Fly Fishing the Cache la Poudre River

Updated November 14, 2026. 4 min read.

Water

Freestone river through Poudre Canyon and Fort Collins; Colorado's only National Wild and Scenic River

Drive from Denver

About 1 hour 15 minutes to the canyon mouth via I-25 and US-287

Access

Pull-offs along CO-14 in the canyon, Gateway Natural Area, and city parks on the Poudre River Trail in town

Regulations

Statewide rules on most of the lower river; catch-and-release, flies-and-lures-only stretches farther up the canyon

Best for

Pocket water for browns and rainbows, an easy day from north Denver

Season

Year-round in the lower canyon; best late summer and fall after runoff

Fees

Gateway Natural Area: $8 per vehicle, card only; most highway pull-offs are free

Dogs

Leashed dogs at Gateway and on city trails

Overview

The Poudre runs out of the mountains just northwest of Fort Collins, and CO-14 follows it for most of the canyon, so access is easy: pull off and fish. The lower canyon is pocket water full of browns and rainbows, mostly small to medium. In town it slows down and runs along the Poudre River Trail, with city parks and natural areas on the bank.

Where to fish

• Lower canyon: the first miles of CO-14 above the US-287 junction (Ted's Place) have the most pull-offs. Gateway Natural Area, about 15 miles from town, has parking, restrooms and access where the North Fork comes in.
• Middle and upper canyon: farther up, the river gets bigger and more remote, with campgrounds and Forest Service access. Some of this water has special rules; see below.
• In town: city parks and natural areas along the Poudre River Trail, such as Lee Martinez Park. Slower, warmer water; best in cooler months.

Regulations

Most of the lower river follows statewide rules. Higher in the canyon, the stretch from the Pingree Park Road bridge down to the west boundary of Hombre Ranch is artificial flies and lures only, catch and release, and there are other special sections upstream near Big Bend and below Rocky Mountain National Park. Boundaries are signed; check the CPW Fishing Atlas before you fish a new stretch.

When to go

• Fall (September to November): low, clear water and active browns. The best time on the lower river.
• Winter: fish the lower canyon midday on calm, sunny days. Deeper, slower pools hold the fish. Watch for ice on the shady stretches and the road.
• Spring: blue-winged olives and midges before runoff; the river rises fast once snowmelt starts, usually by late May.
• Summer: big runoff into early July, then good dry-dropper fishing. CO-14 is busy with rafters and campers on weekends.

Flies and rigs

Most days, a dry-dropper or a two-nymph rig covers it: a beadhead pheasant tail or hare's ear #16-20 under a small indicator, plus a small Adams or parachute dry when fish rise. In winter, go smaller with midges and fish slow water. Short, accurate drifts behind every boulder beat long casts here.

Questions anglers ask

Can you fish the Poudre in winter?

Yes, in the lower canyon. Fish midday in the slower, deeper pools with small nymphs and midges.

Is there a fee to fish Gateway Natural Area?

Yes. A daily pass is $8 per vehicle, sold onsite by card only. It's open dawn to dusk.

Is the Poudre catch and release?

Only in certain stretches. The lower river follows statewide rules; the section from the Pingree Park Road bridge to Hombre Ranch and a few others upstream are flies and lures only, catch and release.

How far is Poudre Canyon from Denver?

About an hour and 15 minutes to the canyon mouth.

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