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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.
Deckers is running 212 CFS, crystal clear, and right in that sweet spot for fall fishing. The canyon browns are tuned into Tricos in the mornings and BWOs on cooler/cloudy afternoons. Nymph rigs are the bread-and-butter most of the day, but a well-placed Trico spinner early or a small streamer in the evening shadows can turn heads.
Pressure is medium — expect anglers at the obvious pull-offs, but you can find space if you’re willing to walk.
Listen to the Podcast
Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Deckers Dispatch
We cover exactly how to fish the Trico spinner fall, which nymphs are producing, and how to outsmart trout that have already seen three Parachute Adams before breakfast.
Conditions Summary
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- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ — steady action if you nail the hatch timing
- Flow Rate: 212 CFS — excellent, wadeable, and trout-friendly
- Water Temp: Mid-40s°F — stable and safe for trout activity
- Air Temp: 40s°F at dawn, warming into 70s midday
- Clarity: Clear — stealth and finesse required
- Best Times: 7–11 AM for Tricos; 4–7 PM for BWOs and streamer shots
- Fishing Pressure: Medium — popular, but manageable with walking
Hatch Chart – September at Deckers
| Insect Group | Presence |
|---|---|
| Tricos | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| BWOs | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Midges | ⭐⭐ |
| Caddis | ⭐⭐ |
| PMDs | ⭐ |
Notes: Tricos dominate mornings, BWOs slip in with clouds, midges keep trout feeding under the surface, and caddis linger on warmer afternoons.
Flies to Tie On
Nymphs / Emergers
- WD-40 (#22)
- RS2 (#20-22, gray/olive)
- JuJu Baetis (#20-22)
- Zebra Midge (#22-24)
Dries / Terrestrials
- Blue Wing Olive (#20)
- CDC Trico Spinner (#22-24)
- Parachute Adams (#20-22)
- Micro Chubby (#16, for dropper rigs)
Streamers
- Mini Leech (#12, black/olive)
- Slumpbuster (#12-14)
- Thin Mint Bugger (#12)
Tactical Playbook
- Morning (7–11 AM): Trico spinner fall is prime. Fish long leaders (12–14 ft, 6X/7X) with micro-droppers.
- Midday: Double-nymph rigs with WD-40s, RS2s, and JuJu Baetis. Small shot, subtle drifts in slots.
- Evening (4–7 PM): BWOs on cloudy days, caddis if it stays warm. Small streamers can move fish in shaded banks.
- Rig Note: Keep rigs light and precise. Deckers trout won’t forgive sloppy presentations.
Access & Flow Zones
- Trumbull to Deckers: Classic runs, easy access but often pressured.
- Downstream toward Wigwam Creek: Good variety of pocket water, less traffic.
- Upper Meadows: Productive riffle/run water, great for dry-dropper setups.
FAQs – Deckers
Q: Is Deckers crowded right now?
A: Medium pressure. Popular pull-offs are busy, but hiking spreads anglers out.
Q: What’s the hot bug?
A: Trico spinners in the morning, followed by WD-40s and RS2s.
Q: Do streamers work at Deckers?
A: Yes, especially in low-light conditions. Keep them small and natural.
Q: Can I wade safely at 212 CFS?
A: Absolutely. Flows are in the ideal wadeable range.
Q: Best rod setup?
A: 9’ 4–5 wt with a long leader (12–14 ft) and fine tippet (6X/7X).
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River Whisper | Best Fly Fishing Right Now
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.
