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 is running 212 CFS, crystal clear, and right in that sweet spot for fall fishing. The canyon browns are tuned into Tricos in the mornings and BWOs on cooler/cloudy afternoons. Nymph rigs are the bread-and-butter most of the day, but a well-placed Trico spinner early or a small streamer in the evening shadows can turn heads.

Pressure is medium — expect anglers at the obvious pull-offs, but you can find space if you’re willing to walk.

Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Deckers Dispatch
We cover exactly how to fish the Trico spinner fall, which nymphs are producing, and how to outsmart trout that have already seen three Parachute Adams before breakfast.

• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ — steady action if you nail the hatch timing
• Flow Rate: 212 CFS — excellent, wadeable, and trout-friendly
• Water Temp: Mid-40s°F — stable and safe for trout activity
• Air Temp: 40s°F at dawn, warming into 70s midday
• Clarity: Clear — stealth and finesse required
• Best Times: 7–11 AM for Tricos; 4–7 PM for BWOs and streamer shots
• Fishing Pressure: Medium — popular, but manageable with walking

Notes: Tricos dominate mornings, BWOs slip in with clouds, midges keep trout feeding under the surface, and caddis linger on warmer afternoons.

Nymphs / Emergers

• WD-40 (#22)
• RS2 (#20-22, gray/olive)
• JuJu Baetis (#20-22)
• Zebra Midge (#22-24)

Dries / Terrestrials

• Blue Wing Olive (#20)
• CDC Trico Spinner (#22-24)
• Parachute Adams (#20-22)
• Micro Chubby (#16, for dropper rigs)

Streamers

• Mini Leech (#12, black/olive)
• Slumpbuster (#12-14)
• Thin Mint Bugger (#12)

• Morning (7–11 AM): Trico spinner fall is prime. Fish long leaders (12–14 ft, 6X/7X) with micro-droppers.
• Midday: Double-nymph rigs with WD-40s, RS2s, and JuJu Baetis. Small shot, subtle drifts in slots.
• Evening (4–7 PM): BWOs on cloudy days, caddis if it stays warm. Small streamers can move fish in shaded banks.
• Rig Note: Keep rigs light and precise. Deckers trout won’t forgive sloppy presentations.

• Trumbull to Deckers: Classic runs, easy access but often pressured.
• Downstream toward Wigwam Creek: Good variety of pocket water, less traffic.
• Upper Meadows: Productive riffle/run water, great for dry-dropper setups.

Q: Is Deckers crowded right now?
A: Medium pressure. Popular pull-offs are busy, but hiking spreads anglers out.

Q: What’s the hot bug?
A: Trico spinners in the morning, followed by WD-40s and RS2s.

Q: Do streamers work at Deckers?
A: Yes, especially in low-light conditions. Keep them small and natural.

Q: Can I wade safely at 212 CFS?
A: Absolutely. Flows are in the ideal wadeable range.

Q: Best rod setup?
A: 9’ 4–5 wt with a long leader (12–14 ft) and fine tippet (6X/7X).