June 21, 2022
The South Platte River – Bridge Crossing & The Bend Hole, Bridge Hole, and Fishermen’s Run in Deckers.
Flows: 87 cfs.
Water Temp: 56F @ 9a.
Water clarity: Crystal clear.
Air Temp: low 50sF @ 8:30a – high 67F @ 4p.
Hatches: Midge and Caddis 8:30a to 10a at Bridge Crossing. Light midge later in the morning in Deckers.
Flies: #18 & #20 Elk Hair Caddis, #22 Flashback Black Beauty, #24 Mercury Baetis, #24 Barr BWO Emerger, #24 Sparkle Wing RS2, #18 Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear, #20 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #22 Chocolate Thunder, Orange Egg, #10 Egg Sucking Leech, #20 Olive RS2, #16 orange peg egg
Top producers: Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear, Barr Emerger, Chocolate Thunder, Leech, Egg (regular and peg egg).
In the Bridge Crossing Run looking upstream from the riffled water - the flat water can be seen above the rock weir.
As we drove along River Road toward Deckers we noticed that the flows were low – very low. We saw parts of the river that we’ve never been able to see before. Rocks and boulders, and huge logs that were once submerged were now uncovered in the low water.
Not the best fishing conditions.
We started to think of places that would fish best in low water. Places where the river is narrower. Places where riffles flow into deep pools. In general, places that would give the fish some cover while providing food. Places like the Bridge Hole, Lone Rock Campground, the Cable Hole, etc. There were quite a few that came to mind.
The Bridge Crossing Run as seen looking downstream from the deep pool.
Then when we got to the Bridge Crossing Run it was open and we decided to check it out. From the bridge we could see a number of trout in a slow pool and some in a seam toward the middle of the river. That was enough to entice us to give it a try. Why not. We’d catch a few of them, then head down into Deckers and fish there later in the day.
We usually only fish the upstream side of the bridge. It’s a pretty short run of about ¼ mile but it’s one of my favorite places to fish. In about the middle of it – there is an island that breaks the river in two and on either side of it, there are riffles that flow into a nice, deep pool. Just what we were looking for. It’s also very scenic and it’s a good place to sight fish --- and you can usually get a few nice trout out of it.
What fly fisherman wouldn’t like it?
A feisty fingerling brownie.
With the low flows, my plan was to fish a Dry/Dropper rig. I sat streamside rigging it up. There were a bunch of caddis flies in the air and I chose an Elk Hair Caddis as my “Dry” and a Flashback Black Beauty flowed by a Brown Caddis Larva as my “Droppers”. Not a standard Dry/Dropper rig, but one I liked.
When I was done I walked cautiously to the place where we spotted the trout. But they had vanished. Brian was upstream fishing the pool and the riffles leading into it. I walked that way keeping an eye on the water to see if I could spot any fish. I didn’t.
Brian got this brightly colored female in the flat water at the top of the Bridge Crossing Run.
Brian Kenney.
We both explored the upper part of the run above the riffled water and we were wondering where the heck did those trout go? There is some flat water above a rock weir and I was thinking of trying it out, but decided to head back downstream.
As I came back downstream – wading across the river just above the pool – I spotted two trout sipping just below the surface of the water at the lip of the pool. I carefully maneuvered into position and began to cast to them. One swam upstream into the riffles and disappeared. The other one didn’t seem interested in my offering. I thought my flies may be floating over top of him, so I added a split shot to get them down. On my next cast my dry fly – which was acting as my indicator – hesitated and I set the hook.
This 12" rainbow took a Guide's Choice Hare's Ear in the Bend Hole.
The added weight was too much as my flies were evidently below him and I foul hooked him. He quickly broke off and unfortunately he took all my “Droppers” with him. I felt bad that he now had a fly imbedded in him but there was nothing I could do.
As I was tying on new flies, Brian came down and said he had ventured into the flat water above the rock weir and got a 12” rainbow to take his Olive RS2. That would be the first fish between us for the day. I was changing to a standard nymph rig. I had a Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear as my lead fly followed by a #20 Mercury Pheasant Tail and a #24 Mercury Baetis. I chose the Mercury Baetis because it is olive in color and imitates a BWO. Sort of like the Olive RS2 that worked for Brian.
Brian got this nice brownie in the Bridge Hole.
Brian Kenney.
Brian and I continued to fish the deep pool and he spotted a couple of trout sipping in the film just below the surface in the middle of the pool. Try as we might – but we couldn’t entice them to hit. They soon left, and we decided to head to the car and go upstream to Deckers.
