Right now
Live from USGS gauge 06701900 and National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Midges #22–26, egg, mini leech, small BWO on cloudy afternoons
- Rig
- Two-fly nymph rig: leech or egg up top, midge 14" below. 5x to 6x. Adjust weight until you tick bottom.
Best flow range here: about 80 to 300 cfs. The live flow above tells you where today sits.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- South Platte River below Cheesman Canyon
- Drive from Denver
- About 1.5–2 hours, depending on where you start
- Access
- Roadside pull-offs along the river
- Best for
- Accessible tailwater fishing, nymphing and hatches
- Season
- Year-round
- Gauge
- USGS 06701900, South Platte below Brush Creek near Trumbull
- Dogs
- Generally allowed on public stretches; keep them leashed
Where to park
Forest Service lot just north of Deckers
- A Forest Service lot sits about 100 yards downstream of the stores at the Deckers bridge. More pull-offs line the road north toward Trumbull and Scraggy View Picnic Ground.
- Public and private land alternate along this stretch. Fish where you see public access signs and skip anything posted.
Scraggy View Picnic Ground
- The downstream end of the Gold Medal water, and usually quieter than the bridge.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
Below Cheesman Canyon, the South Platte runs past the small crossroads of Deckers and along the road for miles. That roadside access is why it's so popular: you can fish within sight of the car, move fast, and keep a dog or a cold kid close by.
It's still a tailwater, so it fishes year-round. But the access works both ways: on weekends, the best runs fill up by mid-morning.
Why Deckers sometimes fishes poorly
When people say Deckers was a bust, the cause is usually timing or pressure. These fish see a lot of anglers. Show up at noon on a Saturday and fish the obvious runs with the wrong size fly, and you'll go home skunked.
- Go on a weekday, or be on the water early on weekends.
- Size down: #22–24 midges and 6x tippet.
- Fish the slow, deep seams, not the fast riffles, especially in cold months.
- Change your weight before your flies, and keep the drift on the bottom.
Flows
Releases from Cheesman control the flow here too, with a little extra from tributaries. Moderate flows are the easiest to wade and read. A sudden bump or drop can put the fish off for a few hours, so check the gauge on the morning you go.
Flies and rigs
- Year-round: midge larva and pupa, small zebra midges, RS2s.
- Spring and fall: Baetis nymphs and emergers; dries on overcast afternoons.
- Summer: PMDs, caddis and tricos, plus terrestrials along the grassy banks.
- Attractors: small eggs, San Juan worms and mini leeches as the top fly, ahead of a midge.
A two-fly nymph rig under an indicator is the standard. Fish an attractor up top and a small, natural-looking fly 12–16 inches below.
Regulations
Much of this water is Gold Medal with special regulations. Rules for tackle and bag limits vary by stretch, so check the CPW Fishing Atlas for the exact section before you keep anything.
Reading the water at Deckers
Look for the slow, deep seams where fast water meets slow, the tailouts below riffles, and the soft water along the banks. In cold months, the fish hold in the slowest, deepest runs. In summer, they spread into the riffles. The obvious pools by the parking pull-offs get fished hardest, so walk a few minutes and you'll find fish that see fewer flies.
Best time to go
Weekdays beat weekends. In winter, fish from late morning to mid-afternoon. In spring and fall, overcast days bring the best Baetis hatches. In summer, mornings are cooler and less crowded, and an evening caddis hatch can be worth staying for.
Know before you go
- Check the live gauge the morning you go. A release change can turn a good day into a slow one.
- Read the exact stretch's rules in the CPW Fishing Atlas, since special regulations vary within a river.
- Carry a current Colorado fishing license. Annual licenses run April 1 through March 31.
- Check the road: COtrip for I-70, US-285 and US-24 in winter.
- Pack for the season: in cold months, gloves, hand warmers, a thermos and traction for icy banks.
Where to eat and gear up
Stops in Deckers. Dog-friendly means leashed dogs on the patio; call to confirm, especially in winter.
| Stop | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Deckers Corner | Food | General store + café, right at the river |
| Sprucewood Inn | Food | Burgers & green chili, on the way out |
| Flies & Lies | Fly shop / tackle | The Deckers/Cheesman shop. Stop first |
Questions anglers ask
- How far is Deckers from Denver?
- Plan on about 1.5–2 hours from north Denver, less from the southwest suburbs. Mountain roads are slow in winter weather.
- Why didn't I catch anything at Deckers?
- The fish are pressured and picky. Go on a weekday, use smaller flies on lighter tippet, and nymph the slow, deep water from late morning to mid-afternoon.
- Can you fish Deckers in winter?
- Yes. It's a tailwater and stays fishable all winter. Midges are the main food.
- What flies work at Deckers?
- Small midges (#22–24), RS2s and Baetis nymphs year-round, with an egg or San Juan worm as the top fly. Add PMDs, caddis and tricos in summer.
- Where can I buy flies or tackle near Deckers (South Platte)?
- Flies & Lies is the closest shop. The Deckers/Cheesman shop. Stop first.
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