Northern Colorado
Fly Fishing
Guide & Reports
Your source for river conditions, hatch reports, and fly recommendations for the Poudre River, Big Thompson, North Platte, and Horsetooth Reservoir.
Current Conditions
Current Conditions
Current Conditions
Live River Reports
Cache la Poudre
LowBig Thompson
FishableNorth Platte
LowHorsetooth Reservoir
StillwaterUSGS gauge data — refreshed every 15 minutes. Always verify before heading out.
Where to Fish
Northern Colorado Waters
From wild canyon rivers to stillwater reservoirs, each fishery offers a distinct experience.
Cache la Poudre River
Colorado's Only Wild & Scenic River
Big Thompson River
Technical Fishing in a Storied Canyon
North Platte River
World-Class Tailwater in Colorado's Sage Country
Horsetooth Reservoir
Stillwater Streamer Fishing Above Fort Collins
Hatch Report
What's Hatching in September
Blue Winged Olive
Baetis (BWO)
Sizes: #18–24
Dry: Parachute BWO
Nymph: Pheasant Tail
Best on overcast, drizzly days. Hatches often occur mid-afternoon. Look for rising fish in slower pools and eddies.
Midge
Chironomid
Sizes: #20–28
Dry: Griffith's Gnat
Nymph: Zebra Midge
Year-round staple. Critical in winter when few other insects are active. Look for midging fish near the surface in slow water.
Trico
Tricorythodes
Sizes: #20–26
Dry: Trico Spinner
Nymph: Trico Nymph
Early morning (7–10am) spinner fall creates incredible midge-like rises. Tiny flies require fine tippet (6x–7x). Best on the North Platte and lower Poudre River.
Caddis
Brachycentrus / Rhyacophila
Sizes: #14–18
Dry: Elk Hair Caddis
Nymph: Beadhead Caddis
Caddis are everywhere from late April through October. Evening hatches can be phenomenal. Skating a dry across the surface often triggers explosive strikes.
Hoppers, Ants & Beetles
Terrestrials
Sizes: #8–14
Dry: Dave's Hopper
Nymph: N/A
Mid-summer through early fall. Cast hoppers tight to grassy banks. Ants and beetles are great searching patterns throughout the day.
From the Blog
Latest Reports & Guides
How to Read a River: Pools, Riffles, Runs & Pocket Water
Understanding river structure is the single most important skill a fly angler can develop. Before you tie on a fly, you need to know where the fish are holding — and why.
Streamer Fishing Horsetooth Reservoir for Trophy Trout
Most anglers overlook Horsetooth as a serious trout fishery, but float-tubing streamers along the rocky western shoreline can produce some of the biggest brown trout in Northern Colorado.
North Platte Trico Fishing: Colorado's Best Kept Secret
The North Platte's morning Trico spinner falls from July through September are some of the most challenging and rewarding dry fly fishing in the state. Here's how to crack the code.