Recent Reports
Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report:
About Fly Fishing at Deckers on the South Platte River in Colorado
Just below Cheesman Canyon is the world-class Deckers area with outstanding opportunity to catch memorable fish. Located about an hour outside Denver, this area of the South Platte River defines the legendary fly fishing that Colorado is known for across the world. While trout feed throughout the year in this rich fishery, slow runs, riffles, and deep pockets will put your angling skills to the test. This is an ideal area with sensational scenery to fly fish on foot and access is easy so you won’t have to worry about hiking in. However, the opportunity for exceptional fishing is extensive throughout this area, so don’t be afraid to strike out and explore. While you’re here, don’t forget to enjoy the scenery. There’s a good chance that you’ll spot eagles, mule deer, and other Colorado wildlife.
How’s the Fishing at Deckers on the South Platte River?
Simply put, the fishing here is amazing. With its relatively close proximity to Denver, and a reputation that’s hard to beat, don’t expect solitary fishing. Our renowned experts and fly fishing guides at The Blue Quill Angler have found the best fishing between the Bridge Crossing and the lower boundary of the Wigwam Club. Caddis hatches have been phenomenal over the last few years and show no signs of slowing down. What’s more, it’s not uncommon to catch trophy size trout here. Since Deckers is technically a tailwater, you can find good fishing and solitude here during the winter if you aren’t afraid of using light tippets and particularly small flies. Our renowned fly fishing guides, to include Colorado’s only two Simms Ambassadors, know every aspect of Deckers on the South Platte River and we invite you to join us on one of our guided fly fishing trips to Deckers.
Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Deckers – South Platte River
/in Deckers, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9MDeckers is a world-renowned stretch of the South Platte River. There are miles of public water to fish in and around the hamlet of Deckers.
Current Conditions
Clarity: Excellent
14 Day Forecast: Look for strong hatches of midges in conjunction with sporadic blue-winged olives and good hatches of caddis downstream of Deckers.
Tips and Other Information: Cheesman Reservoir is currently 77% full, so Denver Water is keeping the outflows low until the lake fills. Currently the snowpack is 116% of normal so we are in pretty good shape. Spinney Mountain Reservoir is 23 feet low, so look for minimum flows in that tailrace until the lake fills. Once Spinney Mountain Reservoir fills, the water will pass through (Eleven Mile Reservoir is full) and begin filling Cheesman Reservoir. Denver Water plans to keep the outflows around 50 cfs until the reservoir fills or the water temperatures get too high. The good news is that recent rainfall has the feeder creeks ripping and the flows are good at Deckers. The clarity varies depending on the section you fish, below each feeder creek the water is stained a bit more. The “olive” hatches are winding down, but the caddis hatches have been something to talk about on the lower river. Its time to break out caddis larva, pupa, and adults!
Effective Patterns:#22-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg,#20-24 Black Beauty, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty, #20 JujuBaetis, #22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #18-20 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-24 Top Secret Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #18 Buckskin, #16 Graphic Caddis, #14-16 Elk Hair Caddis, #14-16 Puterbaugh Caddis, #20 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, #20 Stalcup’s CDC Biot Comparadun, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #20-26 Parachute Adams.