[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”9″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”240″ thumbnail_height=”160″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”1″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Good Afternoon!
Welcome back folks! Sorry it’s been a bit since the last blog post, been a little busy doing planning and cooking meals between fishing outings! Just to let you know, I do post the daily fishing conditions each day on my Facebook page for the website. Each morning, usually by 8am or so, I have a picture of the canyon posted, along with the current river temp and flow! Ok, with that out of the way, let’s get you caught up on the conditions in the Canyon and in Decker’s/Trumbull. After what seemed like an eternity, with flows at levels below 50 cfs, we finally saw a small increase, as the reservoir had finally reached it’s capacity. Currently, we’re at 105 cfs below the dam, similar flow through Decker’s, with a slight decrease downstream through Trumbull, at 90 cfs. We’re starting to see some pretty big Trico hatches in the early morning hours, with small midges and some PMD’S. If you’ve been following along with my blogging, you’ve probably figured out that I am a Chef. I have the luxury of living and cooking at the Wigwam Club, which gives me convenient and frequent access to the Canyon. So, as I make this my home for about seven months out of the year, I will try to give you as much up to date information that I can possibly gather, while performing my duties at the club! Ok, with that being said, let’s get back to what’s been working for me lately! As I tend to head out to the canyon each morning for about an hour or so, I’ve been working either the Hopper-dropper rig from the evening before, or I’m switching over to a nymph rig, depending on what I’m seeing when I hit the river. Right now, the Hoppers are really doing the trick! Amy’s Ants, Chubby Cherynobl, Grasshoppers, and Beetles! Underneath I’ve had quite a bit of success with several different bugs! As an attractor, I’ve stuck with the leech, stone fly, pat’s rubber legs, tan or red San Juan Worm, and even a black or olive Wooley Bugger! Trailing behind those I’ve used about a dozen other bugs that have all taken fish, including green and orange Scuds, bead-headed pheasant tails, caddis larva, RS-2’s, juju baetis(done well with purple), two-bit hookers, red and black copper john’s, and without a doubt, the number one fish catcher of all time for me in the Canyon, the Grey, Sparkle-Wing RS-2. With the lower flows and crystal clear water, the ability to sight fish the canyon is key right now. Be sure to cover plenty of water and look for actively feeding fish. If the fish aren’t actively taking the hopper, try dropping a small pheasant tail or another small midge behind, just dropping below the surface film. That’s all for now folks! Hope to see you out there on the river soon!
Chef Chris
Like this:
Like Loading...
July 28, 2018 Decker’s & Cheesman Canyon update
fishing report[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”10″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”240″ thumbnail_height=”160″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”1″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Good Evening Everyone!
As we get further into summer and finally got the flows in our favor, it’s time to get you up to speed on what’s been working for me in the Canyon and Decker’s. For the last week or so, we’ve had pretty consistent flows, hovering between 300-375. After what seemed like forever of no rain, we’ve finally gotten into a nice mid-morning/early afternoon thunderstorm patters, that have brought some much needed moisture to the South Platte Valley. With that being said, we’ve also suffered the consequences of too much rain at one time. Back on July 5, we had a substantial storm come through, dumping almost 4 inches of rain in a very short period of time. The effect this had on the Canyon was pretty significant in some areas, especially about mid-canyon, where the granite sediment and other debris, made it’s way quickly down the canyon side, and into some of these holes in the boulder section of the canyon. After this event, we saw quite a bit of slash had made it’s way into the river, and on down stream as well. Now, you could look at this as a potentially devastating event, or mother natures way of giving the Canyon a nice cleanse! I choose the later…. Ok, since the big event, we’ve experienced several storms, with large hail, thunder, and some pretty serious freaking lightning! Please keep this in mind when making the hike into Cheesman Canyon, as you can quickly become stranded on the side of the canyon wall, in a rather precarious spot during a lighting storm! The river seems to bounce back pretty quick after these storms, providing a great opportunity to fish the banks with scuds, worms, leaches, and Streamers. Since the clarity of the river has been regularly compromised with the afternoon storms, we’ve seen a decrease in the hopper activity, for mainly two reasons. The fish have so much food being put right in front of their faces that they really have no reason to look up! The other reason the Hoppers have slacked off is for the most obvious reasons, the trout simply can’t see the bug due to the clarity of the river. With that being said, nymphing and throwing streamers has been my game of choice. As an indicator bug, my top three have been the Pat’s Rubber Legs, Olive Leech, and the Squirrel-tail Leech. Following my top bug, about 12-14 inches behind it, I’ve had good success with a multitude of bugs. In the mornings, I’ve been catching fish left and right with a buckskin midge or a Black Beauty, with a Prince Nymph, or a Rs-2, as my middle bugs. I spoke earlier of how the hopper wasn’t working so well right now. Well, what I really meant to say was that the fishing is “better” right now, with the nymphing rig. Don’t let this stop you from working the slower moving water along the banks, where the temptation of an Amy’s Ant, or a Chubby Cherynoble is usually too temping for a trout to turn down. Flows are currently at 385 cfs below the dam, and about the same through Decker’s and Trumbull. Water temperature is between 45-50 degrees. That’s all I’ve got for now folks! Look for video fishing reports from the Decker’s area to begin shortly! Until then, take care and I hope to see you out there on the river soon!
