Deckers – South Platte
14 Day Forecast: Look for hatches of midges, blue-winged olives, and caddis.
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Jujubaetis, #18-20 Top Secret Baetis, #20-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22 Zebra Midge, #22-24 Bling Midge, #18-20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20 Sparkle Dun, #18 Mole Fly, #20 Parachute BWO, #20 Hi-Vis Baetis, 20-22 Parachute Adams, #22 Pat's Midge, Matt's Midge, #22 Hi Vis Griffith Gnat.
Measurements
Colorado Fly Fishing Report for Deckers on the South Platte by Pat Dorsey
The mileage below Cheesman Canyon is the renowned Deckers area, a world-class fishery with easy access and lots of opportunity. The best fishing is from Bridge Crossing to the lower boundary of the Tee Pee Club. Like Cheesman Canyon, the fish are challenging to catch, and there is no substitution for a good dead drift. Deckers can offer good dry fly fishing at times but like upstream in the “The Canyon” a good nympher will catch the majority of fish. Anglers can expect to catch assortment of browns and rainbows with some exceeding 20 inches. The river is made up of riffles, runs, shelves and gravel bars, and nice pocket water. The ideal flow for Deckers is between 150 and 400 cfs. The regulations are two trout over 16 inches in length and flies and lures only. Please consider catch and release on all fish caught in the area.
Deckers 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.
Tips & Other Information:
Outflows are about 145 cfs as the feeder creeks are adding an additional 20 cfs. This low level moisture is good for fire danger and water storage in Strontia Springs Reservoir. I’m suprised Denver Water did not cut the flows back below Cheesman with all the recent rainfall. Cheesman Reservoir is at 85% capacity which is concerning now that our snow pack has dwindled. Denver Water tells me Cheesman Reservoir will NOT spill this year. Fishing has been good in the Deckers area as of late for 7- 12 inch trout. Fish over 12 inches are fewer in numbers. This is my personal finding and is supported by the latest electro-shocking data. Plan for a good midge hatch in the morning, followed by a mid-day lull, then some blue-winged olives in the afternoon. Overcast days are producing the best hatches. Size 22-24 Mercury Midges, Black Beauties, and Top Secret Midges have been the flies of choice lately for the midge-bite. Top Secret Baetis, and Chocolate Foam Wing Emergers are a good choice when you start to see some Baetis moving. When the BWO hatch becomes evident, it’s hard to go wrong with a Sparkle Dun, Para BWO, Hi-Vis Baetis, Mole Fly, Blue Quill, Blue Dun, or Para Adams in sizes 18-20. Caddis are starting to become a factor so make sure you are carrying a few larvae and pupae. Revised 5/8/25