River: South Platte has many
tributaries. The main three forks are the South Fork, the Middle Fork and the
North Fork. The South Fork starts in South Park near Weston Pass and runs into
the Antero Reservoir; it continues to Hartsel near where it is dammed to form
Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The Middle Fork runs out of Montgomery reservoir
into South Park, through the Tomahawk State Wildlife Area near Hartsel and then
into Spinney Reservoir. The North Fork begins near Kenosha Pass, follows highway
285 through Bailey, then joins the South Platte near Pine.
Water: The South Platte has many miles of diversified types of water,
including meandering meadow stretches with undercut banks, deep canyon stretches
with deep plunge pools and all types of riffle, fun, pool, flat configurations.
The South Platte has all Colorado river’s water types.
Access:
There are miles of fishable water on the South Platte system. Some of the more
popular access areas include the Tomahawk SWA, Badger Basin near Hartsel,
Spinney Mountain Reservoir and the river between that impoundment and Eleven
Mile Reservoir (this stretch is called the “Dream Stream” by many); Eleven
Mile Canyon below Eleven Mile Reservoir; Cheesman Canyon; the Deckers area and
downstream through Waterton Canyon. Private access areas on the river are
clearly marked and many are very private! Do not trespass on the Platte!
Fish:
Primarily browns and rainbows, although rainbow populations are down due to
Whirling Disease. There are also cutthroat trout in the Spinney area and
hybrids, too. Average size is 12-16 inches, with many larger fish possible,
including trophy size fish in certain tail water areas below Spinney and Cheesman reservoirs.
Bugs:
The South Platte offers some of the finest tail water fly fishing in the
country. The river abounds in all types of mayflies, caddis, stoneflies and
midges. In meadow stretches as well as canyon waters there are many
terrestrials, such as hoppers, ants and beetles. Certain areas are known for
great hatches of BWO's in Spring and Fall months, as well as wonderful winter
midge fishing.
Flies:
Many standard tail water patterns have been developed specifically for the South
Platte. The bugs are often small – 18-26. Midge patterns such as Griffith’s
gnats, disco midge larva patterns, WD-40, Dale’s midge adult, stuck-in-the
shuck and small buckskin patterns work well. Mayfly patterns will run from size
16-24 and include BWO patterns such as Lawson’s Thorax Beatis, Olive
Comparadun, AK’s parachute olive quill, Barr emergers, RSII, pheasant tail
nymphs – including BH and flashback PT’s and many other local patterns.
PMD’s are prolific during summer months and trico’s begin hatching during
the late summer and often continue through the fall months. Tan, peacock and
olive caddis patterns are a must during summer months in sizes 14-20. Golden
stonefly nymphs and adults are important in some areas. Many anglers enjoy
fishing San Juan Worms, glo-bugs or scuds in olive, tan or orange with small
nymph droppers. Also, streamer patterns can be very effective.
Techniques:
the tailwater stretches will often demand longer casts and good drifts in order
to hook spooky fish. Many anglers develop more advanced fly fishing techniques
by fishing the South Platte system. Accurate casts and good drifts are almost
always called for while fishing the Platte. A good dry fly approach is to fish
down and across the stream. Nymphing means swimming the fly into a fish’s
mouth at times as they will not move very far to take a fly pattern.
Seasons: there is no closed season on much of the Platte because it is a
tailwater fishery. Water temperatures stay relatively stable for much of the
year. There are a wide variety of insect hatches and something new is always in
store on the Platte. Winter months offer some of the most dependable fishing we
have on the Front Range of Colorado with prolific midge hatches possible.
Rating:
The South Platte is an excellent fishery. It is rates as one of the best in the
West! Numerous books and magazine articles have been written about this stream.
Count on having a lot of company with other anglers because the fishing is
great. The scenery is beautiful, as well.
The
South Platte is a pretty dammed up river. It's also a darned good fishing river!
Development takes its toll, resulting in the dams everywhere. Originally, the South Platte was the highway into Colorado as
French trappers found their way up the Platte River from the Missouri, splitting
off on the South and it's tributaries during the early 1800's.
The South Platte finds its source in the mountains south
west of Denver near an area called South Park. There are several tributaries
that join west of a man made impoundment called Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The
stretch of river below Spinney and above the next Reservoir - Eleven Mile - is
referred to as "The Dream Stream". It is short, but arguably has been
one of the most productive stretches of river anywhere. There are big fish that
both reside and migrate into the stream to live and spawn. Very large Brown,
Rainbow and Cutthroat trout are caught here each year. There are wonderful
hatches of midges, mayflies and caddis, as well as great terrestrial activity.
The stream is known for its Trico hatches during late summer and early fall
months.
The next popular and historic part of the Platte is
Cheesman Canyon, so named for the dam that once again stops up the stream. The
Canyon stretch is reached by a short hike and is about three miles in length.
This was the first catch and release stretch of water in the state of Colorado
and continues to be a prime fly fishing only area. The Canyon is the finest
piece of trout water that is in close proximity to a large metropolitan area. It
can be reached from Denver and Colorado Springs in about one hour. Below the
Canyon is the very private and exclusive Wigwam Club, which ends just above the
town of Deckers. The area below Deckers, through Trumball and on down stream is
open to fly fishing, except where it's posted. These spot also get lots of
pressure, but continue to produce fine fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow trout.
There are also a few Brook trout around. The Canyon has good hatches of midge
and mayfly insects, as well as good terrestrial fishing in season. There are
also scuds in the water.
The best time to fish the Platte in these areas is as soon
as you can. Beware of water fluctuations, as the powers that be whimsically vary
the flows below the dams. The Platte is a beautiful river that holds lovely
trout that will eat flies. What more do you want?
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