South Platte River Deckers Fishing Report

Last Update: weeks up at Deckers have been very productive. We have been catching all types of fish in shallower water bordering to deeper holding water. The fish usually start moving shallow as early as the sun starts to hit the water. Productive flies have usually been bigger junk patterns like scuds, worms, eggs, and the sporadic leech pattern trailed by another smaller fly or two. Standard midges and baetis will also turn some fish, exactly throughout warmer periods of the day when the midge hatch picks up. The biggest key to success is covering lots of water and finding fish that are actively feeding and happy. (troutsflyfishing.com)

The South Platte river is a World Class fishery inside a 1. 5 hour drive of Denver. Here it’s people, one of the best small rear water fisheries in the world. we’re lucky in that this watershed may be fished year-round. This system is a mix of three forks of the river which have their headwaters high in the 14, 000 foot peaks west of Denver. This river is famous for the many Mayfly, Midge and Caddis. (orvis.com)

Colorado Fly Fishing – Fly Fishing Guides – Rental Cabins – Flies & Lies is conveniently located on the South Platte River in Deckers, Colorado. Just some miles from the Cheesman Canyon part of the South Platte River which has the repute of being one of the finest tailwater fisheries in the state of Colorado. This Gold Medal Water is Catch and Release and is home to untold numbers of trophy browns and rainbows. The river between the Wigwam Club to Scraggy View was protected by special rules for years and also is a well-liked stretch to fish with a good population of big fish. (flies-n-lies.com)

The fish are stacked up in the slower runs and deeper pools preparing for winter.  Mid day, if a midge hatch becomes obvious, look for fish to move into the transitional regions to feed for an hour or so.  This can supply some excellent winter midge fishing for a short length.  it’s important to capitalize on this opportunity when it presents itself. Dry fly fans are able to find some increasing fish in the slower pools and tailouts.  it is hard to go wrong with a #24 Matt’s Midge, #26 Parachute Adams, or a #24 Griffith Gnat to fool these surface feeders. (patdorseyflyfishing.com)

The North Platte at the entrance to Waterton Canyon. Here the river is available by foot or mountain bike – there’s a parking lot across from the old South Platte Hotel. The trail follows the grade of the narrow gauge tracks now removed . This track was laid in 1876 for the Denver South Park and Pacific rail line, running from Denver to South Park and Leadville to service the mining camps. But, on weekends it was well-liked with Denver anglers offering access to world-class fishing in the 1870's. (coloradofishing.net)

There must be enough water to carry the line through an complete swing. 180cfs as it’s now is perfect. Anything below 100 could make it hard to get a good swing. The water and air temps were super cold both days we fished making the fish lethargic. For this reason, most of our fish came at the rear outs of deeper pools. That said, we did hit fish in the faster water but most the takes came in and around the soft spots behind or in front of bigger rocks. There was one fish in specific that I spotted in shallow water and I posted up on the fish as if I were sight nymphing and the fish wanted nothing to do with it. (minturnanglers.com)

Below Cheesman Reservoir is possibly the most well-liked and productive stretch of river. Access to the part between the dam and Deckers is typically granted after a sizable hike in to a canyon. The water here is made up usually of pockets, pools, and riffles. The bordering land is steep and to get back to your car is frequently the most hard part of the day. But, if you ask most anglers if the hike is worth it you’ll most frequently be answered with a hasty "yes". This is a tremendous part of river to fish. The Gill Trail is off of CR126 and is the big access point for the water between the dam and Deckers. (flyfishingconnection.com)

Due to water releases from Cheesman Reservoir, the waters near Deckers area are warm enough to remain a year-round fishery.   It is roughly an hour and a half from Denver and Colorado Springs and offers many pullouts along the road that parallels the river.   There are many brown and rainbows in this area.   In the upper part, near the bottom of Cheesman Canyon is the private Wig Wam Fishing Club.   The fish in this area are stated to be big. Fishermen below this area will sometimes catch some of the big fish that escape the club s waters.   Below Deckers you’ll find many riffles, runs and pools that are loaded with cautious fish. (virtualflybox.com)

, the South Platte runs northeast to Cheesman Reservoir, named for Denver water pioneer Walter S. Cheesman. At its completion in 1905, the dam was the world s tallest, at 221 feet 67 m above the streambed. The reservoir and related buildings were bought in November 1918 by the Denver Water Board. Cheesman was the 1st reservoir of Denver’s mountain storage buildings and was chosen a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Cheesman Reservoir feeds Cheesman Canyon. Six miles below Cheesman Reservoir is the town of Deckers; there, the river bends north for roughly 17 miles 27 km to the confluence with the North Fork of the South Platte. (en.wikipedia.org)

Casting a fly in a tranquil mountain stream, feeling the tug on the line, and holding a beautiful rainbow trout makes us feel alive and intensely connected with nature. Fly fishing is our way of life and we’re blessed with hundreds of close rivers and streams just a short distance away from Boulder. From the swift spring waters of the Clear Creek to the meandering bends of the South Platte, it is important to think about fishing conditions in advance and prepare therefore. We rely on our experienced guides who venture into the wild to let’s know which rivers favor fly fishing, where fish are biting, and which fly patterns are most efficient. (rockymtanglers.com)