):
   Rig: Single dry or dry-dropper with RS2 dropper on 6X tippet.
   How to Fish: Dead drift mid-day during hatch; use short, precise casts to avoid lining fish.
2. Griffith’s Gnat (#22–24):
   Rig: Single fly with light leader.
   How to Fish: Target slower slicks when midges are popping; watch for subtle sips.
3. Parachute Adams (#20):
   Rig: Indicator dry with small RS2 or Zebra Midge dropper.
   How to Fish: Great in transition water when fish feed mid-column.

1. RS2 (Gray or Olive #22):
   Rig: Dropper fly under a small BWO dry or light indicator; 12–18” between flies.
   How to Fish: Mid-column in riffles and tailouts; let it swing naturally at the end of the drift.
2. Zebra Midge (Black/Silver #22–24):
   Rig: Trail behind RS2 or WD-40.
   How to Fish: Focus on seams and slower pools during mid-day lull.
3. Pheasant Tail (#18–20):
   Rig: Anchor fly in a two-fly nymph rig.
   How to Fish: Tick bottom occasionally, especially in faster canyon water.

Mini Leech (Olive or Black #12–14):
Rig: 4X tippet, no indicator.
How to Fish: Short strips and slow swings in shaded edges; effective after light rain or overcast.

The Yampa River is a tailwater gem, especially in sections near Stagecoach Reservoir and Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area, is fishing exceptionally well. Midges and Blue-Winged Olives are hatching steadily, giving you plenty of opportunities for surface action. Whether you're nymphing or stripping streamers for aggressive browns, this river is primed for a productive day on the water, with autumn colors only adding to the experience.

The Yampa is whispering now - low water, golden banks, and trout that feel every shadow. This is the time for finesse, patience, and small flies that don’t insult their intelligence.

• Flow: Falling / low (tailwater stretch showing decreasing discharge)
• Water Temp: Cooling toward mid-40s / low 50s°F
• Air Temp: 32–64°F (wide swings)
• Clarity: Clear (high visibility demands stealth)
• Pressure: Moderate in town, lighter upstream
• Best Times: Late morning through dusk, dusk especially strong
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐☆
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

With flows dropping, the Yampa is pushing trout into tighter lies. Clear conditions make the fish wary - but the mid-day hatch windows and dusk skates are still giving chances.

• October Caddis (~#12–14): prime dusk skate + bank feeders
• BWOs (~#20–22): afternoon, especially under overcast skies
• Midges (~#22–26): always on - dependable when dries fade
• Tricos (~#22–24): possible early if mornings stay warm
• Scuds / small crustaceans: in deeper tailwater or near structure

• October Caddis Adult #12–14 - skated across the surface at last light
• BWO Parachute / CDC Thorax #20–22 - for afternoon emerging trout
• Elk Hair Caddis (tan) #16–18 - backup in riffles when fish look up

• Flashback Pheasant Tail #16–18 - solid all-purpose dropper
• Two-Bit Hooker (brown/olive) #16 - local favorite for depth and profile
• RS2 (gray/olive) #20–22 - especially when BWO is active above

Mini Dungeon / Bunny Leech #10–12 - use 4X–5X, swing through seams or slack edges

• Late day skate: use October Caddis or BWO skater flies tight to banks just before dusk.
• Mid-day subsurface: run dry-dropper or nymph rigs under indicator through runs hotspots.
• Streamer work: toss mini dungeons into slower pockets or deeper cuts, especially under overcast skies.

• Chuck Lewis SWA: best tailwater water, structurally rich, prime for all tactics
• Sarvis Creek area: upstream, lower pressure, good mid-day nymph water
• Town / Botanic Park stretch: easy access, good for short if time is tight
• Below Stagecoach Dam: tailwater control, steady depths & good for streamer play

• Artificial flies and lures only in many stretches.
• Watch for closures, especially near the tailwater below Stagecoach.
• Respect private access; know where public rights exist.

