My son will be in scout camp for the week, and I think I can sneak off for a day or 2 to the nearby river for a bit of fishing. I’m going to be at the Cache La Poudre near Red Feather Lakes, Co in mid-July. Anyone been up in this area during that time that can give me an idea of what flies I need to tie up and what size ranges they should be in?
I’ve never been in that particular area, so any other info would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance.
Hi ol’ blue,
good time to fish colorado! you should see midges 18 -20 black and olive, caddis 12 - 18 olive and tan, rusty spinners in a.m. size14-20, and golden stones 6-12,and a fair number of terestrials hoppers 8-12, ants 14-20. green drakes 10-12. I have not fished this river information is from a hatch chart. i could scan it for you and email it to you if you would like,just p.m your address
PM on the way. 
just sent the chart.sorry it is a little blurry.if it is not readable i will try again.
Ol’ Blue:
I live in Fort Collins and fish the Poudre quite frequently - mostly I use an Elk Hair Caddis (#14 - 16), hoppers & ants, smallish wooley buggers (#8-10 olive or black), some type of nymph (hare’s ear or pheasant tail) and the odd soft hackle.
Lots of people go real small midges and other hatch matching, if that’s your thing, I see them with #24 midges pretty frequently.
If you want, shoot me a message and I’ll tell you about a few of the better and less crowded spots or heck, I’ll even head out with you one day if you want.
Paul
Hey old Blue – I really can’t add much to what these folks said about Poudre flies, all sounds good to me, only that I have the best luck nymphing with an indicator or dry and dropper. Not an easy river to get fish out of, but try the less-popular areas – up higher on the highway, and down lower in the narrows and below. Be careful of the regs, there are restricted stretches.
I live under 10 minutes drive from a little-known tributary of the Poudre, the ‘little’ south fork. Drop me a line via PM or email, I can give you my phone number, directions, and meet you there on about 20 minutes notice. Gets away from the crowds on the big stream. Lots more fish, but they are smaller–but if the big river frustrates you I’ll see what I can do to put you onto some fish!
DANBOB
I’ll be at Ben DeLaTour from July 19 through the 25th. I think I’ll be able to sneak out for a day or 2 at least, and will try to get with you guys to do a bit of fishing. I’ll give you a yell when I get closer to time and we can swap out numbers or set up a time to meet. I’d love to meet some more FAOL guys on the water. Events lately have me making the effort to get together with guys from the site and not put it off for later.
I do a lot of fishing with a nymph and indicator, and have had good luck in the past with EHC’s so I’ve got a good start that way.
From what I know of the Poudre, what has already been said is spot on. You might want to stop in to St. Pete’s flyshop on the way up. They usually have the best and most current info unless you know someone who was on the water the day before. http://www.stpetes.com/ Angler’s Roost is also good http://www.anglers-roost.com/
If I’m around (and I should be unless I’m camping), I’d be up to join you at some point. danbob invited me up awhile back, and I have been meaning to take him up on it. Heck, if it works out right, maybe we could do some sort of a mini fish-in?
Now that sounds fun!
I have a DC Sig V 8’4" 4 wt, FTL 6 weight and a 6’6" Batson RX8 2 weight. The 2 is a nice rod to fish if the wind isn’t blowing, the 4 weight is a terrific all-around rod, and the 6 is my rocket, and can put out some line. Which is likely my best rod for the river? I was planning on bringing all 3 just in case, but figured that the 4 weight is probably going to get the majority of the work since it is my favorite rod. If the wind isn’t a problem, then I want to fish the 2 weight if possible, and I would probably only use my 6 if things get too windy. Or should I leave one of the 3 at home?
heres a hatch chart
Hatch Information and Fly Selection
http://www.frontrangeanglers.com/Fishing%20Rpts/cachelapoudrehatch.htm
Hey blue, there is a beautiful little bookie stream running right through Ben Delatour. I thnk anyone can fish it. There is also a stocked pond, but I think that is only for the kids. The Big South and little South forks are easily accessible, as is the North Fork. I would recomend that you take up on some of the offers from the locals. You can’t do better than that.
I suspect you could leave the 6 weight at home unless you plan to fish some of the bigger rivers in the state. The 4 weight sounds about perfect.
ol’ blue,
It’s July! Are you still planning to be here?
I have family in Ft. Collins and have fished this river a number of times. The suggestions everyone has made sound good to me. I have always had success with Elk Hair Caddis(14-16), Parachute Adams (14-18 ), Parachute BWO (16-18 ), and especially with an E/C Caddis (14-18 ). I usually fish the river a little later in the year than when you are going, but only by a week or two. Good luck on your trip!
Yes, I am! We are driving in on the 19th, and will leave on the morning of the 25th. I’m thinking that Tuesday or Wednesday would be my best days.
Where and when would you all like to meet? I can’t believe that it is only 2 weeks away!