South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers)
river in Colorado
The South Platte is the most popular river in Colorado, known for technical nymphing and prolific hatches close to Denver.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on South Platte River
- 01Crisp fall conditions with clear skies and 45°F temperatures.
- 02Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, especially on overcast afternoons.
- 03Strong year-round midge activity, focus on larval and pupal stages.
- 04Brown trout spawning activity makes egg patterns and scuds highly effective.
- 05Focus on runs and riffles above the bridge in Cheesman Canyon and deeper pools below Turnbull at Deckers.
- 06Employ smaller tippets (5x-6x) and precise dead-drift presentations for picky trout.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blood Dot Egg
As brown trout begin their spawning activity in the fall, egg patterns become highly effective, mimicking a significant calorie source in the drift.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A versatile searching nymph that imitates a variety of aquatic insects active subsurface, making it a reliable choice for fall nymphing on the South Platte.
PMD Comparadun (BWO)
While often associated with PMDs, this pattern also serves as an excellent imitation for fall Blue-Winged Olives, targeting selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
Streamers are always a good option for aggressive trout, especially larger brown trout in the fall, imitating leeches and baitfish in cooler waters.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a year-round, consistent food source in tailwaters like the South Platte, making this a reliable subsurface pattern, especially as water temperatures drop.
Buy at AmazonRS2
This versatile emerger is highly effective during fall midge and BWO hatches, imitating insects trapped in the surface film, a common feeding opportunity.
Comparadun (BWO)
Blue-Winged Olives are a key fall hatch on the South Platte, and this low-profile dry fly effectively imitates the adult stage, especially on overcast days.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
An essential nymph pattern, particularly effective during fall BWO periods and for imitating general mayfly nymphs active in the South Platte.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Deckers Access
The primary public parking and access point featuring several miles of high-quality tailwater.
The Toilet Bowl
The iconic area directly below the dam where massive trout feed on mysis shrimp.
Fly shops within 40 miles
North Fork Ranch Guide Service
Breckenridge Outfitters
Flies & Lies
Blue Quill Angler
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Colorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers).
What flies work best on South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers)?
Our top scored fly patterns for South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers) right now are San Juan Worm (95% confidence), Cranefly Larva (95% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (95% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers)?
South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers) holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon & Deckers) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.