Fishing Conditions: POOR

Report Rating: POOR
Crowd Rating: Not Crowded
Not Crowded

Fly Fishing Report Date:

Wednesday, Jul 17, 2019

Weather & Water Conditions

Weather Water
Temp: 60+ Temp: 52-55
Sky: Clear Flow: 700
Wind: None Clarity: Slightly Off
Precip: None Runoff: Yes 
(All Day)

Colorado Stream Update: Flows remain high

Current Conditions at Below Chatfield:

The South Platte below Chatfield is still experiencing increased flows however fishing has picked up slightly. Focus efforts towards foam lines and soft seams. An attractor rig with worms, leeches, hare's ears, and large caddis offerings is gonna be the best way to find an eat. Look for flows to come down soon-ish. There are some opportunities to spot'n'stalk carp so keep your eyes open.

The carp fishing downtown has been superb. For best results get on the water early to find tailing fish. A good nympher will catch the majority of the fish but lots of opportunity presents itself for dry fly fishing opportunities. For a nice evening, ride your mountain bike up river one evening, you will be pleased with the healthy number of brown trout found in the Denver section.  The fishing is slow.  Clear skies and 60+ degree weather. The water temperature was between 52-55 degrees and Slightly Off.

Angling University: Up your game.
The Flyfisher Guide Service
The Colorado Trout Fisher Guide Service
Colorado Fly Fishing Trips with
Colorado Trout Fisher
Denver and Boulder Fly Fishing Guides
Colorado Trout Fisher logo

BOOK A TRIP

Trip Includes:
  • Flies and fishing tackle
  • Rods/reels
  • Waders
  • Lunch
  • Transportation
$225 for 1 or 2 people
$295 for 3 people
Angling University: Anyone can learn to fish.
The Flyfisher Guide Service: Get out and fish.

Likely Catch

Species: Carp
Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz
Length: 20 inches
Girth: 11 inches

Current Insect Hatches at Below Chatfield

Insect Type: Caddisfly

Insect: Little Plain Brown Sedge

Color: Brown

Size: 16

Time: PM

Little Plain Brown Sedge Larva Illustration
Little Plain Brown Sedge Emerger Illustration
Little Plain Brown Sedge Adult Illustration

Recommended Flies for Below Chatfield

Fly: San Juan Worm
Color: Pink
Size: 14
Time: All Day
San Juan Worm San Juan Worm
Fly: Leech
Color: Black
Size: 12
Time: All Day
Leech Leech
Fly: Crayfish
Color: Orange
Size: 8
Time: PM
Crayfish Crayfish

