Field NotesWhen to Walk Away: Summer Water Temps and the Fish You Don't Catch
Warm water kills trout you release. Here's how I read summer water temps on the South Platte and when I'd rather drive home than cook a fish.
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South Platte
70 posts tagged "South Platte".
Field Notes
Gear ReviewFishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack Review: Slim, Waxed, and My New Everyday
I fished the Fishpond Stormshadow and it quietly became my everyday chest pack — waxed cotton, slim, deceptively roomy. Here's what it nails and what it gives up.
Gear ReviewWhy Your Flies Cost Twice What They Used To
Trout flies held near $2 for twenty-five years. Now they're $3–$4.50 and climbing. Here's the actual reason — tariffs on hand-tied imports — and what it changes at the counter.
Fly GuideThe Chubby Chernobyl: My Summer Attractor and Dry-Dropper Anchor
How I fish the Chubby Chernobyl on the South Platte — a foam attractor that doubles as a summer searching dry and a dry-dropper anchor, plus the sizes and colors I trust.
Field NotesGuiding the Arkansas at Pueblo: A Conversation with Anthony Jimenez
Pueblo guide Anthony Jimenez of Tailwater Outfitters on the fall mouse hatch, his three-fly rig, and why anglers overspend on rods instead of fly line.
Field NotesWhy I Started Chasing Blue Lines
Tailwaters taught me to fish. Blue lines reminded me why I love it. The pull of small, off-map creeks — wild trout, no crowds, a 3-weight, and the finding that's half the point.
Field NotesFly Fishing Books Worth Reading — The Ones I Keep Coming Back To
The fly fishing books worth your winter: the literary canon that makes you feel it, the technical ones that made me a better tailwater angler, and the Colorado writers.
SeasonalSouth Platte & Arkansas Conditions Report — Flows Are Low Right Now (June 25, 2026)
A weak winter dropped the Dream Stream, Eleven Mile, and Arkansas to skinny flows — where to fish instead, the water temp that should end your day, and how to fish low water.
Field NotesWhy I Tie the Blowtorch Myself Instead of Buying It
Why I tie my own Blowtorches instead of buying them. The economic case is backwards — the real reason is what tying my favorite fly changed about how I fish the South Platte.
Field NotesFather's Day on the Water
A Father's Day letter to my son — what fly fishing taught me about being his dad, and the hours that matter more than any fish.
Gear ReviewGetting Started in Fly Tying: A Realistic Beginner's Guide
How to actually start tying flies — the beginner bench (vise, bobbin, scissors, whip finisher), the first patterns that catch fish, and the learning curve.
Field NotesThree Knots That Cover 95% of My South Platte Fishing
You don't need eight knots. The three I actually use — clinch, triple surgeon's, perfection loop — cover every connection from fly line to fly.
Fly GuideEgg Patterns — When the Spawn Is On, This Is What's Eating Trout
Egg patterns rule the South Platte during brown spawn (Oct–Nov) and rainbow spawn (Mar–Apr). Otter's Egg, Y2K, dead-egg variants, and how to fish ethically.
Fly GuideSan Juan Worm — The Pattern That Isn't Pretty But Catches South Platte Fish
The San Juan Worm is the unglamorous workhorse of South Platte tailwater nymphing. Red, pink, purple — when and why it earns the point spot on Deckers.
Field NotesReading Water on Deckers — Pocket Water vs Pool Tailouts
Where the fish actually hold at Deckers and why. A practical breakdown of pocket water vs pool tailouts — current seams, feeding lanes, and soft water.
Gear ReviewBuilding a Fly Box for the South Platte — What's Actually in Mine
Most fly boxes are graveyards of flies that never get tied on. Here's what actually lives in mine — by section, by size, by why it earns the space.
Field NotesThe Euro Nymph Box: What Actually Earns a Slot on the South Platte
The handful of euro nymphs that earn a slot in my South Platte box — Blowtorch, Perdigon, Frenchie and the rest — plus how I size them and fish them deep.
