Only eight miles from Lazy Bones Ranch, Deckers offers some of the best fly-fishing in Colorado. One of the things that makes Deckers incredible is its’ year-round accessibility and warmer water temperatures.
Deckers is found directly downstream from Cheesman Reservoir along Highway 67. While most rivers form thick ice layers during the winter months, tailwaters like Deckers are warm enough to stay ice free throughout the winter. The water temperature and available food sources in the river allow large Rainbow and Brown trout to inhabit this section of river year round.
Nymphing will be more consistent than dry flies during this time of year. If you are looking for solitude and able to fish with smaller productive tailwater flies like midge larva and pupa imitations, Deckers will be a prime winter fishing location. When the flows are up and the winter storms have subsided, you can sometimes catch fish greater than 20” on this specific stretch of river.
The portion of river near the property is considered Gold Medal water with some of the best Rainbow and Brown trout in the nation. In order to receive this designation, the river must produce 60 pounds of fish per acre and at least twelve of this total 60 must be 14”. Only 322 miles of Colorado’s 9,000 miles of trout streams, and three lakes carry this “Gold Medal” classification. This Gold Medal section of the South Platte starts below Cheesman Reservoir and ends just downstream from the Scraggy View Picnic Area. Although a lot of public access points can be found upstream, as you get closer to the property you will find greater privacy and seclusion on the river.
Lazy Bones Ranch is only a two mile snowshoe from the South Platte and accessible by car year-round. Experience some of the best winter water in Colorado, only a few minutes from your own front porch.
To explore more about the ranch, check out our recent blog on the Holidays at Lazy Bones Ranch.
Sources:
http://www.anglerscovey.com/where-to-fish/colorado-rivers/south-platte-river-deckers