Where to Go South Platte River – Deckers
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FALL HOURS: 9am TO 6am DAILY
Report Date: 9/9/2024
Current Conditions:
The flows have come down quite a bit over the weekend and are currently at 274 cfs. While these are still excellent flows, the fish are having a hard time adjusting to these flows. These are some of the lowest the flows have been here in about 5 months, so some adjustment time will be needed. The fishing should be great once things stabilize. These flows will still have the fish spread out and seeking feeding opportunities. Its been a wild season in the Deckers corridor and thats going to continue. Most of the downstream water demand will be coming from this section of the South Platte. If we are forecasted to get rain, expect the flows to come down. If its going to be hot and dry, you can expect the flows to be a bit higher. (current situation). We do expect the flows out of Cheesman to fluctuate pretty good through summer and into fall. The fishing has been great, but the crowds have been pretty thick. There is a lot of real estate in the corridor to fish. Go north on hwy. 67 and you will find a lot of open water.
We have seen some slower days here recently.
One thing to keep in mind here is that all of the releases from Cheesman reservoir are coming from the bottom valve in the dam. This has kept the water temps in an ideal range and we are seeing some dynamic insect activity, especially subsurface. This is one location where the angler will not have to be worried about water temps. Things have gotten a lot more technical, but the angler can still mix in some larger food sources.
Hatch specific bugs should always be a focus here. Dont be afraid to start throwing those 20-24 sized patterns again
Cheesman reservoir is currently 96% full
Hatches:
As usual for this time of year, Midges, BWO's, caddis, and PMD's are the staples. With the flows coming down, the dry fly fishing has been good in the slower seams and pockets.
Tactics:
For Nymphing- Depth and weight will be very important right now. This will be more important to get dialed in. Stay persistent and adjust your rig. Focus should be back in the seams, riffles, and runs. This will be more important than what flies you are fishing. Dont be afraid to again integrate some larger patterns into the mix with the higher flows. For dries, look in the slower seams for rising fish. The hatches are pretty diverse, so pay close attention to the bugs that are in the air. This can also be a great time of year to throw some streamers.
Tips:
Be mobile and move around for the most success. Fish are spread out more and occupying all parts of the river. Look for fish to occupy the usual places now that the flows have come down a bit. Nymphing is always productive but the dry fly fishing should get really good with the lower flows.
Keep an eye out on the rain. If this area receives a good amount of rain it can flood pretty easily.
Weather:
Short Term- We will have more of the same this week. Highs will be in the 80's with some slight rain chances this week. We could see a rogue storm roll through but nothing will be long lasting if it does develop. The wind looks great most of the week as well. The exception to that will be on Thursday, where we could see some strong winds around noon. Morning lows are starting to get chilly in the 40's, but it is warming up pretty fast each day. Get out and enjoy this great late summer weather!
Long Term- After this coming weekend, things look to cool off a bit. Its hard to say right now if thats the beginning of some sustained changes, but it will cool off for a few days. Temps will remain in the 70's and we could see some pretty cold morning lows. Long range forecasts are hinting at some incoming changes toward the back half of September, but as always we will have to wait and see how that develops.
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:
- Foamback emerger, grey. black, sizes 20-22
- Buckskin, sizes 16-20
- Splitback shady, PMD, size 18
- RS2, grey, black, sizes 22-24
- Zebra midge, black, size 22
- Top secret, sizes 20-22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Mole Fly, brown. Size 22
- Vis a dun, black, size 20
- Chubbys, royal, sizes 12-16
- Sparkle dun PMD, sizes 16-18
- Elk Hair caddis, sizes 14-18
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