Where to Go South Platte River – Dream Stream
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SUMMER HOURS 6am to 6pm Daily
Photo by Phil Tereyla
Pikes Peak Trout Unlimited has recently installed water temperature sensors here. Check out the water temps HERE
Report Date: 8/1/2025
Current Conditions:
The flows came up slightly a couple of days ago and are now at 153 cfs. These flows are still below seasonal averages but a welcome sight from the low flows we have seen here for most of the summer. Still with this flow increase we are still seeing very high water temps. Water temps are reaching 70 degrees by around noon each day.
If you fish here, be sure to start early and end early!
Its impossible to say how long these flows will last or what the flow plan is for the remainder of the year. The dry fly fishing has been really good here recently. Dry or hopper/dropper rigs are deadly right now and a great way to fish the river.
Be sure to keep tabs on those water temps. and when they hit 68 degrees its time to stop fishing. If you want to know more about high water temps and the effect they have on the trout, read THIS.
Hatches:
Its a bug factory up here right now. Tricos, caddis, PMD's, midges, and even a few yellow sallies are all active right now. The hatches are happening pretty early with the warmer water. The bug life is pretty diverse and fishing the above mentioned patterns has been a ton of fun. This can be one of the best times of the year for dry fly fishing on this stretch.
Tactics:
Start early and end early. The lower flows have afforded some great dry fly fishing. Dry or hopper/droppers can also be a great tactic right now. Dont sleep on scuds, callibaetis (for real) and cranefly larva right now either.
Weather:
Short Term- We have been in a monsoon pattern over the last week or so. Some decent rain has fallen in this area over the last couple of days. Temps have been cool as well. Todays morning low was 38 degrees. We will see increased rain chances both today and tomorrow, then look to dry out and warm up on the back half of the weekend and into next week. Highs will be in the upper 70's/low 80's to start next week.
Long Term- The monsoonal flow we have enjoyed will be disappearing next week. We will get hot and things will dry out significantly. We will still have some afternoon rain chances but they will be way less than we have seen recently. In August we typically get pretty dry and hot. Expect highs in the 80's. Longer range forecasts are pointing to this coming to fruition again this year. Expect elevated fire danger if we run into a prolonged dry spell.
Tips:
Please be mindful of the water temps here!
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:
- Short shank caddis, size 16
- RS2, black, sizes 20-22
- Foamback emerger, black 24-22
- Jedi Master, olive, Sizes 20-22
- Barrs PMD emerger, sizes 18-16
- Iron Sally, sizes 16-18
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Mole Fly, natural. Size 18-22
- I wane Dun, black, sizes 22-24
- Elk Hair caddis, sizes 16-18
- Chubby spinner, black, size 22
- Chubby, royal, size 14-16
Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
- Mini Peanut envy, olive, size 6-8
- Sculpzilla, natural, size 6
- Slumpbuster, black/brown. Size 4
- Bennets Lunch money, trout, size 8
Standard nymph rig set up for the South Platte:
Screenshot the diagram above to reference while you're out on the water!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR "WHERE TO GO" PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS!
The South Platte River below Spinney Reservoir is known to most local anglers as the "Dream Stream." This tailwater doesn't have many hold over fish and is subject to high wind speeds and inclement weather. The spring and fall have been the Dream Stream's saving grace because of the spawns. Large rainbows and cutthroat trout move into the river in the spring, and Large browns and kokanee salmon move in in the fall. There is no camping available next to the river; however, several great campgrounds are downstream along Elevenmile Reservoir. There is a $9 parks pass fee to park in the last lot below Spinney.
This is an area we specialize and are permitted to guide in, so give us a shout if you have any questions or if you are interested in allowing one of our Orvis-Endorsed guides show you how best to conquer South Platte River – Dream Stream.