Where to Go Middle Fork of the South Platte
Current Reports
Angler's Covey Bug of the Month
Bug of the month videos here
Visit the blog here
FALL HOURS: 9am TO 6pm DAILY
Report Date: 4/29/2025
Current Conditions:
All stretches of the middle fork are open. This is a great time to hit these areas before runoff hits. Flows are just about average for this time of the year at approximately 45 cfs. The middle fork is a great option for the angler that wants to find some solitude. The fish numbers are less in this stretch, but the angler putting in the work will be able to find some good fish in the system right now. Keep a close eye on the flows as these areas will be affected by runoff when it finally lets go.
Hatches:
Its one of our favorite times of the year! We are starting to see some BWO's and its a sign of whats to come. The midge hatches are still going strong but the addition of the mayflies always makes things a little more interesting. We have started to see some intense BWO hatches in the afternoons. The bugs are pretty big as well, so be sure to have a wide variety of sizes.
Tactics:
This is great dry/dropper water all throughout the middle fork. Focus on the undercut banks here, as they can hold some larger fish waiting in ambush.
Weather:
Short Term- This week will be largely unsettled weather wise. We will see seasonal average temperatures through this week and over the weekend. Temps will be cool in the 40's and 50's, and we will have increased chances of precipitation. A system will move through the state on Thursday and bring some good chances of rain. We talked about this all winter and how important it will be to have a slow warm up into spring. Well this is exactly what we are seeing right now. Temps have still been very nice, but its been about average for this time of year. Sprinkle in some of the recent s storms and thats helpful as well.
Long Term- Looking ahead, the weather will remain unsettled as we head into next week. In fact, we will see some chances of snow early in the week. Its hard to say where exactly the bulk of this storm will hit right now, but all weather models are in agreement that some snow is coming. This looks to happen around May 5th-7th. While we are past really gaining any snowpack for the year, its extremely important to try and hold onto what we have. The cool weather and snow chances will certainly help this. It looks like Old Man Winter isnt quite done with us yet..
Tips:
Cover ground. Thats usually the key on the middle fork.
This is an area we offer guided walk/wade trips, and we are one of the only outfitters permitted to do so in 11 mile canyon, please give us a call if you are interested! (We are currently only offering full day trips here)
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:
- Frenchie, sizes 16-18
- Radiation baetis, size 18-20
- Perdigon, olive, size 16-18
- Spanish Bullet, size 18
- Barrs emerger, size 20
- Pheasant tail, sizes 18-22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Mole fly, natural, sizes 20-24
- Parachute Adams, natural, sizes 20-24
- Neils BWO. size 20
Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
N/A
Standard nymph rig set up for the South Platte:
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!
About Alma SWA
Middle Fork of the South Platte River finds its headwaters above Hoosier Pass. Water is diverted from the Breckenridge area and passed through a tunnel under Hoosier Pass into Montgomery Reservoir. This augments the flow particularly in the early summer.
About Tomahawk
Tomahawk is the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. This stretch of the river is a great place to find solitude from the crowds. Summer and fall are a great time of the year to throw big hoppers to eager brown trout. In the summer, bring insect repellent because the mosquitos can get bad. In the fall, bring heavy leaders because large browns come out of their typical hiding spaces and move up river from Spinney to spawn.
This is an area we specialize and are permitted to guide, so give us a shout if you have any questions or if you are interested in allowing one of our Orvis-Endorsed guides show you how best to conquer Middle Fork of the South Platte.
Interested in Booking a Trip?
Directions to Alma - 88.9 miles - 1 Hour 42 Minutes
- From Angler's Covey head west on US 24 W/Cimarron St, go 63.2 miles
- Turn right at CO-9 N towards Fairplay, go 16.1 miles
- Turn right at US-285 N, go 1.0 mile
- Turn left at CO-9 N/ Main Street, Fairplay and through Alma, 8.1 miles
- Watch your speed, this area is famous for speed tickets.
- Turn left at Co Rd 4, Park along stream in desinated areas.
Directions to Tomahawk - 70.5 miles - 1 Hour 19 Minutes
- Head West on US-24, go 63.2 miles
- Turn right on Co-9, go 7.2 miles