June 27, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”17″ gal_title=”moving day 2″]

Good evening everyone! First, let me start by saying that  I am very sorry  for not having my blog posted this morning!! I did have one posted at 8:30, but I loaded too many pictures and ultimately lost the blog!! I am also in the process of moving and had to spend the rest of my day hauling items to my new home on the river, just a half-mile downstream from Decker’s.  I will still be providing the conditions report each morning with Trumbull to Decker’s being my daily walk along the South Platte River.  It was pretty hot up here today in the valley with temperatures reaching the upper 80’s.  I have notices quite a bit  of dry fly activity, with duns, midges, caddis coming off all around Decker’s, with   even some trico’s  spotted a little further downstream.  Here are a few pictures from the weekend here in Decker’s. There was a promotional event going on in the  forest service parking lot, located behind the Cafe and Fly-shop.  “Sage” Fly-Rods  spent two full days offering  anglers the chance to try some of their latest fly-rods on the market. As you can see in the picture gallery, Decker’s is a big gathering spot for many, including motorcyclists, fisherman, campers, hikers, bird watchers and those who just want a lazy summer day tubing the river. Whatever the reason, be sure to stop into Decker’s Country Store and say hello!! That’s where you’ll find me when I’m not out fishing, hiking, or tracking down that perfect valley sunset.  Have a great evening and I’ll be back soon.

 

Chef Chris

June 26, 2016

Good morning everyone!! Waking up this morning with temperatures already in the mid 60’s and warming up quickly.  It’s going to be a gorgeous day up here today my friends, with very comfortable temps only reaching into the low 70’s. The river flow at the Trumbull station was measuring 452 (cfs) at 5:45 this morning.  Yesterday, I fished the Trumbull area in the early morning,  but  didn’t do too much  after trying  a few different nymphing  rigs!! I started  with a San Juan Worm, trailing a variety of size #18-20 midges and nymphs, but there just wasn’t much happening. I moved downstream from “hole in the wall” and switched over to a streamer, Olive Wooley-Bugger, if you had to ask!!  After fishing in Decker’s for a number of years, I can’t tell you how many guides and other regular anglers to the Decker’s/Trumbull area will agree that the “Bugger” will always pull a fish or two when it seems like nothing else is working.  While standing closer to the middle of the river and throwing my bug to the bank, I like to let the fly-line pull the “bug” off the bank as it swings into the faster riff!! I’ve been getting strikes as soon as the bug hits the water, as well as when it meets the faster water, or at the end of the dead-drift with a couple of little “jigs” of the bug.

On my walk outside this morning, I quickly noticed that fish were actively rising along the YMCA road in Decker’s . I noticed fish in the faster and slower moving water rising up on early morning midge and caddis hatches.  By about 7:30 this morning,  there were already a number of Anglers between the Decker’s Bridge and the “Turn Hole.”  The campgrounds are full and the tubers are on the river!!  As a safety reminder, please remember that lighting and water do not mix!! If you hear thunder and see lightening, be sure to quickly get off the river and seek shelter.  Yesterday, we saw very bad afternoon thunderstorms with dangerous lightning and high winds.  Marble sized hail fell yesterday,  forcing many campers, hikers, and fisherman off the river.  Don’t forget to make your campsite reservations ahead of time. Visit the “Things to do” page and click on a link to get your spot on the South Platte River today!! Have a great day, and remember to take someone fishing.

 

Chef Chris

June, 25, 2016

Good morning from Decker’s, Colorado!! Chef Chris here with your morning river conditions report.  It’s a little overcast this morning, but with a nice early summer morning. The river flow at Trumbull is up a bit from yesterday and measured457(cfs). Fishing is good right now, tons of caddis and midges coming off each evening and have had some good success on early morning streamers, that’s just me personally. Campgrounds are full and it’s going to be a busy weekend here on the South Platte River. Heading out this morning to fish below the bridge , from Decker’s  down to “Hole in the Wall.”  More to come after we attempt to catch some fish!!  Have a great day and remember! TAKE A KID FISHING!

Chef Chris

 

June 24, 2016

Good morning and welcome back, Chef Chris here with your early morning insight into the river conditions and current weather, here in Decker’s/Trumbull, Colorado. At 5:45 this morning, the Trumbull station was showing 452 (cfs). It was a much cooler this morning when I took my walk earlier,as it’ was only 52 degrees when I left, but the sun has come up over the ridge and we are warming up nicely. Going to be a warm one today with forecasted temperatures reaching almost 9o Degrees. I fished last night through “Rays Run” up to the “Turn Hole,” and did pretty well, with a PMD “barr’s emerger” trailing again with a grey RS-2.  For those of you that are not familiar with Decker’s, YET!! I will be referring quite often to a beautiful map of the South Platte River’s, “named fishing holes”,  located on the wall next to Flies-n-lies.http://www.flies-n-lies.com. Stop in and say hello to the helpful staff and guides and they will give you the real “skinny” on what’s catching the most trout, what bugs are working and any gear you made need to purchase or rent.  I just like to offer up what works for me, as I am blessed to live and fish at will on this beautiful stretch of trout waters.

As I spend quite a bit of time outdoors these days shooting pictures of wildflowers, landscapes, fish and fisherman, I occasional have my “camera eye” open for that early summer bear that may give me that shot of a lifetime! Well, sorry my friends, it has happened yet!!  However, yesterday was the closest this season to getting a good picture of a bear. As I was walking back up from being down on the river in Trumbull, my new neighbor alerted me that there was a bear in the immediate area!! As he and I were facing each other, the bear gave us the slip, ran up the mountain behind him and was quickly was gone in seconds! Well, with camera in hand and out on the trail, I hope to get that “shot” and share it with you soon.  Have a great day, and remember, take someone fishing today!!

Chef Chris

 

 

June 23, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”16″ gal_title=”I trumbull for ya”]

Good morning to all of you visiting my blog for the first time, and a big Thanks! to all of you that are returning for my morning river conditions report. I hope you continue to follow my adventures and hopefully you are enjoying my writing and photos.   Gorgeous morning and we were at the 59 degree mark at 6:30, with sunny skies and much less humidity for sure!!  Last night we saw a nice cool-down and we didn’t see the overnight rains that we have been experiencing the last two evenings. I  didn’t see as many caddis or PMD’s coming off last night as I had the previous two evenings.  This moring at 5:45 am, the Trumbull station was measuring the river flow at  434 (cfs).  The water is clear, the fish are hungry, maybe thirsty too!  Today’s high will be about 87 degrees, and that my friends is what I believe to be a message to GO FISHING!  The fishing has been great on the South Platte in Decker’s, but be sure not to miss out on all the excellent water downstream from Decker’s.  There are excellent places to fish all the way from Decker’s  to Scraggy View, and further North.  Check out the fishing “hub” for more information about fishing in our area.

I spent a day outdoors yesterday, traversing the river, exploring some new trails, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off or stop my camera lens from finding it’s way to a Colorado Wildflower, like a Dowsing Rod to water! The South Platte River Valley is abundant with the bright colors and sweet aromas of the early summer wildflowers! Beautiful pink, purple, and tons of other shades of flowers can be found popping up out of the canyon walls and riverbanks all throughout the area. Don’t forget to check out the cactus picture, that’s one of my favorites. I Hope you enjoy the gallery from yesterday’s trip to Trumbull. Have a great day and give something positive back to someone who’s done that for you!  Take a grandparent Fishing!!!

Have a Great Day!!

Chef Chris