What is the best section of the South Platte River for fly fishing?

Cheesman Canyon is widely considered the crown jewel of the South Platte system, offering catch-and-release-only water with trophy rainbows (18-22 inches) and year-round hatches. It requires a 30-45 minute hike and is extremely technical. For more accessible fishing, Deckers offers 18 miles of water with approximately 3,000 trout per mile. The Dream Stream is best for trophy fishing during spring rainbow runs (February-March) and fall brown trout migrations (September-October).

What are the best flies for Cheesman Canyon?

Year-round essentials include Black Beauty midges (sizes 22-26), Zebra Midges, RS2 emergers (sizes 18-22), JuJu Baetis (sizes 18-22), and Griffith's Gnats. In spring and fall, add BWO patterns including Barr's Emergers and Sparkle Duns. Summer adds PMD, caddis, and trico patterns. Always carry sizes down to 24-26 and fish 6X-7X tippet.

What are the ideal flows for fishing the South Platte at Deckers?

Ideal flows for the Deckers stretch are between 150 and 400 CFS. Winter flows typically run 50-100 CFS, providing excellent sight fishing in crystal-clear water. Summer flows can spike to 500-1,200+ CFS during reservoir releases but remain fishable — higher flows concentrate fish along banks and seams. Check USGS gauge 06701500 (South Platte River below Cheesman Lake) for current conditions.

When is the best time to fish the Dream Stream?

The Dream Stream has two prime windows: late February through March when large rainbows (up to 10+ pounds) migrate up from Eleven Mile Reservoir to spawn, and late September through October when trophy browns enter the stream. Summer offers excellent trico, PMD, and caddis dry fly fishing from June through August. Wind is always a factor in the open South Park valley.

South Platte River Hatch Guide

Name: South Platte River Complete Fly Guide
Brand: FlyFisherPro
Price: 19.99 USD
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