Gear ReviewBuilding a Euro Nymphing Rig from Scratch
Step-by-step build of the euro nymphing rig I actually fish: Diamondback 10'7" 3wt, Maxima Chameleon mono, sighter, tippet ring, and the two flies that work.
Field NotesFishing Pressured Tailwaters — What Actually Works on Deckers
Deckers is the most-fished tailwater on the South Platte. Here's what actually catches fish — small flies, light tippet, clean drifts, and overlooked seams.
Field NotesWet Wading: Why I Leave the Waders at Home
Wet wading on the South Platte isn't for everyone. But once you understand when and how to do it right, you might ditch the waders more than you'd expect.
Gear ReviewI Run a Riversmith — and I'm Eyeing a Switch to Trxstle's CRC Euro
I've carried my rods on a Riversmith River Quiver for a while now. Lately I'm highly considering switching to Trxstle's CRC Euro. Here's the honest why.
Fly GuideThe Zebra Midge Torch — My South Platte Midge
The standard Zebra Midge catches fish. My version — black tungsten bead, orange tag, tied on a Fulling Mill jig hook — catches more. Here's the Torch.
Fly GuideThe Duracell Jig: Red Wire, Silver Bead, and Why It Runs the South Platte in Winter
Craig McDonald's Scottish jig nymph — red wire rib, UV brown body, silver bead. Named after the battery. Why it dominates Deckers and Cheesman all winter.
Fly GuideThe Frenchie: Lance Egan's Competition Jig That Never Left the Guide Box
Lance Egan's UV pink hotspot Pheasant Tail jig: competition-bred, guide-proven. Why it works year-round on Deckers and Cheesman when standard PTs fade.
Fly GuideMayer's Mini Leech Jig: The Small Dead-Drift Leech That Out-Catches Streamers
Landon Mayer's pine squirrel mini leech on a jig hook. Dead-drift, jig-style — why this small pattern out-fishes swung streamers on South Platte tailwaters.
Gear ReviewMy Fly Rod Quiver — Five Rods, Five Jobs on the South Platte
What I fish on the South Platte and why each rod earns its spot — plus the hand-built Sweetgrass cane I'm adding to the quiver this fall.
Fly GuideOlsen's Blowtorch: My Favorite Fly and the Variations I Tie
My favorite fly. Devin Olsen's competition jig with a hot-tag and opalescent rib. Why I tie the Blowtorch in orange and green, and how to fish it tight-line.
Fly GuideThe Perdigon: Why the Fastest-Sinking Nymph on the South Platte Works
Spanish competition nymph with a UV resin body that sinks 40% faster than traditional patterns. The anchor fly that gets your rig to depth before the current.
Fly GuideThe RS2: Rim Chung's South Platte Emerger That Defined a Tailwater
Rim Chung tied the RS2 in the 1970s for the South Platte. Fifty years later it's still the most-fished emerger on Deckers, the Dream Stream, and Cheesman.
Fly GuideWalt's Worm: The Pennsylvania Nymph That Belongs in Every South Platte Box
Walt Young's 1984 Pennsylvania limestone nymph — buggy hare's ear body, cigar profile — imitates scuds, cased caddis, and crane fly larvae all at once.
Fly GuideThe Wooly Bugger: The Most Copied Fly in History and Why It Still Works
Russell Blessing's 1967 Pennsylvania pattern is the most-tied fly in fly fishing. Why the Wooly Bugger still earns its place for fall browns and high water.
Field NotesA Cigar on the South Platte — The Best Use of the Midday Lull
Between the morning rise and the evening feed, there's a window on the South Platte where the fish go quiet. I stopped fighting it. I bring a cigar.
Fly GuideBarr's Slumpbuster: The Streamer John Barr Built for Big Browns
John Barr's Slumpbuster is the most versatile streamer in Colorado fly fishing. How to fish it, when it works, and why pine squirrel beats a Woolly Bugger.