Colorado Hatch Conditions for Late July

Caddisflies
Insects: Green Sedge
Color: Olive to Gray Brown
Dates: Jul 15 – Sep 30
Emergence: Morning & Afternoon
Size: 12-14
Spinner Fall: NA
Green Sedge Larva illustration
Green Sedge Emerger illustration
Green Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Black Sedge
Color: Chocolate to Black
Dates: Jul 15 – Sep 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 16-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Black Sedge Larva illustration
Little Black Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Black Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Plain Brown Sedge
Color: Brown to Chocolate
Dates: Jun 15 – Aug 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Plain Brown Sedge Larva illustration
Little Plain Brown Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Plain Brown Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Sister Sedge
Color: Green to Greenish Brown
Dates: May 15 – Aug 30
Emergence: Afternoon & Evening
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Sister Sedge Larva illustration
Little Sister Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Sister Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Tan Short Horn Sedge
Color: Dark Brown to Yellow
Dates: Mar 1 – Aug 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Larva illustration
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Western Dark Sedge
Color: Dark Brown
Dates: Jun 1 – Aug 15
Emergence: Mid Day
Size: 16-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Western Dark Sedge Larva illustration
Little Western Dark Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Western Dark Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Micro Caddis
Color: Yellow, Orange or Brown
Dates: Jun 15 – Oct 15
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 20-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Micro Caddis Larva illustration
Micro Caddis Emerger illustration
Micro Caddis Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Spotted Sedge
Color: Brownish Yellow
Dates: May 15 – Sep 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 10-12
Spinner Fall: NA
Spotted Sedge Larva illustration
Spotted Sedge Emerger illustration
Spotted Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Mayflies
Insects: Blue Winged Olive
Color: Light Olive Brown to Brown Olive
Dates: Mar 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: Clouds & warmest part of day
Size: 16-18
Spinner Fall: Evening
Blue Winged Olive Nymph illustration
Blue Winged Olive Emerger illustration
Blue Winged Olive Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Callibaetis Speckled Dun
Color: Tannish Olive to Olive Gray
Dates: Jun 1 – Aug 30
Emergence: Cloudy, Late Morning
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: Late Afternoon
Callibaetis Speckled Dun Nymph illustration
Callibaetis Speckled Dun Emerger illustration
Callibaetis Speckled Dun Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Early Pale Morning Dun (PMD)
Color: Olivish Yellow to Yellowish Pink
Dates: Jun 1 – Sep 15
Emergence: Mid Morning to Early Afternoon
Size: 16-22
Spinner Fall: Late Evening
Early Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Nymph illustration
Early Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Emerger illustration
Early Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Ginger Quill
Color: Pale Cream to Whitish
Dates: Jul 1 – Sep 15
Emergence: Morning
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: Evening
Ginger Quill Nymph illustration
Ginger Quill Emerger illustration
Ginger Quill Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Gray Drake
Color: Gray
Dates: Jun 1 – Nov 30
Emergence: Late Morning
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: Evening
Gray Drake Nymph illustration
Gray Drake Emerger illustration
Gray Drake Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Iron Blue Quill
Color: Light Olive Tan to Blue Gray
Dates: Jun 1 – Aug 15
Emergence: Warmest part of day
Size: 20-22
Spinner Fall: Evening
Iron Blue Quill Nymph illustration
Iron Blue Quill Emerger illustration
Iron Blue Quill Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Micro Blue Winged Olive (BWO)
Color: Pale Olive Green to Blue Gray
Dates: Jun 1 – Nov 30
Emergence: Clouds & warmest part of day
Size: 22-26
Spinner Fall: Evening
Micro Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Nymph illustration
Micro Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Emerger illustration
Micro Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Red Quill
Color: Reddish Brown
Dates: Jun 15 – Sep 30
Emergence: Mid Morning
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: Evening
Red Quill Nymph illustration
Red Quill Emerger illustration
Red Quill Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Slate Winged Drake
Color: Brown to Slate Gray
Dates: Jun 15 – Aug 1
Emergence: Early Afternoon
Size: 16-12
Spinner Fall: Evening
Slate Winged Drake Nymph illustration
Slate Winged Drake Emerger illustration
Slate Winged Drake Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Trico
Color: Black
Dates: Jul 15 – Sep 15
Emergence: Morning
Size: 22-26
Spinner Fall: Early Afternoon
Trico Nymph illustration
Trico Emerger illustration
Trico Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Western Green Drake
Color: Dark Olive
Dates: Jun 1 – Aug 1
Emergence: Cloudy, 1-4 pm
Size: 8-12
Spinner Fall: Evening
Western Green Drake Nymph illustration
Western Green Drake Emerger illustration
Western Green Drake Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Midges
Insects: Black Midge
Color: Blackish to Black
Dates: Apr 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-20
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Black Midge Larva illustration
Black Midge Emerger illustration
Black Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Chocolate Brown Midge
Color: Brown to Chocolate
Dates: Feb 15 – Dec 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 20-22
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Chocolate Brown Midge Larva illustration
Chocolate Brown Midge Emerger illustration
Chocolate Brown Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Micro Black Midge
Color: Blackish to Black
Dates: Mar 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: Morning
Size: 22-26
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Micro Black Midge Larva illustration
Micro Black Midge Emerger illustration
Micro Black Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Snow Midge
Color: Gray to Charcoal
Dates: Jan 1 – Dec 31
Emergence: Warmest part of day
Size: 24-28
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Snow Midge Larva illustration
Snow Midge Emerger illustration
Snow Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Stoneflies
Insects: Giant Golden
Color: Brownish Yellow
Dates: Jun 1 – Aug 1
Emergence: Follows Salmonflies
Size: 14-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Giant Golden Nymph illustration
Giant Golden Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Micro Yellow
Color: Greenish Yellow to Yellow
Dates: Jun 1 – Aug 30
Emergence: 46-54° Water Temps Morning
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Micro Yellow Nymph illustration
Micro Yellow Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Winter Black
Color: Black Brown to Reddish Olive, Mottled Brown
Dates: Apr 1 – Aug 15
Emergence: Cold Mountain Streams and Small Ponds
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Winter Black Nymph illustration
Winter Black Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Yellow Sally
Color: Pale Yellow to Pinkish Yellow
Dates: Jun 15 – Aug 30
Emergence: Morning to Early Afternoon
Size: 2-8
Spinner Fall: NA
Yellow Sally Nymph illustration
Yellow Sally Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Terrestrials
Insects: Beetle
Color: Brownish to Black
Dates: May 1 – Nov 30
Emergence: All Day
Size: 10-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Beetle illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Black & Red Ant
Color: Red & Black
Dates: Jul 1 – Sep 30
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-20
Spinner Fall: NA
Black & Red Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Black Ant
Color: Black
Dates: May 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 20-24
Spinner Fall: NA
Black Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Cricket
Color: Brownish Olive to Black
Dates: Jun 1 – Nov 30
Emergence: Twilight & Dusk
Size: 8-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Cricket illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Dog Day Cicadas
Color: Black & Orange
Dates: Jul 1 – Aug 31
Emergence: Varied
Size:
Spinner Fall: NA
Dog Day Cicadas illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Grasshopper
Color: Green to Brownish Tan
Dates: May 15 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 2-14
Spinner Fall: NA
Grasshopper illustration
Grasshopper illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Red Ant
Color: Red to Orangish
Dates: May 1 – Oct 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Red Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 