Chef Chris
Share this:
Like this:
Decker’s, Colorado July 4th 2018
camping, Fishing Conditions, fishing report, hiking, lifestyle and fitness, Rules and RegulationsJust wanted to give you a quick update on the 4th of July fun around Decker’s! The Tubing is pretty good right now, with flows on the South Platte at 205 (cfs). This is great news, as the flows remained historically low for the first part of the summer season. Stage 2 Fire Ban in Effect!!! Jefferson County! The conditions in the Pike National Forest are beyond dry! If you witness anyone illegally starting or maintaining any outdoor fire, please report them to the Forest Service, or call 911!
Fishing Update!
Current Flow below Cheeseman Dam and through Decker’s- 205
Clarity-3/5
Water Temperature-44-47*
Bugs working for me- Trico Spinners, PMD’s, Parachute Adams, Juju Midge #18-22 (fond of Purple), Stone Flies (been seeing lots of black ones the last two days), Zebra midges of all! Ye’ Ole Rs-2, the Black has been working well for me, however, the olive has too!. HOPPERS-Purple Chubby Cherynoble, Amy’s Ant, Loco Beetle. The fish have a tendency to lay off the hoppers during the flow bumps, as they simply can’t see the bug floating above. Not to mention, they are feeding on an abundance of food down below! On the streamer side of things, the Black and Olive Wooley Bugger(streamer) have been working well when we see the flow bumps.
Please check out and “Like” our Facebook page, livedeckerscolorado.com! That’s all I’ve go for now folks! Hope to see you out there on the river soon!
Chef Chris
Share this:
Like this:
FIRE RESTRICTION IN PLACE FOR JEFFERSON AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES
camping, Fishing ConditionsGood Evening Folks!
!!!!!!PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING!!!!!!!
STAGE 2 FIRE BAN IN EFFECT FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
https://www.jeffco.us/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Fire-Ban-for-all-County-Lands-68
STAGE 1 FIRE BAN IN EFFECT FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
http://www.dcsheriff.net/stage-1-fire-restrictions-now-in-place/
Ok! Now, with the most important business taken care of, lets take a look at all that’s going on in Decker’s this Independence Week and upcoming weekend. It’s been a hot dry summer so far, but we’ve finally seen a bump in the flows of the South Platte, River, running from Cheeseman Dam, working it’s way through Decker’s, and downriver to Night Hawk. Currently, we’re at 105 (CFS). With temperatures getting as close as you can get to 100 degrees, the water temperature is between 55-60 degrees from the Dam, down through Decker’s and Trumbull, warming as it shallows and gets direct sun. Clarity is off a bit due to the increase in the flows, resulting in that pesty moss that gets on your flies and all over your body, as you casually fish or tube along the South Platte! Speaking of TUBING! Let’s talk about that for just a bit, shall we? Ok, here’s the deal on tubing around the Decker’s area, and downriver to Nighthawk. Because of Colorado Law about floating and fishing on private lakes and rivers, I’m going to save us both some time, and me perhaps a law suit, and just give you this link to what the State Law of Colorado reads. http://coloradowhitewater.org/river-access. As a Decker’s resident myself, I would like to share a bit of information about the general area that’s best for tubing access, which I hope will help you enjoy your float down the South Platte, and also respect the private property and no tubing signs along the river.
Share this:
Like this:
June 21, 2018 Fishing Report for Cheesman Canyon/Decker’s
fishing report[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”9″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”240″ thumbnail_height=”160″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”1″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Good Afternoon!
