Posts by Pat Dorsey

It’s taken nearly a decade for the scud populations near Deckers and Cheesman Canyon to rebound after the Hayman Fire. The good news is they’re back! And more importantly; the fish are wasting no time eating them. Anglers who frequent the South Platte watershed near the hamlet of Deckers should stock their fly boxes with…

Caddisflies are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of aquatic insects. They are members of the order Trichoptera, which includes nearly 1400 species in North America. The name Trichoptera is derived from the Greek words “trichos” meaning hair and “ptera” meaning wing, which refers to the fine, silky hairs that cover the tent-shaped…

During the peak of spring run-off you’ll need to adjust your tactics and techniques to match the prevailing conditions. As a general rule, tailwaters will be your best option during the high-water season. Tailwaters will traditionally provide anglers with clear flows and more of a consistent fishery in comparison to unregulated trout streams called freestones.…

Cheesman Reservoir is only inches from flowing over the spillway. Currently the reservoir is 1300 acre feet from reaching full capacity. 2014 will be a year to remember because we have above average snowpack (135%) and above average storage in the South Platte corridor. This is great news for South Platte anglers and the trout…

My favorite Baetis nymphs include: Stalcup’s Baetis, Jujubaetis, Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, and the Sparkle Wing RS 2. These are patterns that any serious tailwater junkie cannot live without during the shoulder seasons. I would recommend carrying an ample supply of these time-tested patterns in your fly boxes in sizes 18-22.…