1. Is the Yampa still wadeable with low flows?
   Yes - but avoid crossing fast tongues or shallow run bottlenecks.
2. What’s the go-to rig right now?
   Dry-dropper with October Caddis or BWO dry plus a small nymph dropper.
3. Do streamers pull fish in this stretch?
   Yes - especially mini dungeons in deeper slack or murky edges.
4. Does crowding kill the bite?
   In town stretches, yes. Walk upstream or hit tailwater areas for calmer water.
5. What tippet sizes should I carry?
   5X–6X for dries/nymphs, 4X–5X for streamer work.
6. When is the best light window?
   Late afternoon to dusk - Caddis skate and low-light BWO chances live there.
7. How deep should my nymphs run?
   mid-column to near bottom in deeper runs (6–18" above bottom depending on depth).
8. Any closures to be aware of?
   Yes - specific stretches (e.g. tailwater segment) may be closed due to low flows or thermal stress.

Bear Creek, located near Morrison, Colorado, is a small but productive stream that offers a quick fishing escape for Front Range anglers. Known for its swift pocket water, deep pools, and healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout, Bear Creek provides a range of fishing opportunities.

October on Bear Creek feels like the front range’s best-kept open secret - just not this week. The crowds are gone (flows are still tiny), the air smells like leaves and cold coffee, and the trout are flashing in the seam. It’s small-fly season - and patience pays bigger than a streamer ever could here.

• Flow: ~18–22 CFS (⬇ below average)
• Water Temp: 46–50°F ⬇
• Air Temp: 34–68°F
• Clarity: Very clear
• Pressure: Light to moderate near Morrison
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐

Flows are skinny and the water’s glass-clear - perfect for technical fishing and sight casting. BWOs are steady on cloudy days, midges are producing in slow runs, and fish are stacked tight in deeper pools near structure. Small rigs and stealth are key to success right now.

• Blue-Winged Olives (BWO): #20–22; strong from late morning through early afternoon.
• Midges: #22–26; active all day; black and olive variations are best.
• Caddis: #18; rare but possible mid-day near riffles.
• Terrestrials: #16–18; fading fast; only worth a shot on sunny banks mid-day.

• Hi-Vis BWO Parachute (#20–22):
  Rig: Single dry or dry-dropper with RS2 dropper on 6X tippet.
  How to Fish: Drift naturally in soft seams mid-day; avoid drag with short casts.
• Griffith’s Gnat (#22–24):
  Rig: Single dry fly for slow slicks.
  How to Fish: Ideal during subtle midge rises; fish upstream and let it dead drift.
• Parachute Adams (#20):
  Rig: Indicator-style dry with small nymph dropper.
  How to Fish: Best in transitional riffles where BWOs and midges mix.

• RS2 (Gray/Olive #22):
  Rig: Two-fly setup under small yarn indicator; 5–6X leader.
  How to Fish: Drift mid-column through slower tailouts.
• Zebra Midge (Black/Silver #22–24):
  Rig: Dropper fly below RS2 or small split shot.
  How to Fish: Focus on deeper pools and shady seams.
• Pheasant Tail (#18–20):
  Rig: Anchor fly in shallow runs.
  How to Fish: Short, high-stick drifts through riffles during mid-day warmth.

• Mini Leech (Olive #12–14):
  Rig: 4X–5X tippet, no indicator.
  How to Fish: Cast upstream along banks, short strips through pocket water. Great option on cloudy afternoons.

Autumn in Colorado means one thing — the browns are angry and the rainbows are hungry. The leaves turn gold, the crowds vanish, and the water clears up just enough for a fish to see your mistakes in 4K clarity.

Streamer season isn’t for everyone. It’s for the hopeful, the patient, and the slightly deranged — the ones who believe that somewhere beneath that undercut, a twenty-inch brown is waiting to ruin a perfectly good morning.

If that sounds like you, here are the best fall streamer patterns for Colorado and how to fish them when the big fish finally stop pretending to be polite.

Forget fancy articulated monsters — the Thin Mint is the working-class hero of streamer fishing. It’s simple, balanced, and it gets chewed on every major Colorado tailwater and freestone alike.