Welcome back folks! Sorry it’s been a bit since the last blog post, been a little busy doing planning and cooking meals between fishing outings! Just to let you know, I do post the daily fishing conditions each day on my Facebook page for the website. Each morning, usually by 8am or so, I have a picture of the canyon posted, along with the current river temp and flow! Ok, with that out of the way, let’s get you caught up on the conditions in the Canyon and in Decker’s/Trumbull. After what seemed like an eternity, with flows at levels below 50 cfs, we finally saw a small increase, as the reservoir had finally reached it’s capacity. Currently, we’re at 105 cfs below the dam, similar flow through Decker’s, with a slight decrease downstream through Trumbull, at 90 cfs. We’re starting to see some pretty big Trico hatches in the early morning hours, with small midges and some PMD’S. If you’ve been following along with my blogging, you’ve probably figured out that I am a Chef. I have the luxury of living and cooking at the Wigwam Club, which gives me convenient and frequent access to the Canyon. So, as I make this my home for about seven months out of the year, I will try to give you as much up to date information that I can possibly gather, while performing my duties at the club! Ok, with that being said, let’s get back to what’s been working for me lately! As I tend to head out to the canyon each morning for about an hour or so, I’ve been working either the Hopper-dropper rig from the evening before, or I’m switching over to a nymph rig, depending on what I’m seeing when I hit the river. Right now, the Hoppers are really doing the trick! Amy’s Ants, Chubby Cherynobl, Grasshoppers, and Beetles! Underneath I’ve had quite a bit of success with several different bugs! As an attractor, I’ve stuck with the leech, stone fly, pat’s rubber legs, tan or red San Juan Worm, and even a black or olive Wooley Bugger! Trailing behind those I’ve used about a dozen other bugs that have all taken fish, including green and orange Scuds, bead-headed pheasant tails, caddis larva, RS-2’s, juju baetis(done well with purple), two-bit hookers, red and black copper john’s, and without a doubt, the number one fish catcher of all time for me in the Canyon, the Grey, Sparkle-Wing RS-2. With the lower flows and crystal clear water, the ability to sight fish the canyon is key right now. Be sure to cover plenty of water and look for actively feeding fish. If the fish aren’t actively taking the hopper, try dropping a small pheasant tail or another small midge behind, just dropping below the surface film. That’s all for now folks! Hope to see you out there on the river soon!
Chef Chris
Share this:
Like this:
May 14, 2018 Decker’s & Cheesman Canyon Fishing Report
fishing report[ngg_images source=”galleries” display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”0″ thumbnail_width=”240″ thumbnail_height=”160″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”1″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Hello Folks,
The fishing on the South Platte River has been nothing short of fantastic! I’ve spent the last 30 days fishing for anywhere between two and ten hours each day! Most of the time I’ve spent has been in the Canyon, but I’m also fishing “Hole in the Wall” in Trumbull, along with the area by the Lone Rock Campground, in Decker’s. For the last three weeks, flows have remained around 70 cfs, both in Decker’s, and the Canyon. Clarity has been good to excellent, with the occasional heavy moss days, primarily after a rain shower. As far as the spawning activity of the Rainbow trout, its’ been pretty consistent both in the lower portion of the Canyon, along with the shallower beds between the Decker’s bridge, and Ray’s Run. If you see fish paired up, or fish that are actively spawning on the Redds, please stay clear and give these fish room to do their thing! Mornings on the river have been full of early adult midge activity, usually present by about 8am, as the sun makes its way over the ridge, warming the water and generating some early morning rising fish. Still, as temping as it may appear, most of the morning activity in the canyon has been subsurface. We are starting to see a decline in the BWO’S, with the emergence of the caddis! In a pinch the other afternoon, as I was running short on RS-2’s, I used my nippers and actually cut down a couple of elk hair caddis, making them look like a slightly bulkier RS-2! To my surprise, the fish couldn’t resist my new breed of bug! As an indicator bug, I’ve been switching back and forth between a tan and red San Juan Worm, and a Pat’s Rubber Legs, black. Mostly working these bugs in the deeper, faster runs and riffles, I’ve had good success both in the Canyon, and the Decker’s/Trumbull sections of the river. When it comes to my lead bug, I’ve had all kinds of success with everything from the Chocolate Thunder, Purple Juju, Burgundy WD-40, Grey and Black RS-2, Top Secret Midge, Olive Juju, Prince Nymph, Chartreuse Copper John, and Barr’s Emerger. Sizes on these are between 20-24. The evenings have been full of surprises! One day we’ve got a Blue Wing Olive hatch, the next day nothing! Then, like this afternoon, the caddis were coming off like mad, as the rain drops were falling! Either way, you’re bound to have a great time if you make your way to Decker’s, or the Cheesman Canyon. That’s all for now folks! Keep checking back for more updates, and be sure to visit my livedeckerscolorado.com Facebook page, for daily updates on fishing and weather conditions here in World Famous Cheesman Canyon, and the rest of the South Platte River Valley. Hope to see you on the river soon!
Share this:
Like this: