Where to Go South Platte River – Deckers
Current Reports
Updated 10/25/2021
Check out our Fall fishing forecast here!
The flows came up last week because the North fork had to be shut down for repairs. We were able to enjoy about 5 days of really nice flows. These flows are already coming down (The North fork is back on) and will be set at 100 cfs for the foreseeable future.
This time of year the fish have started to key on smaller bugs. Trico and BWO activity has been strong in the morning, with the hatch progressively getting later in the morning. Go small on your bugs and terminal tackle.
This area has been very busy so expect to fish with a lot of other people.
Recommended Patterns
NYMPHS
Mayer's Mini leach in black or brown #14-18, Orange or olive UV Scuds #14-16, Cranefly Larva, Pat's Rubber Legs brown/black olive/brown black #10-14, San Juan Worms all colors #12,
Miracle Midge #18-24, Top Secret Midge #20-24, Flux Capacitors, Black Beauties #20-24, Blindside Midge #20-22, Money Midge #20-22, Buckskin Caddis #16-20, Red Midge Larva #18-22, Mercury Midge #20-24, Rainbow Warriors #18-22 Jujubee Midge #18-26., Juan's Sniper Baetis #20-24, Juan's Jedi Master #20-24, Pheasant Tail #18-22, RS2 grey and black #18-22, Cheesman Emergers #20-22, Barr's Emergers #18-24, Foam Back Emergers chocolate #20-22, Stalcups Baetis brown and olive #20-22
DRIES
Mole Fly #20-24, Neils BWO #20-22, Almost Dun #20, Juans 180 Trico #20, Mayer's Tails-up Trico #20-22, Griffiths Gnat #20-26, Matts Midge #22-24, Comparadun #20-22, Vis-a-dun black #20-22
STREAMERS
Black has been very good, but traditionally you'd want to use lighter colors on overcast days, and darker colors on bright days.
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