Why it works:
The combo of peacock herl, brown, and olive makes it look like everything a trout wants to eat — leech, sculpin, baby trout, or just a bad attitude.

Best water:
Arkansas River near Salida, Clear Creek Canyon, and any pocket water that holds depth and current seams.

How to fish it:
Short strips, tight to structure. Or better yet — swing it through riffles at the end of a drift and let it pulse naturally. When it stops? Set the hook like you mean it.

Tired of tiny flies and invisible eats? The Mini Dungeon is a smaller, more castable version of the Drunk and Disorderly — and it moves like it’s had too much caffeine.

Why it works:
It pushes water, triggers predatory instincts, and has that articulated swagger that browns can’t resist once the spawn turns their brain into mush.

Best water:
The Blue River below Green Mountain, the Roaring Fork, or any section of the South Platte with deep runs and ambush points.

How to fish it:
Strip fast and erratic near drop-offs. Add pauses mid-retrieve — that’s when most strikes happen. Use a sink-tip line if you’re fishing deeper runs or tailouts.

Some days, the big bugs scare them off. Enter the Mini Leech — the fly that gets it done when browns are sulking and rainbows are opportunistic.

Why it works:
It looks like an easy meal — small enough not to spook, big enough to make it worth biting. The micro movement of marabou in cold water is deadly.

Best water:
Dream Stream, Cheesman Canyon, and any tailwater with spooky trout that have seen every streamer in the catalog.

How to fish it:
Dead drift under an indicator or slow strip it along the bottom. Olive or black is the move — simple, clean, and deadly effective.

A flash of gold in the current, a strip, a pause — and suddenly, chaos. The Goldie is the loudmouth cousin of the Thin Mint, and sometimes, it’s exactly what a trout needs to lose composure.

Why it works:
It looks like a baby rainbow, moves like one too, and the flash is irresistible in off-colored or low-light conditions.

Best water:
The Gunnison, the Yampa, and lower stretches of the Arkansas.

How to fish it:
Fish it with confidence — quarter-downstream, strip once or twice, and let it hang. Big trout hit it out of jealousy more than hunger.

Every Colorado angler has a Sculpzilla in their box, even if they pretend they don’t fish “junk flies.” It’s the heavyweight champ for deep water and fast runs — the perfect choice when everything else feels too polite.

Why it works:
It’s heavy, it dives, and it looks like a real meal. Trout that won’t rise for a midge will still body-check this thing.

Best water:
Frying Pan below Ruedi, the Colorado near Glenwood, or the lower Blue River.

How to fish it:
Swing or strip it deep through pools and tailouts. A sink-tip helps, but confidence and persistence help more.

• Clouds are your friend. Overcast days make trout bold — the perfect time for aggressive patterns.
• Mix it up. Don’t just strip — swing, twitch, dead drift, or even jig it along the bottom.
• Target structure. Big trout don’t live in flat water. Focus on log jams, boulders, and undercut banks.
• Fish early and late. Low light equals confidence — both for you and the fish

Welcome to Small Fly Season

By October, Colorado trout have seen everything.
They’ve been peppered with hoppers, buzzed by streamers, and laughed at your size-12 attractors since June. Now they’re spooky, selective, and laser-focused on small, natural nymphs.

Fall is when fly boxes shrink and drifts get cleaner. It’s when “just one more good cast” turns into “okay, one more hour.”

So if you’re ready to trade bravado for precision, here are the best fall nymph patterns for Colorado — plus the rigs and tactics that actually get eaten when the leaves are gone and the water runs thin.

The 3 Best Rigs for Clear Creek in October

Clear Creek in October is a test of patience, stealth, and your ability to tie 6X tippet with half-frozen fingers. The water’s low, the fish are selective, and every drift feels like a coin toss between glory and humility. But when you get it right — when that tiny indicator twitches or a brown rolls on your emerger — it’s pure fall magic.

Here are three rigs that actually get it done this month — no overcomplication, no Instagram wizardry, just the stuff that works when the canyon gets cold and quiet.

