Where to Go South Platte River – Deckers
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Report Date: 10/28/2025
Current Conditions:
The flows in Deckers have been nice and stable for the last 2 months. Current flows are now at 165 cfs and pretty close to seasonal average for this time of year. The fishing has been decent, although anglers are having to work for them harder on some days. This is pretty typical as we transition into the fall/winter season. We are seeing good action on all disciplines. Nymphing, dry fly fishing, and even dry/droppers are all doing excellent. The main focus should be on your presentation right now. These fish want good, clean drifts! Please steer clear of any redds or any spawning fish you come across. We have observed some redds in the river. If you see fish in very shallow water and they are not spooked easily, they are likely spawing! Please leave them be
Anglers can expect some variance in these flows throughout the remainder of the main season. The canyon has been surprisingly busy, especially on weekends.
Cheesman reservoir is currently 86% full
Hatches:
There has been great hatch activity in the Deckers area. Lots of midges to start and followed by BWO's. There are also still some tricos in the mix. Youll have to take it day by day in here right now in terms of what bugs the fish are focusing on. Pay attention and adjust accordingly!
Tactics:
Nymphing is the most succesful tactic in the Deckers corridor. Depth/weight will always be the most important thing with nymphing, but especially now. Focus on seams, shelves, and transition points in the river. Make sure your flies are in the feeding areas! Dry fly fishing has also been pretty good. Tossing streamers is also a great option now!
Tips:
Pay attention to presentation in here. Adjust your presentation before you start changing flies. The fish have seen a lot of people and a lot of flies this year. They are a little more selective on what they are eating. Pay attention to the bug life and their general sizes.
Weather:
Short Term- Another cold front moved through the state last night and brought with it some very cold air. In fact, this is the coldest air we have seen this fall. Today will be flat out cold and we will see some windy conditions as well. Lows for the next couple of days will be in the 30's, so give it some time before you hit the water. High temps should rebound quickly and we will be back in the 60's the rest of the week and into the weekend. Wind also looks to not be an issue for the rest of the week.
Long Term- As we go through this coming weekend, we will experience a pretty good warm up. Temps will be in the upper 60's and even low 70's. Morning lows will be chilly and it will take a little time to warm up each day, but overall its going to be absolutely beautiful. This forecast looks to hold all through the end of October and into November. A long, dry and warm stretch is ahead of us.
This is an area we offer guided fly fishing trips. We are one of two outfitters permitted to operate in the USFS section of Deckers. There is not better way to learn an area like this than hiring one of our Orvis endorsed professional guides!
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:
- Daysaver baetis, olive, size 22
- No mercy midge, brown, size 20
- Blindside Midge, purple, sizes 20-22
- Pheasant tail.(no flashback) sizes 20-22
- Stalcups baetis, olive size 22
- Jedi Master, grey, size 22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
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- Barrs vis a dun, olive, size 22
- Sparkle dun, BWO, sizes 18-20
- Mole Fly, brown, sizes 20-22
- Smokejumper, baetis, sizes 22-24
- Neils BWO, size 22
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Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
*Wooly buggers, black, brown, sizes 8-12
*Humdinger, brown, size 4
*Baby Gonga, yellow, size 6
*Poacher, olive, size 8
Standard South Platte nymph rig set up:
Screenshot the diagram above to reference while you're out on the water!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR "WHERE TO GO" PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS!
The South Platte River at Deckers was devastated by debris in 2002 from Colorado's largest fire in its recorded history followed by two huge floods. Since then, Deckers has been making great progress toward recovery and the debris left over from the fire and floods is being used by caddis for making their cases. The caddis have taken over the river the last few springs. Caddis hatches that rival the famed Arkansas River's "Mother's Day hatch" have happened in Deckers the last four years. It's showing no sign of slowing down.
When the fish aren't coming up to caddis, a tandem nymph rig with typical fare can still be deadly. The summer months can be a lot of fun for anglers that are into throwing streamers and big dry flies. Elk hair caddis, Amy's Ants, stimulators, and foam hoppers such as the streambank hopper are great dry flies to have. Good nymph patterns to carry are: Mercury Pheasant Tails, South Platte Brassies, San Juan Worms, Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly, RS-2's, Murphy's Bubbleback Midge, Blindside Midges, Buckskins, Top Secret Midges, Medallion Midges, and Black Beauties.
I'm so pleased to see this fishery come back strong after the Hayman fire. Deckers has been producing some of the area's strongest, most beautiful trout in the last couple of years. While the area may get crowded, there is a ton of water along the corridor and it's always fun to go seek out new water. As with anywhere on the South Platte, be sure to check the flows before you go. Sudden bumps or drops in the flow will negatively affect the fishing on this river.
Jon Easdon, Guide and Director of Services
Deckers is also a great winter fishing destination because it is a tailwater. A tailwater fishery is where a river comes out below a dam; consequently, during the winter months the water temps are just warm enough to stay relatively ice-free all year. Sections where the sun hits the water is where you can find feeding fish. This time of year can be the most productive for solitude-seeking anglers who aren't afraid of using light tippets and very small flies.
This is an area we specialize and are permitted in, so give us a shout if you have any questions or if you're interested in allowing one of our Orvis-Endorsed guides show you how best to fish the Deckers area.
South Platte River – Deckers.
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Directions - 40 miles - 49 Minutes
- From Angler's Covey head west on US 24 W/Cimarron St, go 16.7 miles
- Turn right at CO-67 towards Deckers, go 23.1 miles