Fall is officially settling into the Colorado high country, and the next few weeks are shaping up to be some of the most enjoyable fishing of the season. Cooler mornings, changing leaves, lower angling pressure, and increasingly active trout make September and October a special time to be on the Eagle, Roaring Fork, South Platte and Upper Colorado Rivers.
The Eagle is transitioning nicely into fall conditions, with cooler water and increasingly active trout. Blue-winged olives are becoming an important part of the menu, particularly on cloudy or unsettled days. Look for BWO activity to build through the late morning and afternoon as temperatures cool.
As we move toward October, keep an eye out for the first good pushes of October Caddis. These large, orange-bodied caddis can provide some exciting opportunities, especially later in the day and around dusk. While they may not blanket the river every day, trout know they’re a substantial meal when they appear.
For now, smaller BWO dries and emergers are worth having on hand, along with caddis patterns and a solid nymph setup for periods when the fish aren’t looking up.
verThe Roaring Fork is one of our favorite places to be as summer gives way to fall. Cooler water and changing conditions bring a variety of opportunities, with Blue-winged olives becoming increasingly important as we move deeper into the season.
Cloudy days are the ones to watch. A little weather can trigger some excellent BWO activity and get trout feeding consistently on the surface. On brighter days, expect more selective fish and be prepared to spend some time underneath the surface with small baetis and midge patterns.
Looking ahead, October Caddis will become increasingly important as we get deeper into fall. These larger caddis are worth imitating around banks, structure, and slower water, particularly in the evening. They can also be a great reason to keep a larger dry or attractor in the mix while searching for aggressive fish.
The Upper Colorado is entering one of its best windows of the year. As the river cools through September and October, trout become increasingly active and the crowds begin to thin. Fall is also a great time to encounter aggressive brown trout as they transition toward their pre-spawn period.
Blue-winged olives will be a major player over the coming weeks. Look for the best activity during cloudy, cooler weather, particularly from late morning into the afternoon. Small BWO dries, emergers, and nymphs should all have a place in the box.
October also brings the possibility of October Caddis, giving anglers another larger meal to imitate as the season progresses. Keep some larger caddis patterns handy and watch the banks and slower water toward evening.
Fall is also a great time to start thinking about streamers on the Upper Colorado. As brown trout become more territorial and begin preparing for the spawn, larger meals can become increasingly attractive.
If you’re looking to stay closer to the Front Range, fall is an excellent time to fish the South Platte system. Deckers and the Dream Stream offer very different experiences, but both can provide excellent technical trout fishing as the seasons change.
Around Deckers, cooler temperatures bring increased Blue-winged olive activity and can create some of the best dry-fly opportunities of the fall. Watch for BWO activity on overcast days and be prepared for picky trout that demand smaller flies and careful presentations. Nymphing remains a reliable approach when the fish aren’t rising, with small mayfly and midge patterns being important players.
The Dream Stream, on the South Platte between Eleven Mile Reservoir and Spinney Mountain Reservoir, is a destination worth watching closely during the fall. As large trout move through the system, anglers have the opportunity to encounter some truly impressive fish. This is technical fishing, and stealth, light tippet, accurate casts, and a good understanding of the seasonal food sources can make all the difference.
As fall progresses, Blue-winged olives become increasingly important on the Front Range, while October can bring excellent opportunities for larger fall food sources and aggressive fish. The Dream Stream can also see significant fish movement during the fall, making this a great time of year to target a trophy South Platte trout.
Whether you’re after a technical dry-fly session at Deckers or hoping to connect with a big South Platte trout on the Dream Stream, fall offers plenty of opportunities without having to make the drive into the high country.
The next several weeks should offer some excellent fall fishing across all four rivers. The key will be adapting to the weather and paying attention to what the fish are eating each day.
What we’re watching for:
Fall is one of the best times to get out on the water, and the window for these seasonal hatches can be short. Let our guides put you in the right place at the right time and help you make the most of the BWO and October Caddis activity.
Ready to get on the water? Book your fall guided fishing trip today and experience some of Colorado’s best autumn trout fishing on the Eagle, Roaring Fork, and Upper Colorado Rivers.
Cole Tretter