Where to Go South Platte River – Deckers
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FALL HOURS 9am to 6pm Daily
Report Date: 11/17/2025
Current Conditions:
The flows in Deckers are currently at 150 cfs and slightly higher than average flows for this time of the year. The river has been fishing a bit more technical but still very good. The main focus should be on your presentation right now. Nymphing or dry fly fishing, these fish want good, clean drifts! Please steer clear of any redds or any spawning fish you come across. We have observed some redds in the river. If you see fish in very shallow water and they are not spooked easily, they are likely spawing! Please leave them be.
Anglers can expect some variance in these flows throughout the remainder of the main season. The canyon has been surprisingly busy, especially on weekends.
Cheesman reservoir is currently 86% full
Hatches:
There has been great hatch activity in the Deckers area. Lots of midges to start and followed by some Tricos, some BWO's. You'll have to take it day by day in here right now in terms of what bugs the fish are focusing on. Pay attention and adjust accordingly!
Tactics:
With these flows, dry fly or dry dropper fishing has been great. Of course nymphing is always a staple here.
Tips:
Pay attention to presentation in here. Adjust your presentation before you start changing flies. The fish have seen a lot of people and a lot of flies this year. They are a little more selective on what they are eating. Pay attention to the bug life and their general sizes.
Weather:
Short Term- After a long period of not having much to talk about regarding the weather, we are finally getting some interesting (and seasonal) weather around here! A quick system made its way through the state last night and brought some colder temps and some snow (for some). The high country was able to get a few inches of snow but not much happened in this area. Today will be cooler but still pretty nice by November standards. Temps will stay in the 50's today and we could see a good amount of wind. On Tuesday and Wednesday, temps will rebound nicely and it will be quite nice. Highs will be in the 60's and the wind looks to be calm. On Thursday afternoon and into Friday, some more changes will again be coming to the area. Right now precipitation chances are in the 80% range, and we will likely see some sort of precipitation. This will likely start out as rain and change to snow overnight. The storm wont last all that long and things should clear up pretty fast.
Long Term- Going into the weekend, we will warm up a bit again and conditions will be very pleasant. Temps will be pleasant with high temps in the mid 50's. As we head towards Thanksgiving, longer range forecasts are pointing at another system moving through the area. The jury is still out on exact details, but there will be a lot of moisture in this system. Depending on where this storm tracks will determine how much, or little snow we will see. As nice as it is to have had really nice weather this time of year, we desperately need the moisture and snow. Statewide snowpack is dismal right now and it will be great to finally get some chances at getting some snow.
This is an area we offer guided fly fishing trips. We are one of two outfitters permitted to operate in the USFS section of Deckers. There is not better way to learn an area like this 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:
- Daysaver baetis, olive, size 22
- No mercy midge, brown, size 20
- Blindside Midge, purple, sizes 20-22
- Pheasant tail.(no flashback) sizes 20-22
- Stalcups baetis, olive size 22
- Jedi Master, grey, size 22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
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- Barrs vis a dun, olive, size 22
- Sparkle dun, BWO, sizes 18-20
- Mole Fly, brown, sizes 20-22
- Smokejumper, baetis, sizes 22-24
- Neils BWO, size 22
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Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
*Wooly buggers, black, brown, sizes 8-12
*Humdinger, brown, size 4
*Baby Gonga, yellow, size 6
*Poacher, olive, size 8
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