Where to Go South Platte River – Deckers
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SUMMER HOURS 6am to 6pm Daily
Report Date: 6/11/2025
Current Conditions:
The flows have been right around 139 cfs for a few weeks now. These are ok flows for this time of year but still on the low side. The entire South Platte river is low right now. Denver Water is trying to stockpile water right now. Its anyones guess as to when we may see some more water through the corridor. Water temps are still cool here so thats good news. The fishing has been good and the dry dropper action has been a lot of fun. The river has been very busy, especially on weekends.
Cheesman reservoir is currently 91% full
Hatches:
BWO's, midges, and caddis are all active. Its getting exciting here in terms of bug variety and anglers will want to expand their fly boxes a bit more right now.
Tactics:
Things can definitely still be on the technical side, but the fish are feeding a lot heavier now and that makes them a little less picky. Deeper runs are still a good place to target but we are seeing lots of fish moving in riffles to feed right now. Focus not only on what patterns you are fishing, but how you are fishing them. Good dead drifts right on top of the fish will be key. The dry fly fishing has been decent during pronounced hatches.
Tips:
Cover ground!!
Weather:
Short Term- It looks like the rain machine may take a little break this week. Rain chances will still be present, just not to the extent we have seen over the last few weeks. This week will be warm with temps in the 80's. Rain chances are around the 20-40% range through the week and will decrease as we head into next weekend. Temps will continue to warm and we will be in the upper 80's by Sunday.
Long Term- Looking past the weekend, it looks like we will have more of the same. Temps will remain in the 70'sand 80's and it will be beautiful. We will still have daily rain chances, but any rain should be short lived. Longer range forecasts are hinting at a drier and warmer stretch of weather as we head through June. Its summer and its definitely going to feel like it.
This is an area we offer guided fly fishing trips. We are one of two outfitters permitted to operate in Cheesman. There is not better way to learn an area like Cheesman Canyon 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:
- Jiggety Jedi, olive, size 20
- Jedi master, olive, size 20-22
- Guides choice hares ear, sizes 16-18
- Kryptonite Caddis, size 16-18
- Graphic caddis, tan, size 16
- Buckskin, sizes 16-20
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
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- Mole Fly, brown. Size 22
- Elk Hair caddis, tan, sizes 16-18
- Parachute adams, sizes 20-24
- Stubby chubby, dark, sizes 14-16
- Chubby, yellow, green, sizes 12-14
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