The most dependable Clear Creek rig once the leaves start to drop. BWOs rule the late-season hatch chart, and trout here have seen enough flashy nymphs to write reviews about them. A small baetis up front and a tiny midge trailing behind keeps things natural and believable.

Setup:

• Lead fly: Barr’s BWO Emerger #20–22 or a Foam Wing Emerger
• Trailer: Zebra Midge #22–24 or RS2 (gray or black)
• 6X tippet, light split shot if flows allow
• Drift through seams, riffle transitions, and slower tailouts

When to fish it: Midday to early afternoon, especially on cloudy days when BWOs pop and fish slide higher in the column.

Why it works: You’re covering two main fall food groups — small mayflies and smaller midges — while keeping your presentation whisper-quiet.

If it’s cold enough to see your breath, it’s midge season. These tiny bugs are the last buffet left open when everything else shuts down. The midge rig is minimalist — just you, a couple specks of tungsten, and a prayer.

Setup:

• Indicator: small foam or yarn (keep it subtle)
• Top fly: Mercury Black Beauty or Top Secret Midge #22–24
• Dropper: Zebra or JuJu Midge #24–26
• Light shot 6–8 inches above the first fly, 6X tippet

When to fish it: Early morning or late afternoon when the creek is glassy calm and nothing else is happening.

Why it works: Trout eat midges out of habit — they can’t not. You just have to make it look easy.

Pro tip: Most strikes look like nothing. If your indicator so much as blinks at you, set the hook like it owes you money.

When you’ve had enough of finesse fishing and want to wake up the canyon, it’s time for the micro-streamer swing. It’s aggressive, it’s fast, and it’s the only way to make a six-inch brown feel like a steelhead.

Setup:

• Fly: Mini Leech, Baby Bugger, or Micro Dungeon #10–12
• Tippet: 4X–5X to turn it over clean
• No indicator — you’ll feel it or you won’t
• Cast quarter-downstream, mend once, and let it swing through the seam

When to fish it: Late afternoon, cloudy days, or when your patience has left the building.

Why it works: Even small Clear Creek trout get territorial in fall. A leech or baby streamer drifting past their nose triggers instant attitude.

Pro tip: Don’t over-strip. Let the current do the work — short, sharp pulls and clean swings beat frantic rod-twitching every time.

• Keep your leaders long and your shadows short. These fish spook faster than a tourist seeing their first mountain lion.
• Move often. Ten quiet minutes in one pocket beats an hour where every rock’s been kicked twice.
• Don’t chase numbers. One solid brown on a #22 RS2 is worth ten dinks on a woolly bugger.

Bottom line:
Clear Creek in October isn’t easy, but that’s the point. It rewards subtlety, punishes laziness, and teaches you more about presentation than any other front-range stream. Rig light, fish slow, and enjoy the canyon while it still smells like fall.

1. The Classic Fall Double — Baetis Emerger + Midge Dropper
2. The Midge Marathon Rig
3. The “I’m Done Being Patient” Rig — Micro-Streamer Swing
Bonus Wisdom from the Creek

Welcome to Clear Creek, Colorado, where the trout are wily and the water is swift! This picturesque creek runs parallel to I-70 from Georgetown to Golden, offering easy access to some fantastic fly fishing spots.

October on Clear Creek feels like a reward for anyone who stuck it out all season. The water’s cold, the crowds are gone, and the browns are flashing in every seam. It’s small-fly season — where light rigs, quick reflexes, and a little luck make all the difference.

• Flow: 52 CFS near Golden ⬇
• Water Temp: 48°F steady
• Air Temp: 38–68°F
• Clarity: Crystal clear
• Pressure: Low (especially upstream of Idaho Springs)
• Best Times: 10 AM–3 PM (midday bite with BWOs and midges)
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

Low, clear, and cold — classic fall Clear Creek. Trout are active mid-day when sunlight warms the canyon, and a well-presented BWO emerger or midge will outfish anything flashy. Expect smaller fish to stay eager, with a few bruiser browns hiding tight to structure.

