.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)
The tailwater is running low and steady, clarity is excellent, and trout are holding in deep winter seams and soft walking-speed lanes. Expect reliable midday feeding windows when sunlight reaches the water and just enough consistency to reward anglers who fish patiently. This is classic Deckers winter fly fishing: dependable, technical, and quietly productive.
-1.png?width=1200&height=675&name=South%20Platte%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20Near%20Decker%20Colorado%20(1)-1.png)
Updated: December 15, 2025
The South Platte River at Deckers is locked into its most predictable winter pattern. Cold bottom-release flows keep water temperatures stable, trout behavior consistent, and feeding windows repeatable day to day. This is why Deckers remains the most popular winter section on the South Platte. The fishing is not easy, but it is reliable.
This week’s update for Deckers fly fishing centers on depth and discipline. Trout are stacked in deeper troughs, long glides, and soft edges just off the main current. Midges dominate the menu, with baetis nymphs showing on milder afternoons. Keep your rigs light, your drifts clean, and your expectations realistic.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Conditions Summary
Flow: Stable low winter tailwater release
Water Temperature: Mid 30s and consistent
Air Temperature: High 30s to mid 40s during the day, colder mornings
Clarity: Very clear
Crowds: Moderate, lighter on weekdays
Best Window: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fishing Type Focus: Nymphing with small midges and baetis, precise depth control
Weather
.
Deckers Colorado Weather
Expect cold mornings followed by mild, sunny afternoons that drive the best fishing of the day. Clear skies help stabilize water temperatures, while light cloud cover can actually improve midge activity. Once canyon shadows stretch across the river, the bite shuts down quickly.
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
- Black Beauty 20 to 24
- Mercury Midge 20 to 22
- Zebra Midge (black or red) 20 to 22
- RS2 (black or gray) 20 to 22
- WD-40 20 to 22
- Juju Baetis 18 to 22
- Barrs Emerger 18 to 20
- Small Pheasant Tail 18 to 20
- Mini Leech (black or olive) 12 to 14
Pro Rig of the Week: Deckers Winter Seam Rig
- Indicator: Small yarn or low-profile air-lock
- Lead Fly: Barrs Emerger 18 to 20 or Small Pheasant Tail 18
- Dropper: Black Beauty or Zebra Midge 20 to 22
- Weight: One small to medium split shot adjusted to tick bottom consistently
- Target Water: Long glides, deep winter troughs, and soft seams just off the main flow
Hatch Chart for December
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 20 to 26 | Primary winter food source |
| Baetis nymphs | 18 to 22 | Active on warmer afternoons |
| Scuds | 14 to 18 | Useful as an anchor fly in deeper runs |
Dowload the South Platte Hatch Chart
Access Points
Deckers Bridge Area
Easy access, consistent winter holding water, and deep lanes.
⭐ 4.7
Trumbull Section
Longer runs with softer edges perfect for winter nymphing.
⭐ 4.6
Oxbow Bend
Slower winter water with dependable mid-depth troughs.
⭐ 4.5
Scraggy View Area
More gradient changes; trout slide into deeper pockets in winter.
⭐ 4.4
Below the Confluence
Cold but surprisingly productive during bright afternoons.
⭐ 4.3
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 only
- Watch 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
FAQ
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.
Companion Article for December
Photo of the Month
Credit: Colorado Trout Hunters
Book Colorado Trout Hunters for Private Waters and Top access along the South Platte
