Where to Go Middle Fork of the South Platte
Current Reports
Updated 10/25/2021
This will likely be our last repost on the Middle Fork for the year. The flows are low and parts of it have already started to freeze. Tie up those terrestrial patterns for next year!
The fishing has been slow. Badger Basin: Cover ground.
Fishing is slow. Terrestrial patterns are still taking fish. Don't forget to add a dropper, or swing the occasional streamer through the deeper bends. You may be surprised to find some big rainbows hiding out among all the smaller trout.
Tomahawk: slow fishing
Cover ground
Above Spinney: Low flows and poor fishing.
Not much happening above Spinney. It could be a good option if you dont mind walking and are not concerned about high numbers of fish.
RECOMMENDED Patterns
NYMPHS
Pheasant Tails #16-20, RS2 Grey, Black and Olive #18-22, Hare's Ears #12-18, Copper John #14-20.
DRIES
Parachute Adams #14-20, Mole flies #18-22, Matthew's Sparkle Dun BWO #18-20, Streambank Hopper #12, Henneberry Hopper #12, Big-Boned Caddis #16, Pearl and Elk Caddis #14-16, Black Beetle #14, Chubby's Chernobyls all colors and sizes. Amy's Ants all colors and sizes.
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