Where to Go South Platte River – Dream Stream
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Report Date 10/17/2026
Conditions:
The USGS gauge (06695000) above Eleven Mile Reservoir is currently reading 65 cfs. The river runs low, clear, and open across the high-prairie valley. Large migratory brown trout are moving out of Eleven Mile Reservoir into the system for the fall spawn, alongside resident rainbows and cutbows. Fish are heavily concentrated in deep bend pools, undercut banks, and dark drop-off slots. Anglers must give active spawning redds in shallow gravel tailouts a wide berth.
Guide Report:
Ted Demitriou 9/26/2026
"Crowded! At least 10 cars in each parking lot. Trico and BWO hatch, got a few on Caddis too. No dry fly action"
Weather:
Short Term -
Mornings are cold and frosty, with temperatures dipping near or below freezing before warming into the 50s by early afternoon. High winds are a constant factor along this open, treeless stretch, routinely gusting from mid-morning through late afternoon and kicking up chop across the open pools.
Long Term -
Stable fall conditions will continue across South Park, with clear skies and seasonal cooling trends. Releases from Spinney Mountain Reservoir will remain consistent, while overnight freezes grow harsher and drive resident and migratory fish firmly into deep winter holding water.
Hatches:
Midges dominate morning hatch activity, followed by sporadic Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) emergences on overcast or breezy afternoons. Late-season terrestrials have largely wound down following freezing night temperatures, though afternoon winds occasionally knock residual ants or beetles off the bank grass.
Tactics:
The combination of low flows and zero bank cover makes these fish exceptionally spooky. Long leaders (9 to 12 feet) paired with 5X to 6X fluorocarbon tippet are mandatory. Avoid heavy indicators that splash loudly on landing; instead, use subtle yarn indicators, sight-nymphing techniques, or light drop-shot rigs drifted through deep bends. Use midday wind gusts to your advantage, as wind-ruffled surface water helps disguise leader entry and angler movement.
Tips:
Rig multi-fly nymph setups featuring an attractor pattern or small egg/worm point fly trailed by tiny midge pupae, midge emergers, or Baetis nymphs in small sizes. For surface feeders during light wind windows, present small midge dry flies or BWO emergers along soft foam lines. Streamers fished slowly through deep undercut banks can also trigger aggressive territorial strikes from migrating brown trout.
Photo by Phil Tereyla
This is an area where we offer guided fly fishing trips. There is no better way to learn an area like the Dream Stream than hiring one of our Orvis-endorsed professional guides!
Recommended Fly Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Para Midge, size #20-24
- "Greased" RS2, sizes #18-24
- Hackle Stacker, size #18-22
- Micro Chubby, sizes #14-16
- Juan's 180 Degree Trico, size #20-24
Nymph Patterns
- Juan's Bling Midge, size #20-22
- Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail, size #18-22
- Manhattan Midge, Red, size #18-22
- Massacre Midge Brown, #20-22
- Barr's Emerger BWO, size #18-22
Streamer Patterns
- Baby Gonga, Black
- Flatliner, White
- Slump Buster, Olive
Anglers Covey Bug Of The MOnth:
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR "WHERE TO GO" PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS!
River Details:
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 park pass fee to park in the last lot below Spinney.
"I love fishing the Trico hatch on the Dream Stream through September, as the hatches run strong though months end. Cover your bases with a parachute Trico trailed by a clear wing spinner throughout the morning hatch for best results!"
- Kenny Romero
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.