Fishing Season: Year Round, Prime March through October

South Platte River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

Orvis Cherry Creek's Tip of the Week

Spring is here in Colorado! The flows are currently at 197 cfs. With the temperature in the 60's this coming week. Early in the am, trout are found in the deeper part of the river. Later on the day, be sure to target the riffles! Trout are keying on small midges (size 20-24) and BWOs (18-22) through out the day. Mercury midges, bling midges, RS2's, beatis patterns are proving effective. There are redds all over the river! Please watch out and do not step on the Reds! With spawning fish, leeches and eggs are really important attractor patterns to have in the box.

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 4/15/24

Cloudly with some sunner days later in the week! Use small midges in the am! Mayfly hatches, such as BWO's usually come later on in the morning.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/15/24

For Spring fishing, fish generally gathered at deeper pools in the AM and you will find be feeding in the riffles later. Small midges and baetis are the ticket, smaller diameter tippet and adjusting depth frequently is a key strategy. Fluorocarbon tippet in 5-7X 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 on an egg pattern 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. 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

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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, baetis, scuds, San Juan worms, egg patterns, trout classics (PT, CJ, etc.), mini leech, rubber legs and No Mercy Midge.

Best Time to Fish:

mid 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