South Platte — Deckers and Cheesman · hatch chart
A year-round urban-adjacent fishery; the canyon is best in winter when crowds thin out
By month
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
| Month | Insect | Stage | Size | Time | Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Midges (Chironomidae) | Pupa | #20-24 | 11:00-15:00 | |
| Mar | Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | Emerger | #20-22 | 12:00-16:00 | |
| May | Caddis (Hydropsyche) | Adult, evening | #14-16 | 18:00-21:00 | |
| Jun | Pale Morning Dun (Ephemerella) | Dun | #16-18 | 10:00-14:00 | |
| Aug | Trico (Tricorythodes) | Spinner fall | #22-24 | 07:30-10:30 | |
| Oct | Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | Dun | #20 | 13:00-16:00 | |
| Dec | Midges (Chironomidae) | Adult | #22-24 | 12:00-15:00 |
Flow and visibility
Cheesman releases are small and cold — often under 200 cfs — which is why the canyon fishes in January. Deckers is affected by the tributaries between the dam and the bridge, so it muddies after summer thunderstorms while the canyon stays clear. When the Deckers gauge goes over about 600 cfs, the braided flats become dangerous and most people move upstream.
The insect plate