SeasonalColorado's Worst Snowpack in 40 Years — What It Means for the South Platte
Colorado is sitting at its lowest snowpack on record. For tailwater anglers on the South Platte, here's what's actually changing this season and how to adjust.
SeasonalSouth Platte in May — The Best Month to Fish Colorado Tailwaters
Why May is the best month to fish the South Platte — all hatches overlapping, manageable crowds, and what to expect week by week.
Field NotesThe South Platte Caddis Hatch — Timing, Flies, and Where to Be
The caddis hatch on the South Platte runs May through July and triggers the best dry-fly fishing of the year. When it happens, what to throw, and where to be.
Fly GuideBarr's Emerger: The PMD Pattern Every South Platte Angler Needs
John Barr's classic emerger imitates mayflies stuck mid-hatch. Recipe, rigging, and when to fish the PMD and BWO versions on Deckers and the Dream Stream.
Field NotesDiamondback Gen IV 10'7" 3wt Review — The Best Euro Nymphing Rod I've Fished
The Diamondback Gen IV 10'7" 3wt is my euro nymphing rod on the South Platte. Why it's the best contact nymph rod I've fished and what it did to my catch.
Field NotesThe Dry-Dropper Rig on the South Platte — How to Fish It Right
The dry-dropper is the most versatile South Platte setup. How to build it, when to use it over a straight nymph rig, and which combos work at Cheesman.
SeasonalFishing the South Platte During Spring Runoff
How to fish the South Platte when flows spike — which sections stay fishable, tactics for high water, and what the runoff window means for the season.
Field NotesFly Fishing the South Platte in the Rain
Rain changes everything on the South Platte — what it does to the fish, which hatches it triggers, and how to dress and fish when the weather turns.
Field NotesSitka Gets Into Fly Fishing — And It Makes Complete Sense
Sitka built the best hunting gear on the market. Now they're in fly fishing. Here's what they're bringing to the category and why it matters.
Fly GuidePMD Hatch Guide — Pale Morning Duns on the South Platte
The complete guide to Pale Morning Dun fishing on the South Platte — hatch timing by section, exact patterns, and how to adjust for refusals.
Field NotesEuro Nymphing the South Platte — A Practical Guide
How to euro nymph the South Platte's technical tailwater — leader setup, fly selection, reading current seams, and where it outperforms indicator fishing.
Field NotesRoss San Miguel Reel Review — Sealed Drag, Old-School Character
The Ross San Miguel is the reel on my Winston Pure 2 — sealed carbon drag, beautiful machining, Colorado-made. Here's why it pairs with the Winston.
Field NotesHow to Read Water on the South Platte
The current seams, structure, and holding lies that matter on South Platte tailwater — how to find fish in Cheesman Canyon, Deckers, and the Dream Stream.
Gear ReviewWading Boots for the South Platte — Brands, Soles, and What Actually Works
Cheesman granite and Deckers cobble demand the right wading boot. Four brands compared, felt vs. rubber per river section, and what Renato actually fishes.
Fly GuideMercury Midge: Pat Dorsey's South Platte Staple
Recipe, tying notes, and how to fish Pat Dorsey's Mercury Midge — one of the most consistent midge patterns on pressured tailwaters.
Field NotesRoss LTX Reel Review — Made in Colorado, Built to Last
The Ross LTX is the reel on my Scott Centric — fast drag, precise, built in Montrose, Colorado. Same town as the rod it pairs with. Here's why this combo works.
Field NotesSouth Platte Nymph Rigging — Leader, Indicator, and Fly Setup
The exact nymph rigging I use on the South Platte: leader construction, tippet sizes, indicator selection, and how to adjust it for Deckers and the canyon.
Field NotesSouth Platte Hatch Calendar: What's Hatching Every Month of the Year
Month-by-month hatch guide for the South Platte River tailwaters — Deckers, Cheesman, Dream Stream. Flies, timing, and what actually matters each season.
Gear ReviewScott Centric 9'0" 5wt Review — The Best Tailwater Rod Made in Colorado
Two seasons on the Scott Centric 905/4 at Cheesman and Deckers. Fast action, Colorado-built, and the benchmark for South Platte nymph and dry-fly fishing.
