July 28, 2018 Decker’s & Cheesman Canyon update
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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
