Winter Fishing: The South Platte
Waterton Canyon
by K. Christopherson |
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It's winter and most of the smaller rivers are
iced up. You're dying to go fishing, and don't want to travel
half way across the state. Feel like walking or biking through
the snow and tempting some challenging angling? Try Waterton
Canyon.
The South Platte River merges with its
North Fork at the west entrance to Waterton Canyon.
Here the river is accessible by foot or mountain bike - there is a parking
lot across from the old South Platte Hotel on Hwy 67 north of Deckers. The trail follows the grade
of the narrow gauge tracks (now removed). This track was laid in 1876 for
the Denver South Park and Pacific rail line, running from Denver to South
Park and Leadville to service the mining camps. However, on weekends it
was popular with Denver anglers offering access to world-class fishing
in the 1870's.
You can also access Waterton Canyon from the east. Drive south on Wadsworth
Blvd (Hwy 121), south of C-470. The road turns at Kassler where there is a large
parking area. From here, you can bike or hike into the canyon.
The path is wide and reasonably flat.
 Looking
west at Waterton |
You
can start fishing almost immediately. In the winter, the trick
is finding the areas which are at least partially ice-free. Be
careful walking on the ice - potential exists for slipping or
breaking thru the ice. Bring your waders so you can get out in
the river and make casting easier.
To
find less crowds, good pools and small tailwaters, hike or bike
up the canyon. A mountain bike works well, as it is 6.2 miles from Kassler to
Strontia Springs Reservoir. However, there are good areas to
fish before Strontia Springs. The fishing improves at the
Marston Diversion Dam which is 3.3 miles from the Kassler
trailhead.
No dogs are allowed in the
canyon because of the Big Horn sheep habitat. Up to 35 sheep
live in the canyon - nice to look at, but please refrain from
chasing or scaring them.
Remember that the object of this exercise is
to get some fishing in, not necessarily catch fish. This is a
tough stretch of water to fish, even in summer. Winter means
using nymphs, and trying to attract fish that aren't really
interested in what you have to offer. Occasional hatches may
provide an opportunity to throw a small dry on top.
Because the hiking is easy, and there is good
wildlife viewing, this area is a good place to bring the kids.
There are picnic tables along the route where you can rest.
Maybe it's time to teach junior how to use that fly rod.
Learning to flyfish