Current Conditions

Rain
Currently: Light Rain
Temperature:  62 F
Temp Max:  73 F
Temp Min:  52 F
Humidity: 60%
Wind: 29 S mph
Pressure: 1022
Rain Saturday 9:00PM — 59 ℉
Expect light rain with temperatures ranging between 50 and 59 ℉.
Wind: 7 SW mph; Humidity: 88%;  Rain: 2.875 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Sunday 6:00AM — 50 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 48 and 50 ℉.
Wind: 17 W mph; Humidity: 67%; 
Clear Sunday 9:00AM — 67 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 67 and 67 ℉.
Wind: 8 WNW mph; Humidity: 34%; 
Clear Sunday 12:00PM — 73 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 73 and 73 ℉.
Wind: 13 ENE mph; Humidity: 26%; 
Clouds Sunday 3:00PM — 72 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 72 and 72 ℉.
Wind: 5 E mph; Humidity: 32%; 
Rain Sunday 6:00PM — 60 ℉
Expect light rain with temperatures ranging between 60 and 60 ℉.
Wind: 16 NW mph; Humidity: 67%;  Rain: 2.063 for next 3 hours.
Rain Sunday 9:00PM — 50 ℉
Expect light rain with temperatures ranging between 50 and 50 ℉.
Wind: 14 ESE mph; Humidity: 96%;  Rain: 2.375 for next 3 hours.
Clear Monday 6:00AM — 47 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 47 and 47 ℉.
Wind: 11 W mph; Humidity: 88%; 
Clear Monday 9:00AM — 61 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 61 and 61 ℉.
Wind: 5 S mph; Humidity: 64%; 
Rain Monday 12:00PM — 66 ℉
Expect light rain with temperatures ranging between 66 and 66 ℉.
Wind: 21 E mph; Humidity: 53%;  Rain: 0.626 for next 3 hours.
Rain Monday 3:00PM — 68 ℉
Expect light rain with temperatures ranging between 68 and 68 ℉.
Wind: 14 E mph; Humidity: 44%;  Rain: 2.562 for next 3 hours.
Rain Monday 6:00PM — 54 ℉
Expect moderate rain with temperatures ranging between 54 and 54 ℉.
Wind: 6 NE mph; Humidity: 92%;  Rain: 7.626 for next 3 hours.
Rain Monday 9:00PM — 49 ℉
Expect light rain with temperatures ranging between 49 and 49 ℉.
Wind: 11 WSW mph; Humidity: 92%;  Rain: 1.625 for next 3 hours.
Clear Tuesday 6:00AM — 48 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 48 and 48 ℉.
Wind: 17 W mph; Humidity: 72%;