Gear ReviewScott Centric vs Sage R8 Core — Which Tailwater Rod for the South Platte?
Scott Centric vs Sage R8 Core for South Platte tailwater fishing — action, nymph performance, dry-fly accuracy, and which to buy.
Field NotesHow to Choose a Fly Rod for South Platte Tailwater
What actually matters when choosing a fly rod for South Platte tailwater — weight, length, action, and the specific demands of Deckers and the canyon sections.
Gear ReviewSkwala RS Waders Review — Two Seasons, Every Season
Two seasons in Skwala RS waders on the South Platte. Proprietary 4-layer laminate, fourchette seams, buckle-free yoke — and excellent in cold winters.
Field NotesThe South Platte Day Trip Gear Checklist — What's Actually in My Pack
Exactly what I pack for a South Platte day trip to Cheesman or Deckers — not the aspirational gear list, the actual one built over years of getting it wrong.
Gear ReviewYETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler Review — Day Trips on the South Platte
Two seasons with the YETI Hopper M30 on South Platte and Arkansas day trips — ice retention, packability on the trail, and honest cons at $350.
Field NotesFly Fishing with Kids on the South Platte
The complete guide to getting kids into fly fishing in Colorado — the right water by age, gear that helps, ice fishing, safety, and keeping the day fun.
SeasonalWinter Fly Fishing on the South Platte
December through February on the South Platte — midge fishing in Cheesman Canyon, gear for cold-weather wading, and why the off-season crowds are gone.
Field NotesColorado Fishing License — What You Need for the South Platte
How to get a Colorado fishing license, what a South Platte Habitat Stamp costs, Gold Medal designations, and the regulations that matter for tailwater fishing.
Field NotesPhotographing Fly Fishing on the South Platte — How to Get Shots Worth Keeping
How to shoot better fly fishing photos on the South Platte — gear, light, release shots, and the one rule that protects the fish while you get the image.
SeasonalFall Streamer Fishing on the South Platte
Fall streamer fishing on the South Platte — when to throw them, the patterns that work at Cheesman and Deckers, and how to fish them through the season.
Fly GuideTrico Hatch on the South Platte — Late Summer Fly Fishing Guide
When and how to fish the Trico hatch on the South Platte — July through September spinner falls on the Dream Stream and Deckers flat.
SeasonalFall BWO Season on the South Platte — October Fly Fishing Guide
Fall Blue-Winged Olive fishing on the South Platte — why October BWOs beat spring, hatch timing, the patterns I fish, rigging, and how to read the rise.
River GuideEleven Mile Canyon Fly Fishing Guide — Everything You Need to Know
A complete guide to fly fishing Eleven Mile Canyon on the South Platte: access, best beats, hatches by season, gear, and why it fishes unlike Cheesman.
Field NotesThe Best Fly Shops Near the South Platte
The fly shops worth stopping at before your South Platte trip — local intel, guided options, and who actually knows the river you're fishing.
River GuideCheesman Canyon Fly Fishing — The Complete Access Guide
Everything you need before your first trip to Cheesman Canyon — directions, the hike, Gold Medal regulations, best beats, and timing.
Gear ReviewBest 4-Weight Fly Rods for Tailwater Fishing in 2026
The five best 4-weight fly rods for tailwater fishing in 2026 — Scott, Sage, Winston, Orvis, and a budget pick. Specs verified, honest takes.
Field NotesRiversmith River Quiver Euro 4-Banger — Four Rods on the Roof, Zero Drama
The Riversmith River Quiver Euro 4-Banger holds four rods on the roof — rigged, ready, zero noise at highway speed. Why it changed how I get to the water.
Fly GuideSouth Platte Fly Box — 12 Patterns Every Tailwater Angler Needs
Twelve fly patterns every South Platte tailwater angler needs — midges, dries, nymphs, and streamers with sizes and when to use each.