Colorado Fishing Reports · South Platte Basin
Around Rustic, the upper Poudre Canyon has miles of roadside public water, with wild browns, rainbows and the river's first stretches of Wild and Scenic water.
Looking for the latest Upper Poudre River Rustic river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Cache la Poudre River – Upper Canyon at Rustic.
Current flows
There is no live gauge on this stretch. Check nearby gauges on the Colorado fishing reports page, or call the shop for the latest.
Wind forecast
Upper Canyon at Rustic fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
There is no live gauge on this stretch. The canyon mouth gauge reads about 40 cfs, low and clear.
Fish slow, deep pools at midday with small nymphs: a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail under a light indicator. Expect cold, slow fishing until spring.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Upper Canyon at Rustic, bring: Zebra Midge #18-20, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Parachute Adams #16-18, Stimulator #12-14, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Upper Canyon at Rustic river details
| Access | Highway 14 runs along the river, with many national forest pullouts and campgrounds. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 7,200 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 128 miles, roughly 2 hours 52 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer and fall |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Special regulations apply on some stretches of the Poudre. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | Many national forest campgrounds along Highway 14 (seasonal) |
| Kids | Yes at the campgrounds and slower water. |
| Good to know | Roadside and easy to reach. Watch for the special-regulation signs. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold and icy.
Spring
Runoff from May into June.
Summer
Prime time for dries.
Fall
Low, clear water and browns.
How to get there
Take I-25 north to Fort Collins, then Highway 287 north to Highway 14 up the Poudre Canyon to Rustic.