Best Fly Fishing in Colorado Today: Deckers, Clear Creek, Ark, Fraser & More Are On Fire

Flows are falling. Bugs are hatching. And trout across Colorado are looking up. Welcome to prime time.

In this episode, we break down the absolute best fly fishing in Colorado today, with river-by-river updates pulled from our boots-on-the-ground intel and River Whisper 8.0 flows. Whether you’ve got a hall pass for the day or just enough time to sneak in an early morning mission, we’ve got you dialed.

We cover 5 rivers fishing hot right now:

• South Platte at Deckers – With flows around 340 CFS and a solid PMD hatch rolling, the Platte is fishing like a well-oiled machine. We’re seeing productive dry-dropper setups with RS2s, Juju Baetis, and mid-column emergers. Fish are rising late morning and the Trico tease is beginning.

• Clear Creek upstream of Tunnel 1 – This is your high-country pocket water therapy. At 75 CFS and clear as gin, this stretch is giving up hungry browns to yellow stimulators and zebra midges all day. If you want numbers and a short drive from Denver, this is your ticket.

• Arkansas River (Granite to Browns Canyon) – Stoneflies, PMDs, yellow sallies—it’s a buffet out there. Flows are stable and wadeable, with fish stacked in seams and just off drop-offs. Toss a Pat’s Rubber Legs and follow with a pheasant tail or Frenchie. The Ark is back in summer shape.

• Fraser River near Winter Park – A true sleeper hit this week. Flows are at 90 CFS and clarity is crystal. You’ll find green drakes, caddis, and a surprising amount of surface action early and late. Bonus: virtually no one’s fishing it right now. Bring stealth and small water tactics.

• Cache la Poudre near Fort Collins – While not yet at peak, the Poudre is settling quickly. At 300 CFS, visibility is up and the bite is turning on. Great for dry-dropper rigs and swinging soft hackles in the evening.

We also break down:

• Top flies to pack today based on hatches and flows

• Conditions to avoid, including spots that are still too high or murky

• Seasonal patterns to keep in mind as runoff finally gives way to summer consistency

• Pro tips for each location to help you find success faster and avoid rookie mistakes

This is not your generic “throw a hopper” podcast. You’ll get a sharp, realistic read of what’s working, what’s changing, and how to adapt. The fish are active. The sun is high. And the excuses are all lined up—so let’s make it count.

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We bring you weekly reports, guides, and tips for fly fishing in Colorado. From tailwaters to backcountry creeks, we track real conditions, proven flies, and seasonal strategies to keep your net wet.

Check out more reports, hatch charts, and curated gear recommendations at RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com.

Tight lines. See you out there.