Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for South Platte River (Colorado)
The South Platte River in Colorado is primarily a wade fishery. It is a tailwater fishery for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in March, April, May. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the South Platte River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Midges | #20-26 | Griffith's Gnat, RS2, Mercury Midge |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, Sparkle Dun | |
| June | Pale Morning Dun | #16-20 | PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Cripple |
| Caddis | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis | |
| September | Trico | #20-24 | Trico Spinner, CDC Trico |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO, RS2 |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the South Platte River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. Start lighter than your home river. One small tungsten and a long tag often beats a 3.5mm bead in clear water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the South Platte River?
- Start with Griffith's Gnat and RS2, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The South Platte River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the South Platte River?
- The editorial window we list is March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the South Platte River?
- Colorado has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the South Platte River?
- Open the South Platte River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the South Platte River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
South Platte River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Colorado
Trip planning for this region.
Griffith's Gnat
Dry
RS2
Emerger
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
Miguel Vasquez — Frying Pan Anglers
Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing
Blue Quill Angler
1532 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters
Steamboat Springs, CO
Animas River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Arkansas River (Colorado)
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Blue River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Cache La Poudre River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.