Right now
Live from USGS gauge 06695000 and National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Egg, San Juan worm, leech, Pat's Rubber Legs, small streamer
- Rig
- 8–9' 4x–5x, heavier indicator rig in the deep bends. A 6-weight handles the wind.
Best flow range here: about 40 to 200 cfs. The live flow above tells you where today sits.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- South Platte between Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile reservoirs
- Drive from Denver
- About 2.5 hours via US-285 over Kenosha Pass
- Access
- Meadow stream with parking lots along the road
- Best for
- Big lake-run fish in spring and fall
- Season
- Peaks in spring and fall; fishable year-round
- Gauge
- 06695000, South Platte above Elevenmile Reservoir (just below Spinney)
- Dogs
- State Wildlife Area rules apply. Check the CPW Atlas before bringing one
Where to park
Lot where CR 59 crosses the river
- The most-used lot is free and open year-round, right where the river passes under County Road 59 (Thirtynine Mile Road), on the way to Spinney. Directions go to the park; watch for the river crossing just before it.
- More lots off Spinney Mountain Access Road. The water is all similar, so pick the lot with the fewest cars.
- Lots inside Spinney Mountain State Park need a state parks pass.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
The Dream Stream is a few miles of meandering meadow stream in South Park, running between Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile reservoirs. Most of the year it holds a good resident population. In spring and fall, big trout move up from Elevenmile Reservoir: rainbows and cutbows in spring, browns and kokanee salmon in fall.
Those lake-run fish are why people drive two and a half hours across South Park in the dark.
When to go
- Fall (Sep–Nov): browns and kokanee run up to spawn. November brings post-spawn browns dropping back to the lake.
- Spring (Mar–May): rainbows and cutbows run up. Spring is busy, and the fishing is excellent.
- Summer: resident fish, hatches and hoppers along the grassy banks.
- Winter: open, but cold and windy. Midges are the main food.
Wind, weather and the drive
South Park is high and exposed, and wind decides more trips here than flows do. Check the wind forecast before you leave. A 6-weight rod handles it better than a 4-weight. Kenosha Pass on US-285 can be snowy from fall through spring, so check road conditions.
Flies and rigs
- Spawn seasons: eggs, San Juan worms and small leeches, under an indicator in the deep bends.
- Streamers: small leeches and buggers, stripped through the outside bends in low light.
- Bugs: midges and Baetis in cold months, PMDs and caddis in summer, hoppers in late summer.
The deep outside bends hold the big fish. Fish each one thoroughly before you move.
Etiquette and regulations
It's Gold Medal water with special regulations, including tackle limits. Check the CPW Atlas for current rules. During the spawn, stay off the gravel and never target fish sitting on redds. Fish the deeper water downstream of them instead.
How to fish the bends
The Dream Stream winds through the meadow in tight bends, and the outside of each bend is usually the deepest water. Approach from the inside, stay off the skyline, and get your flies drifting along the bottom of the outside seam. Big lake-run fish often sit at the head and tail of these deep slots. Work each one carefully before you move on.
A typical November day
Drive in early and check the wind at Hartsel. If it's calm, fish the deep bends with an egg and a small nymph under an indicator, and strip a small leech through the deepest water in low light. If the wind is up, fish the more sheltered bends and keep your casts short.
Know before you go
- Check the live gauge the morning you go. A release change can turn a good day into a slow one.
- Read the exact stretch's rules in the CPW Fishing Atlas, since special regulations vary within a river.
- Carry a current Colorado fishing license. Annual licenses run April 1 through March 31.
- Check the road: COtrip for I-70, US-285 and US-24 in winter.
- Pack for the season: in cold months, gloves, hand warmers, a thermos and traction for icy banks.
Where to eat and gear up
Stops in Lake George. Dog-friendly means leashed dogs on the patio; call to confirm, especially in winter.
| Stop | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Water Cafe | Food | Breakfast burritos, next to the fly shop |
| Fat BBQ Shack | Food | Brisket. Order early, it's slow |
| The Buffalo | Food | Sit-down dinner |
| Tumbling Trout | Fly shop / tackle | Dream Stream + Elevenmile flies & reports |
Questions anglers ask
- When is the best time to fish the Dream Stream?
- Spring and fall, when lake-run trout move up from Elevenmile Reservoir. October and November bring big browns.
- How windy is the Dream Stream?
- Often very windy. It's an open meadow in South Park. Check the forecast, and bring a 6-weight and a windproof layer.
- Can I bring my dog to the Dream Stream?
- It runs through a State Wildlife Area, and CPW has restricted dogs on some SWAs. Check the property's rules in the CPW Fishing Atlas before you bring one.
- How far is the Dream Stream from Denver?
- About 2.5 hours via US-285 over Kenosha Pass, depending on where you start and the weather.
- Where can I buy flies or tackle near Dream Stream?
- Tumbling Trout is the closest shop. Dream Stream + Elevenmile flies & reports.
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