Where to Go South Platte River – Elevenmile Canyon

SUMMER HOURS 6am to 6pm Daily

Pikes Peak Trout Unlimited has installed water temperature sensors in 11 mile canyon. Check out the water temps HERE

Report Date: 8/27/2025

FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE!

Current Conditions: 

The flows in the canyon have been slowly creeping up to match the inflow to 11 Mile reservoir. Current flows are at 149 cfs and should stay right around that rate. These flows are pretty close to the flows on the Dream. Both sections of river will flow at the same rates, or pretty close to the same rates through the remainder of the year.   These flows are great and pretty much the most water these fish have seen in almost a year. This should help relieve the immense pressure these fish have faced this summer. There are lost of weeds and moss and that has made nymphing more difficult. The dry fly fishing is still pretty decent, but these fish are being extremely cautious on what they are eating. Perfect drifts and proper presentation will be the name of the game right now and there is little room for error. As usual, the canyon has been extremely busy, even on weekdays. The dry fly fishing has been hot and miss for Tricos early in the morning. This is starting pretty early around 7am and lasting until about 10. The fishing drastically slows down after that hatch, but there is still opportunity with some PMD's, some Caddis, BWO's, and even some smaller hoppers.

While most people go clear up by the dam to fish, there are some great places lower in the canyon right now. Also, explore fishing up here in the evenings.

Hatches: 

The bug life is popping in the canyon right now. We are still seeing great midge hatches, Trico's, caddis, and some PMD's. While the PMD's and Caddis are starting to wane, we will see an increase in BWO's as we progress into fall. Fish these bugs subsurface to start out but be ready to switch to dry flies as the surface activity increases. Pay attention to the bugs and their general sizes.

Tactics: 

Specifically for the Tricos- They have been in the rotation for quite some time now and the fish are getting very picky. Size down on your flies and make sure you have a good drag free drift. The fish have been more focused on spinners recently. In general, Nymphing, dry dropper, and dry fly fishing are all doing very well right now.  Focus on dry fly fishing during the pronounced hatches. As the bugs start to emerge the fish will be consuming them at a high rate. Watch the surface closely and switch over to dries as necessary. Hoppers around noon have been fun too.

Weather: 

Short Term-  We have had quite the opposite weather on how the first half of August was. After a very hot and dry start to the month, its been extremely wet and cool recently. We have seen consistent and almost persistent rainfall over the last few days. This weather change couldnt have come at a better time as fire danger was starting to increase substantially. We will continue to see some cooler and wet weather through the week and into the weekend. Temps will be in the upper 60's/low 70's and rain chances are pretty high each day. Its a good bet that you could encounter rain at any time. Some of the storms could bring quite a bit of lightning with it as well, so remain alert.

Long Term-  Starting on Sunday, we look to dry out a little bit. Temps will remain nice but below seasonal averages. This short break should go through Monday, but then things return to a wetter and again cooler forecast starting on Tuesday. This monsoonal pattern looks to be sticking around through at least the first weekend in September with rain chances in the 50%+ range every day. Temps will stay in the 60's and 70's and will be quite pleasant. Beyond that, its anyones guess. We will take this moisture right now because we are bound to dry out and warm up again.

Tips: 

Pay attention to the rises when you see fish feeding on the surface, or what you may think are fish feeding on the surface. These fish love to eat high emergers. Think about sinking that dry fly to entice more eats.

This is an area we offer guided walk/wade trips, and we are one of the only outfitters permitted to do so in 11 mile canyon, please give us a call if you are interested! (We are currently only offering full day trips here)

RECOMMENDED PATTERNS 

For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here! 

Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:

• Foamback emerger, black, sizes 24-20
• RS2, black, Sizes 18-22
• Stalcups baetis, olive, sizes 20-22
• Clear choice May, sizes 18-16
• Sparkle pupa, size 16
• Foamie Homie, black, sizes 20-22

Our Top Dry Flies for Today:

• Griffiths gnat, sizes 18-24
• Parachute Adams, natural, sizes 20-24
• Elk Hair Caddis, size 18
• Vis a dun, black, sizes 22-24
• Trico spinner, black, sizes 22-24

Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:

• Baby Gonga, black, size 6
• Slumpbuster, Natural, size 4-6
• Wooly buggers, brown, sizes 6-8

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!