Peaceful Valley

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July 5, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”22″ gal_title=”july 5 burn scar prehike”]

Good morning everyone!! Just got back from an early morning hike with your morning conditions report.  Currently it’s a very comfortable 74 degrees in the valley with a forecast of high of 97!! Yikes, going to be a warm one for sure!  The flow at the Cheesman dam was 297 (cfs) and up to 497 (cfs) at the Trumbull Station.  Similar to yesterday, the flow around the Decker’s bridge is about 360-380 (cfs).  After talking to a few local guides about the Trumbull station recordings, the consensus was that it tends to read a little higher than the actual flow. The clarity has improved, considering we finally avoided some of the heavy afternoon storms we have been getting for the last few days.  Last night the dry-fly action was pretty great! Hopper-dropper patterns  along with a double-dry rig pulled up several fish later in the evening.  The weekend crowds are gone and their is plenty of room at all four of our local campgrounds and cabins.  Don’t forget! You can book all your campground and cabin reservations right here.  Just click on the “Services” or the “things to do” tab and start exploring the South Platte River Valley.

In preparation for Thursday’s all day outing in the National Forest, we hiked about half the distance we will be hiking on Thursday, today. At about 5:30 this morning  we headed out of Trumbull to the east and climbed about 1,000 feet up the to the edge of the “Hayman” fire  burn scar.  Thursday,  we will continue from where we stopped today and climb the remaining 1,000 feet or so to the top of the range. Along the hike this morning, we came across some very fresh Elk tracks, but to our dismay we did not actually get to see an Elk.  As we climbed higher and higher and approaced the burn scar, I couldn’t help but notice the resiliency and tenacity of some of the desert plants, cactus, and noxious weeds that seem to thrive in little soil, minimal water,  and direct desert sunlight.  I took a few pictures of some of these plants so you can see exactly what I mean.  Continuing to the highest point of today’s climb, we were treated to some spectacular views of Cheesman, Scraggy, and Green mountains.  Stay tuned for the upcoming photos and report from the big climb happening on Thursday.  That’s it for now folks! Enjoy your day and remember to do something nice today for someone else!   Take care

 

Chris

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I’m “Lichen” this!

July 4, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”21″ gal_title=”4th of july”]

Good morning and Happy Independence Day everyone!!!  It’s been a glorious morning here in Decker’s and Trumbull. With sunny skies, warm temperatures and a nice forecast for the rest of the day, it’s sure to be a fantastic 4th of July up here on the South Platte River.  This morning’s river flow out of Cheesman was 362 (cfs) and 475 (cfs) at Trumbull. Clarity looks good and I’ve taken a picture of Horse Creek entering the Platte to show you how I estimate the flow around Decker’s. This will also illustrate how the feeder creeks can affect the clarity of the Platte. Based on this morning’s observations, it’s looking to be about 380 or  390 or so around the main Decker’s bridge.  Last night the fish were really turned on with the rain showers!! We did real well with hoppers and trailing a chocolate thunder. Later in the evening, we took several fish with a grasshopper and an Amy’s Ant. Leaving the fishing reports up to the professionals, be sure to check out Flies-n-Lies on their website http://www.flies-n-lies.com. Along the hike this morning to Decker’s from the south east, my friend and I encountered a few deer, but mostly enjoyed the views of the valley as the sun came up over the Rampart Range.  With such a high desert climate, we have an abundance of” bear attracting” berry bushes, lichen, moss, and other ground and rock covering plants throughout  the valley and forests.  Along our hike this morning we were faced with the option of getting wet or climbing up and over some very slippery, lichen-covered granite with three dogs, a camera and the desire to get to Decker’s! We chose to climb the granite, and after sliding down the “Lichen Luge” we continued on the trail to Decker’s. I hope you enjoy the pictures from today’s hike in the Pike National Forest. Thursday’s trip is planned for a gemstone hike and an update on the “Hayman” burn scar.  For those of you that are not aware, the “Hayman” fire was the largest wildfire in Colorado history that burned over 160,000 acres in 2002.   We will be hiking a portion of the burn scar area, located in the Pike National Forest. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!   Remember to do something helpful for the world today! Pick up a random piece of trash!

Chris

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Oh what webs they weave!

July 3, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”20″ gal_title=”sunday july 3″]

Good morning everyone!!  Woke up to another foggy morning here in the valley with some much cooler temperatures and overnight rain. When I left this morning at 6:15,  it was a chilly 48 degrees, but it’s warmed up quickly to a comfortable 68!  Going to be more like a holiday weekend should be with temperatures reaching the low 90’s!  The river flow at the Cheesman dam was coming out at 350 (cfs) and 426 (cfs) at the the Trumbull station. After looking at the river in Decker’s this moring, it’s looking to be about 380(cfs).  Considering all the rain we have had over the last two days, the river is still pretty clear, offering good chances to sight fish! I’ve been fishing on and off for the last two days with a few neighbors and they are killing it with a #18/20 Chocolate Thunder,  below a rubber legs or Amy’s Ant.  I’ve also hooked into a few fish with a Barr’s Emerger, trailing a variety of smaller midges.  It’s been mostly nymphing in the morning, but the dry-fly action has really picked up around five o’clock in the afternoon!! Last night the trout were taking a Green-hackle BWO, along with a Parachute Adams.  I did see fish rising this morning here and there as I hiked the river from Trumbull to Decker’s.  As far as the fishing crowds go, it’s much busier on the river between Trumbull and Decker’s today then it was yesterday at this time. Keep in mind there is excellent water to be fished downstream from Trumbull and Decker’s! Don’t miss out on some of the deeper pools, gravel bars, and eddy’s that hold lots hungry fish!

