Slow the flow

July 14, 2016

Good morning everyone!!  Just returned from a small loop around the National Forest and here’s your morning river conditions report. It’s looking like the run-off is done! Noticeably lower levels from the wire down through Trumbull last night and this morning.  I noticed several islands that are now exposed in areas that are normally still covered with water. The South Platte river flow is 169 (cfs) at Cheesman and 223 (cfs) in Trumbull.  Clarity is still excellent with a little bit of moss to deal with, but nothing to serious. I fished for several hours last night between the 2nd Decker’s bridge downstream to Trumbull. The dry fly action was pretty slow all day yesterday. I don’t think I picked up one fish on a single dry. I did, however, do rather well with a gray/black stone fly, trailing a brown rs-2. I was able to pick up several nice browns with this rig, using no weight or strike indicator.  I was almost throwing it like a streamer, allowing the bugs to be pulled of the bank with the swing.  I even had a bigger fish break me off as it got downstream on me rather quickly and into deeper, faster water. I had one chance to net the fish, but when it turned on me and bolted downstream on my 6X tippet, it was all but over!  It was another chilly morning on the river, only 43 when I walked out the door. With the chillier morning temperatures,  we’re not seeing the early morning midge hatches we were seeing last week. The Trico’s are making there way further upstream and have started to appear closer to Decker’s in just the last few days. It’s a great time of year in the South Platte Valley!  Check out great cabin rentals in our area by visiting http://www.southplatterivercabins.com or http://www.flies-n-lies.com. The Decker’s Country Store and Flies and Lies will be sure to make your stay an enjoyable one. It’s going to be a another busy weekend in the valley, so make sure to make your campground reservations right here by visiting the “things to do” page, click on “CAMPING” hub, and  secure your spot on the river for the weekend. Heading out to shoot some pictures and visit the forest!! Have a wonderful day!

Chris