Intro | Bugs & Calendar | Little Poudre Rivers | Big Thompson

Little Poudre Rivers

The North Fork of the Poudre River (above) has sections of public water at State Wildlife Areas, wild trout, and very few anglers.

Because of plentiful access, the Poudre is one of the least crowded rivers in Colorado, but that's not to say you won't see other fishermen-especially in the wild-trout areas. If you really want to get away from it all and have a piece of water all to yourself, consider the many tributaries of the Poudre. The Poudre River Basin Angling Guide, published by the local Trout Unlimited chapter, is available from local fly shops and will help you find your way.

The tributaries have similar hatches, trout, and scenery with smaller water. The tribs are accessed by a variety of paved, gravel, and dirt roads and see far less people. Wildlife is more abundant and the chance of running into a recent bear or mountain lion track is more likely.

The Little South Fork runs through Roosevelt National Forest and is open to fishing below Pingree Park. Most of this stretch has public access but some private land exists. The lower five miles of this river are not roadside so you need to work your way upstream from the confluence with the main stem. The confluence and the steep, narrow canyon located upstream provide good fishing, and there are miles of pocketwater fishing above that. You can also walk down into this area from where SR 131 crosses the road or fish the few miles where SR 131 follows the river. Above Pingree Park there is a greenback cutthroat recovery area that is off-limits to angling, but there is a good chance of legally catching and releasing cutthroat trout in the area downstream where Fish Creek and Little Beaver Creek enter the river.

The North Fork of the Cache la Poudre between Seaman and Halligan reservoirs is legendary. Old-timers tell stories of huge brown trout taken in great numbers through this stretch. However, unlike the rest of the Poudre, there is little public access. This stretch includes the Phantom Canyon stretch of the North Fork-a private reserve owned by the Nature Conservancy and accessed only by fishermen with an invitation.

Above Halligan Reservoir, there are a few short stretches of public water but they will make you remember the hike. You can also fish some of the larger tributaries of the North Fork where there are small, eager browns, rainbows, brook trout, and in places, greenback cutthroat trout. These areas are remote and you are unlikely to see another person all day. What you will see are rattlesnakes and fresh bear dung on the game trail that exists in short spurts along the river. The fishing is good for small trout, the exercise is great, and the wilderness is rejuvenating.

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