| Fly Fishing Cheeseman Canyon and Deckers on the South Platte River |
Brown trout from
Cheeseman Canyon
Cheeseman Canyon
Bald Eagles also frequent
Colorado's South Platte River in
search of a fresh trout dinner.
Colorado's South Platte River in
search of a fresh trout dinner.
| More Colorado Fly Fishing destinations. |
Great fly fishing is not the only
Denver attraction. Anglers also
have the opportunity to view
diverse wildlife around Deckers.
Denver attraction. Anglers also
have the opportunity to view
diverse wildlife around Deckers.
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A fly fisherman probes a deep pool in Cheeseman Canyon in search of a trophy trout.
The South Platte River Cheeseman Canyon and Deckers Area:
This tailwater section of the South Platte River starts below Cheeseman Reservoir and is
one of the most fabled stretches of western trout water. Located about one hour
southwest of Denver Colorado, and also close to Colorado Springs, this classic trout
water is quickly returning to its former glory as a premier fly fishing destination. The
summer of 2002 saw extreme drought followed by the infamous Haymen fire that burned
thousands of acres in the South Platte River Basin drainage. The river ran black from
ash for weeks, then to add insult to injury, the following spring, flash floods choked the
river with soot and debris, while fish kills measured in the thousands. Cheeseman
Canyon (accessed by the Gill Trail) was not affected as much as the lower river,
although it was affected to some extent. Today the ash and mud have been replaced by
sand and decomposed granite, which is, coincidentally, also prime trout spawning
habitat. Public and private stocking programs have supplemented residual fish stocks,
and the trout are looking very healthy. Fishing in the Canyon is now as good as ever,
and the lower South Platte River (below Deckers) is improving faster than many thought!
The hatches are great, and although the average fish is smaller than before, I would
encourage anyone to come give this fabled section of river a second chance. You might
just be surprised by this classic trout fishery so close to Denver!
Have one of our talented guides give you a fly fishing trip or lesson around the Deckers
area and rediscover a great natural resource easily accessible from Colorado Springs
and Denver!
This tailwater section of the South Platte River starts below Cheeseman Reservoir and is
one of the most fabled stretches of western trout water. Located about one hour
southwest of Denver Colorado, and also close to Colorado Springs, this classic trout
water is quickly returning to its former glory as a premier fly fishing destination. The
summer of 2002 saw extreme drought followed by the infamous Haymen fire that burned
thousands of acres in the South Platte River Basin drainage. The river ran black from
ash for weeks, then to add insult to injury, the following spring, flash floods choked the
river with soot and debris, while fish kills measured in the thousands. Cheeseman
Canyon (accessed by the Gill Trail) was not affected as much as the lower river,
although it was affected to some extent. Today the ash and mud have been replaced by
sand and decomposed granite, which is, coincidentally, also prime trout spawning
habitat. Public and private stocking programs have supplemented residual fish stocks,
and the trout are looking very healthy. Fishing in the Canyon is now as good as ever,
and the lower South Platte River (below Deckers) is improving faster than many thought!
The hatches are great, and although the average fish is smaller than before, I would
encourage anyone to come give this fabled section of river a second chance. You might
just be surprised by this classic trout fishery so close to Denver!
Have one of our talented guides give you a fly fishing trip or lesson around the Deckers
area and rediscover a great natural resource easily accessible from Colorado Springs
and Denver!
Looking for some fun things to do in
Denver? Get outside and give fly
fishing, at nearby Deckers a try.
Denver? Get outside and give fly
fishing, at nearby Deckers a try.
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Fly fishing Cheeseman Canyon on the South Platte River in Colorado
Beautiful rainbow trout caught fly fishing near Deckers on the South Platte
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| Fly Fishing Pictures from Colorado Trout Hunters fishing trips |
