Fishing Season: Year Round, Prime March through October

South Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

58

Orvis Cherry Creek's Tip of the Week

Deckers is still a very healthy river! The flows have been steady around 265 cfs for the last few weeks. This year the trout are smaller than the past years! Trouts around 12 to 18’ are generally caught this year whereas in the past, large trout around 20” plus are readily available! The temperature in the coming week will be in the 70’s. The trouts will be concentrated in the seams and in the run in the AM. In the afternoon, check out the riffles! Don't forget BWOs (20-22), midges (size 20-24)through out the day. Mercury midges, bling midges, Top Secret emergers, Chocolate Thunders, RS2's and all small beatis patterns are proving effective. Caddies are really an important food sources! Must have flies this week still are the buckskins Caddies. UV scuds, worms, stoneflies, cranefly larvae and brown and olive leeches are great attractors. By late morning, watch for hatches! Dry flies fishing should start late morning or the late afternoon. Hoppers season is about over! San Juan worms are the effective flies especially with higher water level!

Directions open in app

Map of South Platte River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Orvis Cherry Creek
Anglers Covey
Freestone Outfitters
Sunrise Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 10/3/24

The flow stays level at 265 cfs! Wind will be the usual 7 to 15 mph range. Wild fire is on going in Colorado! The air quality is poor in some places. Fishing condition is good with the steady flow the last three weeks. Use midges in the am! Caddies and Mayfly hatches, such as BWO's usually come later on in the morning. Watch out for dries with the cloudy days. Olive and brown mini leeches are very effective right now. Since the flow has come to a manageable level, check out the riffles late AM and in the afternoon!. Cheeseman reservoir is around 97% right now and releasing from the bottom. The water is still very cold. Wet wading in cold water in the am needs to be careful! Don't staying in the water for too long. Fishing is very technical!

Techniques & Tips as of 10/3/24

For fall fishing, fish generally gathered at deeper pools in early AM, run in the AM and you will find them feeding in the riffles later. Small midges and baetis are the ticket, smaller diameter tippet and adjusting depth frequently is a key strategy. Match the hatches!! Fluorocarbon tippet in 5 & 6 X is most effective for nymphing. Utilize heavier split shot or larger tungsten head point flies to get down deep, adjust depth prior to switching patterns. If you're not having success with the micro flies and midges, throw out caddies, scuds, leeches or worm. I like to use mini leeches to entice the trouts especially when nothing is working! If you see some action on the top water, no mercy midge or Matt's midge are the keys. Adams are great flies to use in the early and late afternoon! With the flow this week, 5X and 6X will catch you a lot of fish. Come see Gene at Orvis Cherry Creek for more information!

Local Species Available Year Round, Prime March through October

  • Fish Icon

    Brown and Rainbow Trout

Orvis Cherry Creek's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Natural 18-20
Rojo Midge Red 20-24
Midge Black/Red 20-26
Bead Head Brassie™ Brass 18-24
Top Secret Midge Brown or Purple 20-24
Splitcase BWO Olive 18-22
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Natural 6-12
Bead Head Prince Black 20-22
Mayer's Mini Leech Black/ Olive/ Brown 14-16
Poison Tung Black or Blue 20-24

Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail

Wet fly patterns don't get any better than this.

2.49

Item #164J

Buy Now

Orvis Cherry Creek's Recommended Gear

Description: About South Platte River

The South Platte River (Cheesman Canyon to Chatfield Reservoir) The South Platte River is one of the best small tailwater fisheries in the world. Offering anglers over 100 miles of public access and easy walk wade fishing, the South Platte is a combination of three forks which have as their headwaters the 14,000 foot peaks of the Colorado Rockies. This river is famous for prolific midge, mayfly, and caddis hatches where dry fly and nymph fishing are second to none. The river is accessed within a 2 hour drive of Denver, and can be fished year-round . Picturesque Cheesman Canyon, famous for big rainbows, granite boulders, and crystal clear water, is a favorite hiking and fly-fishing destination just 54 miles from downtown Denver. “Big fish eat small flies here!" Species: Trout, Brown, Cutbows, Rainbows, and Cutthroat. Resources: Orvis Cherry Creek 303-355-4554, Anglers Covey 719-471-2984 www.anglerscovey.com Maps: Delorme Gazetteer, Fly fisher’s guide to Colorado

Nearest Airport:

Denver International Aiport

Hatches:

Baetis, caddis, midges, scuds, San Juan worms, trout classics (PT, CJ, etc.), mini leech, rubber legs, No Mercy Midge and don't forget hopper dropper in the afternoon!

Best Time to Fish:

early morning to dusk with nymphs and the occasional streamer

Best Stretch:

Cheesman Canyon, Deckers to Night Hawk Hill

Best Access:

Upstream from the bridge at Deckers and the Bridge Crossing day use area