South Platte River Fly Fishing Guide: Best Sections, Flies & Access

Fly Fishing the South Platte River: Colorado’s Most Complete Guide

The South Platte River isn’t just a Colorado classic — it’s a whole family of rivers, canyons, tailwaters, forks, and reservoirs. Depending on where you stand, it can feel like a high-country meadow stream full of eager brookies, a graduate-school classroom for technical trout, or an urban waterway where carp test your drag. In short: it’s the river system that has something for everyone.

This guide covers the best overall section, the most overlooked gem, and a full breakdown of every major stretch, fork, and reservoir worth fishing on the South Platte.

The Best Overall Section: Cheesman Canyon

If you only had one day on the South Platte, Cheesman Canyon is the section to fish.

• Why it’s the best: It’s a tailwater that fishes 365 days a year with strong insect life, stable flows, and trophy trout.
• What makes it special: Gin-clear water, picky fish, and some of the most technical nymphing in the state.
• Pro tip: Bring 6X or 7X tippet and a long leader. Presentation matters more than pattern here.

Cheesman will humble you, but it will also make you a better angler.

The Most Overlooked Section: Waterton Canyon

Just 30 minutes from downtown Denver, Waterton Canyon is an underrated stretch below Strontia Springs Reservoir.

• Why it’s overlooked: Everyone drives past it chasing Cheesman or Deckers.
• Why you should fish it: Wild browns and rainbows, gorgeous canyon scenery, and a good chance of spotting bighorn sheep on the hike in.
• Access: No cars allowed — it’s hike or bike only, which keeps pressure lower than other front-range options.

On a weekday, you might have this canyon nearly to yourself while Deckers is shoulder-to-shoulder.

Full List of South Platte River Segments

Here’s the complete breakdown of every major stretch, fork, and reservoir that makes the South Platte one of Colorado’s most versatile fisheries:

Upper Forks of the South Platte

• North Fork South Platte (Bailey / Pine Valley): Smaller stream with pocket water and eager browns. Great summer dry-fly fishing.
• Middle Fork South Platte (Fairplay / Alma): High-elevation meadow stream that feeds Antero Reservoir. Known for brookies and cutthroat.
• South Fork South Platte (near Hartsel): Less pressure than the others, with solid brown trout numbers. Flows into Spinney Reservoir.

Tailwaters & Famous Stretches

• Deckers: Denver’s day-trip fishery. High pressure but consistent fishing year-round.
• Dream Stream (Spinney to Elevenmile): Iconic for migratory trophy browns and rainbows moving between reservoirs. Best in fall and spring.
• Elevenmile Canyon: Pocket water, classic riffle-run-pool structure, and strong hatches of BWOs, Tricos, and caddis.
• Cheesman Canyon: The most technical and rewarding section on the river.
• Waterton Canyon: The South Platte sleeper. Great fish, fewer people.

Reservoirs That Define the Platte

• Chatfield Reservoir & Tailwaters– A warmwater option with carp, bass, walleye, and stocked trout
• Spinney Mountain Reservoir – Stillwater trophy fishery with pike, cutbows, and rainbows.
• Elevenmile Reservoir – Both a fishery and the source of Elevenmile Canyon flows.
• Cheesman Reservoir – Critical water supply that feeds Cheesman Canyon.
• Strontia Springs Reservoir – Feeds Waterton Canyon.

Urban & Downstream Waters

• Denver South Platte (DSP): Carp on the fly, smallmouth bass, and the occasional trout in the middle of the city.
• Below Chatfield Reservoir to Platte Canyon: Transitional water that sees less pressure but can surprise with solid fish.

Top Flies for the South Platte

Every section fishes a little differently, but these patterns earn their place in any box:

• RS2 (#20–#24) – Cheesman and Dream Stream standby.
• Pheasant Tail (#18–#22) – Elevenmile Canyon workhorse.
• Black Beauty Midge (#22–#26) – Year-round producer everywhere.
• Juju Baetis (#20–#22) – Deckers and Cheesman favorite.
• Hopper-Dropper setups (Chubby + Tungsten Midge) – Perfect for summer winds and late season terrestrials.

Seasonal Playbook

• Winter: Midges in tailouts, light rigs, patient drifts.
• Spring: Baetis hatches and pre-spawn browns in the Dream Stream.
• Summer: Tricos, PMDs, caddis, and hopper-dropper season.
• Fall: Streamers for migratory browns, plus strong BWO action on cloudy days.

FAQs on the South Platte

What’s the easiest stretch for beginners?
Deckers and the North Fork are forgiving, with easy access and plenty of fish.

What’s the hardest stretch?
Cheesman Canyon — long hikes, crystal-clear water, and trout that demand perfection.

Where’s the best trophy water?
The Dream Stream during fall or spring migrations.

What about fishing near Denver?
Waterton Canyon and the Denver South Platte give you solid options within 30 minutes of downtown.