As I made my way, I casted into some likely spots hoping to get at least one trout before we left. In the meantime I had changed my Mercury Baetis out for a #24 BWO Barr Emerger. On one of my drifts my indicator bobbled. Setting the hook I found that I had a fingerling brownie that took my Barr Emerger. The little guy fought gamely and I felt for him as I brought him to net.
So I had my one fish. A little one – but one nontheless. Not really satisfied – we headed for the car and drove upstream to Deckers.
Got this brownie in the Bend Hole.
Not sure where we were wanting to go – we drove along the YMCA road to scout out the different holes. Ray’s, Fishermen’s, and the Bridge Hole were open. We drove all the way to Mark’s Run which was taken. So we turned around and headed back planning to hit Fishermen’s Run.
On the way we ran into an angler who just left the Bend Hole. Brian asked how he did and the guy said “Had a great morning. The fish we really biting”. That was enough for us to park and give the Bend Hole a try.
Releasing the 12" rainbow.
We could see several fish at the end of the run, some in the deeper pool, and some below it. A little later I spotted some in the shallow water at the end of the run too. The fish weren’t “really biting” as the guy had said though - and we had limited success. I had landed a couple trout. One rainbow and one brownie – both taking the Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear. Brian had one on but it broke off.
We gave the hole about an hour and half then proceeded to head to Fishermen’s Run. We parked at the Resort and walked along the south shore toward the run. As we did, we spotted several trout and as many suckers stacked in the deep part of the Bridge Hole. I wasn’t sure if they were feeding or not, but we decided to cast to them and see.
I didn’t waste too much time with them as I moved upstream to Fishermen’s Run. Brian continued to fish the Bridge Hole and began to work the north side of the run heading toward Fishermen’s. There he landed a nice rainbow on a Chocolate Thunder.
Got this cutbow at the tail end of Fishermen's Run on a Chocolate Thunder.
Fishermen are known to copy – especially if something is working. After Brian landed that rainbow on a Chocolate Thunder – I decided to change out my Barr BWO Emerger for one. And as I continued to work my way upstream I had a nice 18” cutbow take it! It’s not unusual for fishermen to share what’s working. Fishing buddies always do - and there is no shame in copying success!
Brian tending to his flies after releasing a nice rainbow he caught between the Bridge Hole and Fishermen's Run.
We both had a couple of fish each as the afternoon wore on - the action was definitely slow. Brian was midway between the Bridge Hole and Fishermen’s when I decided to take a break. I was sitting along the riverbank drinking some water when Brian hooked up a nice rainbow. After releasing him, he said it hit an egg.
Earlier, at the head of Fishermen’s I had spotted some rainbows spawning. Yes – still spawning this late. I also noticed some trout in a deep trough below the spawning bed sipping something in the film. Just like the fish this morning. I couldn’t figure out what they were eating though.
This 16" rainbow took an orange egg in Fishermen's Run.
After Brian got the rainbow on an egg – I decided to change my rig up. No shame in copying success. I tied on an orange egg as my lead fly and followed that about 3” below with an Egg Sucking Leech. This setup is supposed to imitate a leech swimming after an egg. Either one of which the trout eat.
After making that change – the fun began!
On about my third cast with the egg/leech combo a rainbow hit the leech. And I mean hit it – hard. It was a no doubter. She just hit it and ran – taking line out as she did. I was in that deep trough below the spawning bed. After fighting her to net and releasing her, I went back to the trough. Brian soon joined me and fished it from the other side.
This on smacked the Egg Sucking Leech.
Sharing the hot spot – that’s what fishing buddies do.
It wasn’t long and another rainbow hit. The same way. Taking the egg this time. Then another. Same thing. Brian was having similar success and we netted a handful of rainbows. Interestingly, we didn’t get any brownies. At one point we both had one on. Doubled up – as they say.
After a bit the action stopped. I think we caught every fish that was lying in that trough.
This is what you come for! She smacked an Orange Egg in Fishermen's Run.
After grinding all day, coaxing fish to take one of our flies – it was so much fun to have them just come up and smack one. After the first one, you anticipate the next one – and then BAM! It was pretty exciting and a great way to end the day.
Chatting it up, sharing information on what’s working. Finding and sharing the hot spots.
Releasing this beaut back into Fishermen's Run.
Makes for a fun day on the river!
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