Colorado Fishing Reports ยท South Platte Basin
The North Fork of the South Platte runs along US-285 near Grant and Bailey. Water from the Roberts Tunnel makes its flows swing more than a normal mountain stream.
Looking for the latest North Fork South Platte River Grant river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the North Fork South Platte River โ Grant.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Grant fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Flows are about 130 cfs near Bailey, ice cold and a little stained. Roberts Tunnel deliveries can change the flow quickly.
Midges are the main hatch. Work the protected bank seams and deeper pockets with a short nymph rig: a Pheasant Tail, Rainbow Warrior or egg up top and a small midge or RS2 below. A Chubby makes a good indicator dry.
Fish late morning into the afternoon.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Grant, bring: Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20, RS2 Emerger #20-22, JuJu Baetis #20-22, Rainbow Warrior #18-20, Black Beauty #18-20, Egg #18, Chubby Chernobyl #10, Zebra Midge #18-22, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Grant river details
| Access | Much of the river near Grant and Bailey is private or club water. Public options include Pine Valley Ranch Park and national forest pull-offs. Confirm before you fish. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,600 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 64 miles, roughly 1 hour 29 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring before runoff and fall |
| Fish | Brown, rainbow and brook trout |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | National forest campgrounds up Guanella Pass Road (seasonal) |
| Kids | Limited. Fast pocket water and private boundaries. |
| Good to know | Tunnel water makes flows rise and fall more than you would expect. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Slow. Midges in the pockets.
Spring
BWOs before runoff.
Summer
Tunnel deliveries can push flows high. Caddis and PMDs.
Fall
BWOs and browns eating eggs.
How to get there
The North Fork follows US-285 through Bailey and Grant. Pine Valley Ranch Park is off County Road 126.