South Fork South Platte (Hartsel)
○ Live fetch unavailable — showing sample data
stable spring-fed
True spring creek — fed by thermal springs and seeps, so it stays clear and fishable through runoff while everything else blows out. Stealth is everything: short rod (3–4 wt, 8–8.5 ft), 5X–6X tippet, sight-fish meadow water. Eager but spooky fish. Approach low and slow. Reservoir-run brown and rainbow can show up big. South Park calm pocket — today (Sun Jul 5) ~72°F, mostly sunny; scattered PM storms return Tue–Wed.
Public access at Badger Basin SWA (artificial flies + lures only) along South Fork through Hartsel. Tomahawk SWA 5 mi N — start at CO-9 bridge, fish down to S./M. Fork confluence. Hartsel Ranch private (3 mi exclusive water) — guided trips only via Mountain Angler. Scuds, crayfish, midges, BWOs, caddis the staples. CPW state trust land regs apply at Hartsel SWA. South Park pattern: today (Sun Jul 5) ~72°F, mostly sunny; scattered PM storms return Tue–Wed. Spring creek stays clear regardless.
Fly-shop reports
4 shops report on South Fork South Platte (Hartsel)Reports are pulled live from each shop when you open this river. Shop wording varies — tap through for the full, original report.
Fishability Score breakdown
How today's 92 is built. Flow 35% · Water temp 25% · Weather 20% · Hatch 20%.
Weather & hatch are placeholder factors until wired to live sources.
What to throw — by time of day
Zebra Midge #20, Scud #16 (orange/tan), midge larva #20, BWO nymph #18
BWO emerger #18–20, Parachute Adams #16, small caddis #16, dry-dropper rig
BWO dun #18, Elk Hair Caddis #16, soft hackle swung
Seasonal hatch report
Fall — BWOs & Streamers
Cooling water wakes the fish up. Blue-Winged Olives return on grey afternoons, and pre-spawn browns chase streamers hard.
Sources & last updated
| Source | Feeds | Most recent update |
|---|---|---|
| USGS 06699500 | South Fork South Platte (Hartsel) | Sample data — no live reading |
| Hatchwise Seasonal Guide | Hatch & fly guidance | Jul 5, 12:00 PM MT · editorial |
| The Catch and The Hatch | Shop fly report | Live — see report |
| Mountain Angler | Shop fly report | Live — see report |
| Hartsel Ranch | Shop fly report | Live — see report |
| Colorado Trout Hunters | Shop fly report | Live — see report |
Live flow & water temp come straight from the USGS Instantaneous Values service; timestamps are the gauge's own reading times (Mountain Time).