North Fork of the South Platte River Fly Fishing Report | Modern Reports for Modern Anglers

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Welcome to the North Fork of the South Platte River—where the fish are feisty, the water's clear, and the only thing more diverse than the insect hatches is the crowd of anglers trying to outsmart them. This stretch of river is a hidden gem just outside of Denver, less crowded than its more famous cousins like Deckers or Cheesman Canyon, yet equally rich with opportunities to catch trophy-sized trout. If you’re tired of playing bumper rods with other anglers and ready to engage in some tactical fly fishing, the North Fork is calling your name.

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The North Fork of the South Platte is one of those rivers that keeps you coming back for more, even when it humbles you. March fishing here is a game of patience, as trout are still in winter mode, but longer days and early Baetis hatches are starting to wake them up. The flows are still low, so stealth is key—if you can see the fish, they can see you first.

Nymphing remains the best bet, but afternoon dry fly action is improving, especially on overcast days when Blue Wing Olives start popping. The biggest challenge? These fish see a ton of flies, so size down your tippet, perfect your drift, and be ready for rejection before success. Streamer fishing? Possible, but only with small, natural-colored patterns fished slow and deep.

Conditions Summary

• Flow Rate: 50-80 CFS (Low and technical)
• Water Temperature: 38-42°F
• Clarity: Clear but slightly stained after warm days
• Best Times: Late morning to mid-afternoon
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5 – Challenging, but rewarding for technical anglers)

River Flow Chart

North Fork of the South Platte Hatch Chart

Top Flies for the Week

• Dry Fly: Blue Wing Olive (#18-22) – Best fished on overcast afternoons when BWOs start emerging.
• Nymph: RS2 (#20-22) – The go-to pattern for picky tailwater trout.
• Streamer: Mini Leech (#10-12) – Fish slow and deep for the best chance at a reaction strike.

Tips for Fly Fishing the North Fork of the South Platte in March

Seasonal Tip

Warmer afternoons mean more active fish, but expect slow mornings until the sun warms things up.

Dry Fly

Watch for Baetis hatches mid-afternoon, but don’t expect consistent topwater action yet.

Nymphing

The most productive approach—go small, go deep, and keep drifts as natural as possible.

Streamer Fishing

Low flows make streamer fishing tough, but a slowly twitched leech or sculpin pattern can still move fish in deeper holes.

Access Points

Boxwood Gulch (Private Access)

• Description: Well-managed private water with huge trout.
• Why Fish Here: Best shot at trophy-sized fish, but requires a rod fee.
• Locals’ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rawhide Ranch (Private Access)

• Description: Less pressure, fewer anglers, but expensive to fish.
• Why Fish Here: Some of the biggest fish in the drainage.
• Locals’ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pine Valley Ranch (Public Access)

• Description: Great wade fishing, but fish are wary.
• Why Fish Here: One of the best public access areas for those willing to work for their fish.
• Locals’ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Local Regulations and Notes on Landowner Rights

• Much of the North Fork is private—respect property boundaries.
• Catch-and-release recommended on public sections.
• Flows are controlled by releases from reservoirs, so check flow gauges before heading out.
• Watch for ice and unstable banks in shaded areas.

Fishing the North Fork of the South Platte in March is a technical game, but the payoff can be huge. If you can outsmart these pressured fish, you’ll walk away with more than just a great catch—you’ll leave with serious bragging rights.

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