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Nestled just an hour from Denver, the Deckers stretch of the South Platte River is a renowned playground for fly fishing enthusiasts. Known for its crystal-clear waters, challenging trout, and stunning scenery, Deckers offers a mix of excitement and tranquility that keeps anglers coming back year-round.
South Platte River Fly Fishing Report – Deckers (Aug 22, 2025)
Deckers is running in classic late-summer form: low, clear, and technical. This isn’t “cast and hope” water — it’s a chess match. Flows are holding around 230 CFS, visibility is perfect, and trout are in full-on selective feeding mode.
The bite is best in the early mornings with Tricos, rolling into PMDs mid-morning, and then hoppers and ants in the afternoon. Crowds are heavy on weekends, but with stealth, long leaders, and 6X fluoro, you can still put fish in the net.
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Conditions Summary
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- Flow Rate: ~230 CFS
- Water Temp: 57–62°F mid-morning
- Air Temp: 62–84°F
- Clarity: Crystal clear
- Best Times: 6:30–11 AM (hatches), 1–3 PM (hopper bite)
- Fishing Pressure: High (especially weekends)
- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (rewarding, but technical)
Deckers Hatch Chart
| Month | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Midges | Hoppers | Ants/Beetles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| July | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| August | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| Sept | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Flies to Try – Deckers (Aug 22)
Nymphs
- TDJ Sunken Trico – 20–22
- Sparkle Wing RS2 – 20–24 (gray/olive)
- Barr’s PMD Emerger – 18–20
- Frenchie – 18
- Juju Baetis – 20–22
- Zebra Midge – 20–24
Dries
- CDC Biot Trico Spinner – 22–24
- Parachute Adams – 20–22
- Sparkle Dun PMD – 18–20
- Amy’s Ant – 14
- Black Beetle – 16
- Elk Hair Caddis – 16
Streamers
- Mini Dungeon (olive/natural)
- Baby Gonga (brown)
- Thin Mint Bugger – 10
Tips for Fishing Deckers Right Now
- Morning: Hit riffle tailouts during the Trico spinner fall with tiny CDC spinners.
- Midday: Switch to PMD emergers and light nymph rigs.
- Afternoon: Prospect shady banks with ants and hoppers.
- Rigging: Long leaders (12–14 ft), 6X fluoro, and stealth are mandatory.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge Crossing | Classic runs, heavy pressure | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Trumbull Area | Riffle/pool water, solid hatch activity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Lone Rock | Hopper banks and dry-dropper water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Downstream Canyon | Fewer anglers, tougher wading | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Regulations & Notes
- Catch-and-release only
- Artificial flies/lures only
- Barbless strongly encouraged
FAQs – Deckers Fly Fishing
Q: What’s the top hatch right now?
A: Tricos at sunrise, PMDs mid-morning, terrestrials in the afternoon.
Q: Do hoppers work at Deckers?
A: Yes — Amy’s Ant and small hoppers are working in shady banks mid-day.
Q: How bad are the crowds?
A: Heavy on weekends. Arrive early or fish downstream stretches for more space.
Q: Is streamer fishing worth it?
A: Yes, but keep it subtle and small.
Q: Best rod setup?
A: A 9’ 5-weight with long leaders. A euro setup works well in riffles.
Q: Is wet wading OK?
A: Yes — flows are comfortable for wet wading right now.
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River Whisper Flow & Forecast Insights
Real-time flows and seasonal context pulled straight from the DWR and USGS — so you can fish smarter, not just harder. Updated daily, decoded weekly.
