South Platte - Deckers
The
South Platte River near the town of Deckers has become a favorite spot of mine
over the past few years.
As with most sections of the Platte, fishing pressure is an issue here
but it won’t prevent you from having a good time.
This section is easier to access than the Cheeseman Canyon stretch, but
the average fish seems to be a bit smaller (14-18 in) than those further up.
The brown trout population appears to be a little stronger here than it
is in the faster moving water of the canyon; A trip here in the fall of 2000
netted six nice fish, 
all of which were browns.
Although the fish are easily spooked in both settings, it isn’t
necessary to fish tiny (#24) midges and RS2’s which are so popular in the
canyon.
In addition, I have had more success fishing dry patterns in this lower
stretch than I have in the crystal clear pools of the canyon.
Most importantly, fishing access here doesn’t require a 25 minute hike
through steep terrain!
As mentioned, the South Platte from Trumball on up thru Deckers has become one of Colorado’s most popular destinations. The pressure has increased dramatically since I regularly began fishing this stretch in 1993. Since that time, it seems that the number of large fish has declined with the presence of Whirling Disease. There are still some big fish here, but the majority of the catches will be in the 14-16 inch range. Below Wigwam club the limit is two fish over 16 inches, but you won’t find too many anglers taking fish home, which is how this river has remained a top fishery! Parking access is plentiful and improvements have been made to the parking areas over the past few years. When visiting, please take heed to the designated parking areas as they are designed to help minimize shoulder erosion.
This part of the river is full of riffle, run, pool segments. Fish can be taken nearly everywhere, but finding out where they are concentrated will improve your results. In general, during the colder months fish will be deep in slow moving pools that are near oxygenated riffle sections. As the water warms in April and May, the trout will move into more shallow water. When the heat picks up in July and August, you may find fish shallow in the morning and evening and deeper during the mid-day hours. The most productive flies during the winter months are midge larvae patterns in sizes 20-24. Brassies, disco midges, and black-beauties are good choices, but stop by ‘Flies-N-Lies’ in Deckers to get information on the ‘hot’ patterns.
Beginning in mid-March, the blue-winged olive mayfly will start to make its appearance. This is not a predictable hatch however; You may see them on the water one day and not again for a week. If you are fortunate to be here during the hatch, try to match the sized and color of the bugs (in that order). Comparadun patterns have been the most productive for me. The comparadun is tied in the same colors as the BWO but there is no hackle and in place of traditional wings, deer-hair is tied 180° around the top of the hook; this allows the fly to sit low in the surface-film like a natural emerging from its shuck. Even with the presence of BWO’s, many anglers will still fish a midge larvae trailing behind the mayfly pattern. If there is no surface action, spend your time fishing the riffles and runs with a loop-wing or RSII tied 18 inches behind a flash-back pheasant tail. After run-off, early-mid July, caddis will start to become active. Buckskins and sparkle pupa's will cover most of the caddis activity. Sparsely tied elk-hair and cdc caddis' may also take fish if the surface action is heavy. Through August and into September, trico's will hatch on the South Platte and you don't have to be there at sunrise to take advantage. For the most part, trico activity picks up in late morning. In the fall, mayfly activity is at its peak. Blue-winged olive comparadun patterns will work on the surface while pheasant tails and loop-wings will take fish below the surface. Don't be afraid to try hopper and ant patterns during mid-summer as well.