Colorado Fishing Reports: South Platte River Fishing Report

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South Platte River Sponsored by

Date	14-Oct-18
Water Condition
Water Temperature

Conditions : South Platte River: Cheeseman Canyon As of 10/12/2018, the fish are feeding heavily and are very active right now. The bad news is with a highly pressured river like this area of the South Platte, the clear water is making conditions very technical and the recent drop inflows, about 50 CFS on Monday, will have put on alert and the fish will be a bit finicky. If you can get to fish with a good presentation without alerting them, you will get some fish. Fly selection and size is key right now. It is recommended to downsize the tippet to about 5-6x fluorocarbon if you are fishing nymphs. Heavy hatches of tricos are coming off around noon on the cooler days. Be on the lookout for blue winged olives and even pale morning dun hatches as well. Some patterns that are getting good takes right now are juju Baetis, Satlcups Baetis, Mercury Midges, and Barr Emergers in the #20-22 range. Flows: 112 CFS

Charlie Meyers As of 10/12/2018, the main story here are the crowds. It only takes a couple pictures of lake run browns to be posted online or on social media to attract the masses up to the Dream Stream so set your expectations accordingly. The Kokanee are in the river in force and yes, the lake run browns are starting to show up. The numbers for the browns are increasing but we still have time before the real numbers arrive. If its the browns you are targeting, the typical nymph rigs are going to be the best bet for fly options. These flies include chironomids, egg patterns, midges and leaches. You also might want to try out a streamer for some aggressive, spawning browns. If you are looking to get into some salmon, try some bigger, red copper johns, eggs and San Juan worms. Whether you are a guide with and handful of clients or just out on the river on your own, please be respectful of others as no matter when you go, you will be fishing with several neighbors. Help do your part in keeping this section of the South Platte world renown by cleaning any trash and fishing line, be aware of the REDDS and be careful not to disturb them and do not fish the spawning browns that are protecting them! Flows: 120 CFS (10/11/2018)

Waterton Canyon - As of 10/5/2018, the flows in the canyon have dropped a bit but still remain close to the averages and past weeks. For the best action the further up the canyon you go, the better it will get. If you have never been to Waterton, there is a dirt road leading up through the canyon so taking a bike will get you up there faster if fishing is your priority. Bug selection is going to remain similar until we start seeing more drastic changes to the weather and daylight hours keep decreasing. Try some hoppers and terrestrials as indicators or a stimulator dropped with various midges and baetis patterns as your droppers. Shift everything to a little smaller than earlier in September especially hoppers if you decide to use one. Flows: 116 CFS (10/4/2018)

Reported by: Sportsman's Warehouse

Hatches:	Patterns	Lures & Spinners


About: - (Cheesman Reservoir to Strontia Springs Reservoir only): The splendid natural beauty of this river is distracting even to the most seasoned angler. Bighorn sheep frequent the canyon walls and a variety of birds hover over the water. The two prime stretches of water area are as follows: Cheesman Reservoir to Strontia Springs Reservoir: This Gold Medal river is regarded as one of the best rainbow and brown trout fisheries in the nation. There are many fish over 14 inches, particularly upstream of Scraggy View Picnic Ground. Location: U.S. 85 to Colorado 67. Strontia Springs Reservoir to Chatfield Reservoir: Requires hiking or biking. There are fewer anglers in this stretch than in the Deckers area and the concentrations of fish are impressive. Best bets are rainbow and brown trout. Location: C-470 west to South Wadsworth. Follow Wadsworth to the Kassler Water Treatment Plant. Access to this area is by hiking or biking. South Park: One of Colorado's best for quality-sized rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Best areas are between Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile reservoirs, upstream from Spinney, the Middle Fork from the confluence with the South Fork upstream to Fairplay and the South Fork above Antero Reservoir to Highway 285. Best kept secret: Elevenmile Canyon. Location: West of Colorado Springs on Highway 24.			Brook Brown Rainbow Cutthroat

Misc Info: -