South Platte - Below Chatfield - Colorado
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
South Platte – Below Chatfield - Water Flow Chart
South Platte – Below Chatfield - Weather report & radar
South Platte – Below Chatfield - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midges | Throughout the day | 18-26 | Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge |
| February | Midges | Throughout the day | 18-26 | Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge |
| March | Midges | Throughout the day | 18-24 | Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge |
| Blue Wing Olives | Afternoon | 16-22 | RS2, Juju Baetis, Sparkle Wing RS2 | |
| April | Midges | Throughout the day | 18-24 | Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge |
| Blue Wing Olives | Afternoon | 16-22 | RS2, Juju Baetis, Sparkle Wing RS2 | |
| May | Blue Wing Olives | Afternoon | 16-22 | RS2, Juju Baetis, Sparkle Wing RS2 |
| Caddis | Evening | 14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, Tungsten CDC Bubbleback Caddis, Parachute Caddis | |
| June | Caddis | Evening | 14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, Tungsten CDC Bubbleback Caddis, Parachute Caddis |
| Yellow Sally | Afternoon | 14-16 | Yellow Sally Dry Fly, Hotwire Sally, Sally Nymphs | |
| July | Caddis | Evening | 14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, Tungsten CDC Bubbleback Caddis, Parachute Caddis |
| August | Caddis | Evening | 14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, Tungsten CDC Bubbleback Caddis, Parachute Caddis |
| Tricos | Morning | 18-22 | Trico Spinner, Trico Parachute, CDC Trico Emerger | |
| September | Blue Wing Olive | Afternoon | 16-22 | RS2, Juju Baetis, Sparkle Wing RS2 |
| Tricos | Morning | 18-22 | Trico Spinner, Trico Parachute, CDC Trico Emerger | |
| October | Blue Wing Olive | Afternoon | 16-22 | RS2, Juju Baetis, Sparkle Wing RS2 |
| November | Midges | Throughout the day | 18-24 | Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge |
| December | Midges | Throughout the day | 18-26 | Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Midge Pupa, Zebra Midge |
South Platte – Below Chatfield Access Points
The South Platte Below Chatfield offers numerous access points for fly fishing:
- Deckers: Renowned fly-fishing spot located just below Cheesman Canyon. Enjoy the tailwater section filled with rainbow and brown trout.
- Waterton Canyon: Located at the base of Chatfield Reservoir with a 6.5-mile pathway to the South Platte. Tailwater here generally runs clear.
- Trumbull: This area provides easy access to the South Platte River; even though it’s shared with campers, it’s a great spot to catch brown and brook trout.
- Scraggy View Picnic Ground: Located further downstream, this picnic spot is often less crowded and provides a peaceful fishing environment.
- Happy Meadows Campground: Access the South Platte River from this campground; it’s perfect for finding solitude and trout.
All these spots provide excellent fly-fishing opportunities, depending on the season and your preference for location and fish species.
South Platte – Below Chatfield Fishing Spots
The South Platte below Chatfield offers a number of great spots for fly fishing, each with distinct features:
- Deckers: A world-renowned fishing spot, Deckers is a highly pressured section but rewarding for anglers with its 8-mile stretch of public water.
- Eleven Mile Canyon: Offering deep pools, long runs, and pocket water aplenty, this area is known for its large trout population.
- Cheesman Canyon: A 1.5 mile hike-in spot with the South Platte’s most technical water. It’s intended for expert anglers due to its challenging terrain and savvy fish.
- Waterton Canyon: Accessible with a few miles hike, this area below Strontia Springs Dam has fewer crowds and offers good opportunities for anglers who prefer solitude.
- The Dream Stream: Based between Spinney and Eleven Mile reservoirs, this spot boasts Trophy-sized Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat trout but can be tricky due to high winds.
South Platte – Below Chatfield Local Fish Species
- Brown Trout: Brown Trout is one of the most frequently seen fish in South Platte River below Chatfield. Their size varies with the largest being around 20 inches long.
- Rainbow Trout: The Rainbow Trout presents an exhilarating challenge for fly fishers, due to their rigorous fight. They are quite abundant in the South Platte.
- Brook Trout: Brook Trout are smaller in size but offer a good catch for beginners. They prefer the colder, upstream areas of the river.
- Cutthroat Trout: Cutthroats are iconic to western streams and are easily identifiable by the red-orange streak along the lower jaw. They have a reputation of being more willing to bite a fly, resulting in an exciting fishing experience.
- Mountain Whitefish: Catching a Mountain Whitefish can be a refreshing change for those who are used to targeting trout. They are quite common in the deeper and slower flowing parts of the river.
- Green Sunfish: These small, perceivably voracious fish are great for beginners – particularly children – to catch, due to the relatively easy and fun approach to catching them.
- Yellow Perch: Incredible fighters for their size, these fish are likely to produce memorable catch moments.
- Carp: Circle around the Denver Metro areas and there is a high likelihood of identifying Carp. These hefty creatures offer a stern yet delightful challenge for fly fishers ambitious to capture bigger fish.
About the South Platte – Below Chatfield
The South Platte – Below Chatfield, is a serene and historically rich stretch of the scenic South Platte River. Shaping the social fabric and economic climate of Colorado, it boasts several engaging tales.
Initially held sacred by the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes, the South Platte set the scene for the Pikes Peak Gold Rush in the mid 19th century. The river enticed gold hopefuls with its glittering promises, dramatically boosting the population.
The once wild river was tamed with the construction of the Chatfield Dam in the late 1960s. Known for its world-class trout fishing, the South Platte below Chatfield offers a bountiful, year-round resource for anglers.
- Native American sacred ground
- Pikes Peak Gold Rush
- Chatfield Dam construction
- World-class trout fishing
From tales of gold to famous trout bounty, the South Platte – Below Chatfield, pulsates with historical significance and natural beauty.
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