Today's Read
South Platte River is fishing around midges and blue-winged olives. Start with the patterns below and adjust only after fish show you something different.
Deckers, Colorado
Best Flies For South Platte River
Fish the slow seams with a shallow, technical nymph rig first, then adjust toward emergers or a small dry only if you see steady noses.
Bugs & Best Matches
What's active
Fish this
Midges, size 20-24, all day with strongest windows early and late
Top Secret Midge, size 20-24, nymph; RS2 olive or gray, size 20-22, emerger
Blue-winged olives, size 18-22, late morning through afternoon
BWO Barr Emerger, size 18-20, nymph
Caddis prep and pupa activity, size 14-16, sporadic warm afternoons
Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, size 20-22, emerger
General subsurface
Parachute Adams, size 20-22, dry; Black Beauty, size 20-24, nymph
How To Fish These Flies
- Keep the rig shallow enough to drift clean through the softer seam instead of hanging in every slot.
- Focus on slower shelves, tailout lips, and the soft cushion beside faster current rather than the heaviest riffle water.
- If fish start showing on top, cut back to one dry and one emerger or a single dry. Long, drag-free drifts matter more than covering more water.
Current Conditions
FlowModerate spring flows usually keep the Deckers water wadeable while still giving fish cover.
Water TempLow-fifties water is enough for consistent feeding, but not enough to make fish reckless.
WeatherOvercast gives you more flexibility. Bright afternoons usually make the river more technical.
Rating7/10
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