• Dry Fly: Hi-Vis BWO Parachute #20–22, Elk Hair Caddis #18
• Nymph: RS2 #22, Black Zebra Midge #22–24, Pheasant Tail #18
• Streamer: Mini Leech #10–12, Sculpzilla #10 olive

• Focus mid-day when the sun hits the canyon and bugs start to move.
• Smaller flies, longer leaders — 6X tippet makes a big difference.
• Don’t overlook pocket water; fish hold tight to structure.
• Dries can work if you’re stealthy, but nymphing rules most of the day.
• Hike away from road pull-offs — even a quarter mile makes a difference.

• State fishing license required.
• Most of the canyon is public, but check signage near private parcels.
• Catch-and-release recommended for all browns during the spawn.

• When does Clear Creek fish best in October?
  Midday, once the canyon warms up.
• What’s the best setup?
  Double nymph rig — RS2 and Zebra Midge with light split shot.
• Can you fish dries right now?
  Yes, BWOs mid-day and the occasional caddis near riffles.
• What’s the crowd level like?
  Low — mostly locals and a few road pull-off anglers.
• What tippet size should I use?
  6X for dries and nymphs, 5X for small streamers.
• Where’s the best fall section?
  Lawson to Georgetown — colder water, fewer people, staging browns.
• Do streamers work here?
  Occasionally, especially in deep pocket water near rock ledges.
• Is the creek still open to fishing year-round?
  Yes — Clear Creek is open year-round, though ice can form above Idaho Springs.

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.

Waterton Canyon on the South Platte River isn’t just another spot on the map, it’s a rite of passage for fly fishing enthusiasts. If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, this is the place. The canyon’s reputation as one of the most technical fisheries around isn’t just for show; it’s earned.

Waterton in October feels like Denver’s secret backcountry — cool mornings, canyon walls glowing gold, and trout quietly sipping midges like nothing else matters. The crowds thin, the fish smarten up, and the canyon gives you that rare mix of peace and precision.

• Flow: 92 CFS below Strontia Springs ⬇
• Water Temp: 52°F steady
• Air Temp: 40–70°F
• Clarity: Clear
• Pressure: Low–Medium (weekends busier near the dam)
• Best Times: 9 AM–2 PM (midday BWOs, midges all day)
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

Flows are low, clear, and ideal for light rigs. Cooler temps have midges and BWOs dominating, and fish are feeding predictably mid-column. Mornings can be slow, but once the canyon warms, trout slide into riffles and seams.

• Dry Fly: Hi-Vis BWO Parachute #20–22, CDC Trico Spinner #22–24
• Nymph: RS2 (gray) #22, Barr’s Emerger #20–22, Black Zebra Midge #22
• Streamer: Mini Leech (olive) #10–12, Thin Mint Bugger #10

• Midday BWOs are your best bet — fish riffles and tailouts once the sun hits the canyon.
• Keep leaders long (9–12 ft) and light (5–6X).
• Use small indicators or dry-dropper rigs for stealthy drifts.
• Afternoon shadows along canyon walls can trigger streamer takes.
• Bring a bike or good boots — the farther you walk, the better it fishes.

• Open sunrise to sunset, foot or bike access only.
• Catch-and-release encouraged.
• Respect bikers and hikers — multi-use trail.

• What time of day is best in October?
  Midday when the canyon warms and BWOs hatch.
• What’s the best rig right now?
  A light nymph rig: RS2 and Zebra Midge under a small indicator.
• Do streamers work here?
  Occasionally in shaded edges late afternoon.
• How’s the crowding?
  Light during the week, moderate on weekends.
• What tippet size should I use?
  5–6X for dries and nymphs, 4X for small streamers.
• Any dry fly action?
  Yes, BWOs mid-day and the occasional Trico rise early.
• Best section for beginners?
  Mile 2–3 — consistent structure and easy wading.
• Is the canyon open all year?
• Yes, though icy conditions can limit access in winter.