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Deckers remains the most well known stretch of the South Platte River near Denver, and winter pushes this tailwater into a predictable, technical fishery that still produces quality fish when approached correctly.
Updated: March 4, 2026
Deckers is fishing technical but predictable. The flows are stable, the water is clear, and fish are holding in structured seams and defined tailouts. They are not moving far for food.
The difference right now is not finding fish. It is feeding them correctly. Micro profile midges. Natural tones. Depth control before fly changes. Fish the seam completely before stepping downriver.
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Conditions Summary
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- Flow: 152 CFS. Stable tailwater release creating defined seams and controlled depth transitions.
- Water Temperature: 39 °F
- Air Temperature: 44 °F
- Wind: 4 to 11 mph
- Clarity: Clear
- Crowds: Medium to High
- Primary Hatch: Midges
- Best Window: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Overall Rating: Reliable winter consistency with technical presentation required
River Flow Chart
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Source: USGS South Platte River at Trumbull
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
Primary Method: Structured Seam Nymphing
Primary Hatch: Midges
- Mercury Black Beauty Variant 20 to 22: Fish tight to bottom in defined walking speed seams.
- Top Secret Midge Natural Olive 22 to 24: Drift through tailouts where fish suspend slightly.
- Matt’s Midge Root Beer UV 20 to 22: Effective in slower transition water.
- CDC Transitional RS2 Gray 20 to 22: Fish 6 to 10 inches above bottom in feeding lanes.
- Chocolate Thread Midge Slim Profile 22 to 24: Use in pressured water with long leaders.
Secondary Hatch: Baetis
Weather
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
Primary Method: Nymphing | Primary Hatch: Midges
- Mercury Black Beauty Variant 20 to 22: Fish tight to bottom in defined walking speed seams.
- Top Secret Midge Natural Olive 22 to 24: Drift through tailouts where fish suspend slightly.
- Matt’s Midge Root Beer UV 20 to 22: Effective in slower transition water.
- CDC Transitional RS2 Gray 20 to 22: Fish 6 to 10 inches above bottom in feeding lanes.
- Chocolate Thread Midge Slim Profile 22 to 24: Use in pressured water with long leaders.
Secondary Hatch: Baetis
- JuJu Baetis Olive 18 to 20: Fish near bottom during mild afternoon activity.
- Barr’s Graphic BWO Nymph 18 to 20: Clean drift in softer inside bends.
- Film Critic BWO Emerger 18 to 20: Raise in the column during subtle hatch windows
Attractor and Streamer
- Mini Pine Squirrel Leech Olive 10 to 12: Slow strip along deeper banks midday.
- Thin Mint Bugger Micro Olive 10: Swing lightly through tailouts
Pro Rig of the Week: Deckers Winter Seam Rig
Indicator: Small New Zealand style yarn
Lead Fly: Mercury Black Beauty 20
Dropper: CDC RS2 Gray 20
Weight: Micro split shot 10 to 12 inches above lead fly
Target Water: Defined walking speed seams and tailouts below riffles
Deckers Hatch Chart – February
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 20 to 26 | Dominant winter forage |
| Baetis | 18 to 20 | Subtle afternoon activity |
| Scuds | 16 to 18 | Present in slower edges |
Access Points
Trumbull Stretch | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0
Premier winter access with consistent seams.
Upper Pull Offs | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5
Less pressure but fewer prime lanes.
Lower Bend Runs | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Defined seams that fish well midday.
Cheesman Canyon Road Access | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0
Limited space with technical water.
Deckers Bridge Stretch | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0
Defined seams and classic tailwater structure.
Upper Deckers Pull Offs | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Less pressure, solid winter depth lanes.
Chesebro Access | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Consistent walking speed seams.
Badger Basin Area | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Good winter tailouts and transitions.
Downstream Tailouts | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5
Broader water requiring careful depth control.
Stop Here After the River
Bud’s Bar — Sedalia
Old-school, cash-only, unapologetic Colorado.
This is the place guides hit when they want something simple and perfect after a long day on the South Platte. Order the single cheeseburger with onions, grab a side of chips, and take in the atmosphere that hasn’t changed in decades. It’s loud, it’s honest, and it hits the spot after hiking in and out of canyon water all day.
Local Regulations & Notes
Artificial flies and lures onlyWatch for ice shelves near shaded banks
Respect redds in shallow gravel runs
Deckers gets heavy pressure; stealth and quiet wading matter
Adjust weight often to maintain drift control in low flows
Photo of the Month
Credit: Colorado Trout Hunters
Book Colorado Trout Hunters for Private Waters and Top access along the South Platte
FAQ
Is Deckers Good for Fly Fishing in Winter?
Yes. Deckers fly fishing in winter is consistently productive due to stable tailwater flows and predictable trout behavior during short midday feeding windows.
How Far Is Deckers from Denver?
Deckers is approximately one hour southwest of Denver, making it one of the most popular destinations for fly fishing near Denver year round.
Q: What’s the best technique at Deckers in December?
A: Deep, slow nymphing with small midges and long tippet.
Q: Are there any dry-fly opportunities?
A: Only rare midge clusters on warm, still afternoons.
Q: Where should I start if I only have a few hours?
A: Deckers Bridge and Trumbull offer the most consistent winter water.
Q: Do streamers produce in winter?
A: Occasionally, but use micro leeches and slow swings in deeper water.
Q: How pressured is Deckers right now?
A: Moderate; cold days thin crowds, but weekends remain busy.
Q: What weight tippet do I need?
A: 5X for attractors and 6X for midge droppers.
Q: Is Deckers good in winter?
A: Yes. It is one of the most reliable winter fisheries in Colorado due to stable tailwater flows.
Q: What is the biggest mistake anglers make here in winter?
A: Fishing too heavy and moving too fast. Depth control and patience matter more than fly choice.
Q: Can you catch fish all day?
A: Rarely. The best fishing is typically late morning through early afternoon.
Q: Are streamers worth throwing right now?
A: Occasionally, but small nymphs outproduce streamers most days in winter flows.
Q: How crowded does Deckers get in winter?
A: Weekends can be busy near town, but walking a short distance improves solitude.
Q: What tippet size works best?
A: 5X to your lead fly and 6X to your midge dropper is the standard winter setup.
