Trouts Fly Fishing

Reporter: Cody Hoeckelberg

Flow Conditions:

Water Clarity: Clear

Current Fishing Conditions:

May Fishing Report

Flows have been fluctuating on the DSP, so you may need to hold off for a day or two while things settle down clarity wise.  Once the flows level out and the water clears, expect fishing to start picking up on this iconic section of water.  The crayfish and leeches are starting to get active, which has the carp keying in on things other than annelids.  Nymphing is still going to be the most productive technique, although do keep your eye out for tailing fish, particularly on the warmer days.

Look for fish in their normal zones – just expect fewer of them to reveal themselves.  It is important to really pay attention to behavior and save your shots for feeding fish.  Also look for warmer and sunnier days - nice conditions will turn carp on and get them feeding in shallower water and flats. 

5/17/13 Update:  with the recent rainy weather, flows on the DSP are a bit too high for productive fishing.  At this point, we would reccomend chasing carp in one of Denve's many lakes and ponds.

Suggested patterns:  Crazy Dad 8, Brasso's Brandy Candy 8, Crazy Dad 8, Long Strip Crayfish, Barry's Carp fly, Hogan's Carp Bait, Morlock's Carp Breakfast, Agent Orange, Onyx Agent, Swimming Carp Nymph

River Description

The Denver South Platte is our go to water after work. The DSP (Denver South Platte) is the best carp fishery in the west (In our humble opinion) with the size of the carp being anywhere from 5 pounds to 40 pounds.We see carp fishing as practice for the flats for Bones, Reds, Permit etc and it will truly make you a better trout fisherman and will teach you the essentials to sight fishing. Some days will be so frustrating you wonder why you are standing in the middle of Denver, and other days you even wonder why you drive to the mountains when you can be sticking 10+ pound fish 15 minutes from your front door.

Not only will you find massive carp, the river is breeding grounds for rainbows and browns ,smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, perch, and walleye.  There is an ongoing effort by Denver Trout Unlimited  to help clean up and restore the Denver South Platte and make our river the best warmwater fishery in the west! One of their efforts is the Denver Carp Slam, a day long fishing tournament where the best anglers in the Country come to compete to see who can rack up the most inches of carp.

If you are thinking about trying your hand at Carp on the fly, come down to the shop and talk to one of us and we will get you pointed in the right direction.

If you really want to cut the learning curve you can take a guided trip with Trout's Guide Service.

 

Seasonal Overview:

Current Hatches:

Recommended Flies

Dries: NA Nymphs: Streamers:

Recommended Products:

Photos

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