.png?width=300&height=100&name=Copy%20of%20Rise%20Beyond%20Logo%2012.31.24%20(300%20x%20100%20px).png "Rise Beyond Fly Fishing Co. logo featuring a cowboy riding a large trout, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a camera in the other, with stylized text in a rugged, outdoor-themed font")
.png)
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 isn’t hard to find. But it’s getting harder to fish well. This place has turned into Colorado’s favorite fish-by-numbers destination. And you can tell—there’s a guy in flip-flops walking a bead rig through a foam line while blasting music from his backpack. If that’s your scene, this report probably isn’t for you.
But if you're tired of burning gas just to stand shoulder to shoulder with dudes dragging San Juans through riffles like it’s still 2009, you’re in the right place. We fish this water multiple times a week. We see where the fish are holding, how the flows shift the bite window, and what patterns are producing—not just “in general,” but right now. Here’s what Deckers is actually doing this week—and how to fish it like it matters.
Listen to the Podcast
This Week’s No-BS Deckers Breakdown – Because you deserve more than recycled advice.
CONDITIONS SUMMARY – CLEAR, COLD, CROWDED
%20(4).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(4).png)
- Flow Rate: 325 CFS – stable, pushing hard in the middle
- Water Temp: 49°–54°F – just about perfect
- Air Temp: High 60s to mid 70s
- Clarity: 4+ feet – light green tint in the early hours
- Best Fishing Times: 6–10 AM and 4 PM to dark
- Worst Fishing Time: Noon, unless you enjoy dodging bobbers and tangles with tubbers.
HATCH PATTERNS – PMDs LEADING THE CHARGE
| Month | Main Hatch | Secondary Hatch | Real Talk Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Midges (#20–#24) | Baetis (#18–#20) | Match them, but don’t forget the emerger. Fish are shy. |
| June | PMDs (#16–#20) | Yellow Sallies | Fish tight. Drift clean. These trout are over it. |
| July | Tricos (#20–#24) | Caddis (#16–#18) | Spinner falls early. Show up before the parking lot fills. |
%20(12).png?width=600&height=338&name=Animas%20River%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(12).png)
TOP FLIES – THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY WORK
- Dry Fly: PMD Sparkle Dun, size 16 – keep it sparse and drag-free
- Nymph: Cheesman Emerger, size 22 – it’s the quiet killer
- Wildcard: Frenchie, size 18 – when you need a reset fly that just eats
- Streamer: Mini Dungeon (olive/white), size 6 – only toss it when the clouds come in and the pressure drops
FISHING STRATEGY – DON’T FOLLOW THE CROWD
- Early: Start deep. Use tungsten and soft seams. Fish are sluggish but feeding.
- Midday: If you must fish it, go small and subtle. 6X tippet, size 20–22 droppers, and tight presentations.
- Afternoon into Evening: Switch to dry-dropper in slick water. Cover ground. One cast per lane. Move.
- Streamer Time: If the sky grays out, tie one on. Target undercuts and backwater drop-offs with short strips.
ACCESS POINTS
1. Bridge Crossing
- Pros: Easy in, deep runs, decent sight lines
- Cons: You’re never alone here
- View Map – ★★★☆☆
2. Trumbull Picnic Area
- Pros: Shade, PMD risers, decent structure
- Cons: People will post up and not move all day
- View Map – ★★★★☆
3. Cheesman Canyon (Gill Trailhead)
- Pros: Technical water, big fish, no bobber circus
- Cons: You’ll earn every cast. Bring water and legs.
- View Map – ★★★★★
REGULATIONS & RIVER ETHICS – DON’T BE THAT GUY
- Barbless hooks are mandatory. That means crimp it or kick rocks.
- Catch and release strongly encouraged.
- Don’t blast music. Don’t fish over someone’s shoulder. Don’t litter.
- If the water hits 66°, go home.
FAQ – FOR THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY WANT TO LEARN
Is Deckers worth fishing right now?
Yes—but only if you’re fishing smarter than 90% of the crowd.
What’s producing most consistently?
PMDs on top, Cheesman Emergers below, and sparse dry-dropper rigs in the soft buckets.
Best fly line setup?
A 9-foot 5-weight with a long leader. 5X to 6X fluoro. Keep it subtle.
Why not just follow what Orvis says?
Because those reports are designed to sell gear, not help you catch fish.
Where can I get the flies in this report?
Right here: Shop our Colorado-tested fly packs. They’re what we fish, not what we mark up.
RISE BEYOND THE NOISE
This isn’t a blog farm. It’s not a newsletter to funnel you into a drift boat. This is a report from anglers who fish Deckers weekly, who don’t write for sponsors, and who don’t care if it offends the old guard.
We’re here to help you fish better—and if that makes us the black sheep of Colorado fly reports, so be it.
Subscribe to River Whisper. Buy flies from anglers, not salespeople.
Fish smart. Fish hard. Rise Beyond.