Each morning, when I walk out of the house around 6 am, I’m not always sure where the camera, or my feet for that matter, are going to take me. As I began my walk towards Decker’s this morning, I couldn’t help but immediately notice the work and beauty created overnight by the various spiders that make the willows and trees along the river their home.  I knew instantly that I was to be treated to the “Art Work” of the Spider world as I continued along my morning journey along the river. As fly-fisherman we have the luxury of either tying our own flies or simply going to our local fly-shop to get what we need, or in most cases, what we think we need!  Well, out here the spider sees things just a little bit different and must look out for #1! My favorite picture is the one where the fly-line is on the power line next to the spider web.  You tell me who’s better at catching their prey? Have a great Sunday my friends!! Remember, do something nice this weekend, take two kids fishing!

Chris

 

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My fuse won’t light!!

July 2, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”19″ gal_title=”foggy 4th weekend”]

Good morning and welcome from the very wet and rainy South Platte River Valley!! Chef Chris here with your live morning report from Decker’s/Trumbull, Colorado. Waking up this morning to continued rain showers and fog throughout the valley. Current temperature is 57 degrees with forecasted high of only 68 degrees.  The flow coming out of Cheseman dam this morning was 294 (cfs)  and 432 (cfs) at the Trumbull station. With the feeder creeks, it seems to be right around 350 (cfs) around the Decker’s bridge.  The clarity is a little off this morning with last nights rain showers, but I did see fish this morning rising along the banks at various points from “Hole in the Wall” up to Decker’s. I’m guessing a San Juan Worm would do well this morning!   The caddis hatches have been strong and I’ve also been taking fish on caddis pupa and larva as well. Mid-morning seems to be the most productive for me, then later in the evening I’ve been working on a few dry fly presentations in hopes of raising the behemoth brown I know is lurking behind my house!!

As we get into the full swing of summer and the busiest time of year here in the South Platte valley, we see a number of visitors and tourist to our valley for the first time.  Keeping in mind that the campground space is limited and private cabins are even more scarce, it pays to plan ahead for your visit to the Decker’s/Cheesman Canyon area. If it’s a cabin your desire, a reserved campsite, or even a full day on the South Platte fishing, let livedeckerscolorado.com make all of your planning simple. Just click on our “Things to do” page to start making your exciting outdoor adventure plans for you and your family today!  If you have already spent some time in our beautiful valley, you probably know that cell phone service is not available, nor is their gasoline in Decker’s or Trumbull.  Please  print off any directions you may need  and be sure to fuel up  prior to entering the Decker’s area.  Our campgrounds are full and their are many people out enjoying the river, be it fishing, tubing, rafting, kayaking or just taking a walk along the river road. Please be careful and watch your speed as many people are distracted and it only takes a split second to change lives forever!!  Be safe out there this weekend folks and have a great day!!

Chris

 

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Independence Weekend

July 1, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”18″ gal_title=”friday 4th of july weekend”]

Happy 4th of July weekend my friends!! Chef Chris here with your morning conditions report.  Woke up this morning with a little fog in the valley with 50% humidity. Temperatures are in the low 70’s already and it’s looking like we’re going to have spotty showers throughout the day. The Trumbull station recorded a flow of 335 (cfs) this morning, and 238 (cfs) at the Cheesman dam. The clarity is a little off this morning below some of the feeder creeks, but clears up nicely as you go a little further downstream.  I walked this morning from Trumbull to Decker’s and along the Y-camp road. I saw several fish rising at the Decker’s bridge area and also by the Lone Rock Campground.  Be sure to make your reservations early for Lone Rock Campground by connecting to the reservations link located on the “things to do page” I fished yesterday between “Hole in the Wall” and the second Decker’s bridge. I was fishing with a friend who pulled a nice 16″ brown on a bead-headed pheasant tail.  As we worked our way from Trumbull to Decker’s we started to see more rising fish and switched over to a dry-dropper pattern using an Amy’s Aunt, trailing a grey/tan stone fly and following up with a Split-case olive midge.  Because I have had so much success with the streamer, I will always toss a Wooley-bugger if all else seems to fail!!

While my internet was being switched over to my new residence yesterday, I took the opportunity to hike in the National Forest on the other side of the river from my house.  As we hiked the ridge about 600 feet or so above the South Platte, we came accross many different plants and wildflowers that seem to have been perfectly landscaped by “Mother Nature” herself.  As we continued on our path towards Decker’s, we came accross a wash-out area, that after further inspection revealed several nice pieces of smoky quartz and a few other gemstones.  The South Platte river valley is a popular area for gemstone hunting along with several areas where gold panning is still a popular activity. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took yesterday while hiking and I look forward to sharing more of my adventures with you daily.. Have a great day and remember!! Take a kid fishing.

 

Chef Chris

 

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