The North Fork of the South Platte River offers yet another opportunity to sample the South Platte River system. The vast majority of this swift, fast flowing stem of the South Platte River is within an hour’s reach of metropolitan Denver, nevertheless, this branch gets over-shadowed by the renowned South Fork. The headwaters of the North Fork, as it is referred to, commence on the eastern side of legendary Kenosha Pass. The North Fork is extremely small and expeditious for the first several miles until it joins forces with diverted water from the bottom of Dillon Reservoir via the Roberts Tunnel. Another tributary—Geneva Creek—further adds a substantial quantity of water to the North Fork near the small town of Grant. This creek is especially influential during run-off as the North Fork swells and becomes high and roily. Several other smaller side-streams also enter the river but are not the magnitude of the two previously mentioned sources of water.
The North Fork is comprised of shallow riffles, runs, and an abundance of pocket water. Deep holes are uncommon throughout this section of river. The water is gin clear, and standard sight nymphing tactics work best on a day-to-day basis. Short-line nymphing is the most effective technique with the heavy brush, small pockets, and quick seams—all of which are key holding areas for the trout. Typically if it looks “fishy”, it generally is, and of course it’s always lucrative to find fish positioned where you think they should be.
Trophy trout await you on many of our leases on the North Fork of the South Platte. To book a day at North Fork Ranch, Shawnee Meadows, or Rawhide (upper and middle) Fly Fisher’s call the Blue Quill Angler (303-674-4700) and we’ll gladly assist you.
Seasonal Conditions
SPRING HATCHES – SUGGESTED NYMPHS AND STREAMERS
Midges: #20-22 Black Fly Larvae, #20-22 Manhattan Midges, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #22-26 Top Secret Midge, #20-24 Medallion Midges, #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty, #20-22 Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty, #20-22 Minute Midge, #20-22 Periwinkle, #20-22 Pearl Jam, #20-22 Brassie, #20-22 Buckskin, and #20-22 Chironoflash.
Blue Winged Olives: #20-22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20- 22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #20-22 Jujubaetis, and #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emergers
Caddis: #16-18 Buckskin, #18 Graphic Caddis, #14-18 Bead Head Breadcrust, #16 Mercury Cased Caddis, and #16-18 Tungsten Bead Mercury Cased Caddis
Streamers: #6 Lunch Money, #10 Olive Crystal Bugger, #10 White Crystal Bugger, #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, #6-10 olive, black, rust, and gray Meat Whistle, and #6-8 olive and rust Slumpbuster
SPRING HATCHES – RECOMMEDED DRY FLIES
Midges: #22-26 Parachute Adams, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, #20-24 Matt’s Midge, and #20-24 Hi Vis Griffith Gnat
Blue Winged Olives: #22-24 Parachute Adams, #22-24 Barr’s Visa Dun, #20-24 Blue Dun, #20-24 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, #20-24 Cannon’s Snowshoe Dun, and #20-24 Hi Vis Baetis
Caddisflies: #16-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #14-18 Puterbaugh Caddis, and #14-18 Goddard Caddis
