Wind River trout settle into stable fall water

What's biting

What's next

With a New Moon, nights are dark and daytime fishing tends to carry the bite. Expect the best action through mid-morning and again in the late afternoon, when water temperatures sit in the mid-50s and insects are most active.

The low flow at the smallest gauge (9 cfs) means fish there will be tight to deeper pockets and cover, so longer leaders and light tippets are worth considering. The bigger water near 731 cfs offers more room to work seams and soft edges with nymph rigs. Trout Unlimited's recent tip on nymph weight is relevant here: if your flies are not reaching the strike zone, add split shot before changing patterns.

If cool nights continue, water should stay in this range or edge down a degree or two, which keeps trout feeding without pushing them into sluggish winter behavior.

Context

Mid-October in the high plains and Rocky Mountain foothills is typically a transition period. Summer heat stress is gone, hatches shift from large mayflies and terrestrials to Baetis and midges, and brown trout begin moving toward spawning behavior in many Western rivers. Flows are usually near their annual lows after irrigation season, which is consistent with the modest readings at the gauges. Conditions look on schedule for the season. Check state regulations for any fall closures on spawning waters before heading out.