Fishing Season: Year Round, Prime March through October

South Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

44

Orvis Cherry Creek's Tip of the Week

Spring is here. Weather is up to 80 degree today; fishing is good! The water temperature is in the high 40 and 50’s. This time of year, midges are a touch bigger and BWO are hatching. Dry flies fishing is coming along great, usually in late morning and afternoon! The flow will fluctuate The flow today is 156 cfs. 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 best time to fish is between 7 am to 7 pm. With the warmer weather, start up-sizing the flies to 18, and 20. Trouts are now feeding in the riffles more so than in the winter! They are still spooky and picky! The trouts are more spread out with higher flow. Fish will key on particular flies, midges (size 20-24) and BWOs (20-22) through out the day. Mercury midges, bling midges, Top Secret emergers, Chocolate Thunders, RS2's and all small beatis patterns are proving effective. UV scuds, worms, cranefly larvae, stoneflies, and brown and olive leeches are great attractors. Late morning, watch for hatches! Dry flies fishing should start late morning and/or the late afternoon if and when you see hatches. Micro San Juan worms and eggs are the effective flies! Please handle the fish with care!

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 4/11/25

The flow is at 156 cfs. This is a perfect flow for trout fishing! Use midges and BWO all day! Watch out for dries with the cloudy days.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/11/25

For Spring fishing, fish generally spread out with the higher float right now. Small midges and baetis are the ticket, smaller diameter tippet and adjusting depth frequently is a key strategy. Match the hatches!! Fluorocarbon tippets in 5 & 6 and even 7X are most effective for nymphing. Utilize heavier split shot or larger tungsten head point flies to get down deep, adjust depth prior to switching patterns. With lower water level, use smaller indicator! If you're not having success with the micro flies and midges, throw out scuds, leeches, eggs 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, Adam’s, no mercy midge, mole flies and Matt's midge are the keys. Adams and Griffith’s Gnats are great dry 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):
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Natural 18-20
Rojo Midge Red 20-24
Midge Black/Red 20-26
Bead Head Brassie™ Brass 18-24
Juan’s Money Midge Brown 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
Egg Patterns Orange, Yellow 14-20

Tunghead Pheasant Tail

Adding tungsten beads to mayfly patterns is relatively new.

2.99

Item #144J

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:

Midges, BWO, scuds, San Juan worms, trout classics (PT, CJ, etc.), mini leech, rubber legs, No Mercy Midge, Eggs.

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