River Pattern Guide

Best Flies for South Platte River

The South Platte River system is Colorado's most celebrated trout fishery, with several Gold Medal sections that produce exceptional numbers of large, well-conditioned trout in dramatic Front Range ca...

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11 recommended patterns

Dry Fly

Parachute Adams

The most versatile dry fly ever tied.

Sizes 12–20

Midge

Zebra Midge

Small fly, big results — the tailwater secret weapon.

Sizes 16–26

Dry Fly

Trico Spinner

The Trico Spinner imitates the spent Tricorythodes spinner fall — one of the most technical and rewa

Sizes 20–24

Nymph

Flashback Hare's Ear

The Flashback variant adds a strip of pearl tinsel over the wing case of the classic Hare's Ear, pro

Sizes 12–18

Emerger

Barr's Emerger

John Barr's BWO emerger is the definitive trailing-shuck pattern for imitating Blue-Winged Olives tr

Sizes 18–22

Emerger

Emerging Caddis Pupa

This pattern captures the explosive moment when a caddis pupa ascends through the water column and b

Sizes 12–18

Emerger

PMD Emerger

A trailing-shuck emerger pattern specifically colored to match Pale Morning Dun emergence. The pale

Sizes 14–18

Wet Fly

Soft Hackle Hare's Ear

A Hare's Ear body with a soft Hungarian partridge hackle collar, designed to be swung across and dow

Sizes 12–16

Midge

Top Secret Midge

The Top Secret Midge features a thread body with a pearl Flashabou wing case at the thorax, adding a

Sizes 18–24

Nymph

Surveyor

A modern Euro nymphing staple that blends the best elements of the Pheasant Tail and Frenchie into o

Sizes #14–#18

Nymph

Blowtorch

A flashy attractor nymph that combines a bright hot spot with a dark body to create maximum contrast

Sizes #12–#16