Where to Go South Platte River – Elevenmile Canyon

FALL HOURS: 9am TO 6pm DAILY

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

Report Date: 1/15/2025

Current Conditions: 

The flows in the canyon are still at 140 cfs. Flows above 11 mile reservoir are still in the same range, so we will continue to see the flow rates in the canyon match what is coming into the lake. These above average flows have afforded some great winter fishing in the canyon. As usual, The fishing is on the technical side, but any well placed fly within the hatches should do the trick. We are seeing some good ice build up in the shady parts of the canyon. The clarity is excellent and we are seeing some great sightfishing opportunities right now.

Please leave any redds you see alone!

The river hasnt been as busy recently, although we do see some pretty good crowds on the weekends still. Dont be afraid to fish the "bait water" or lower in the canyon as we have seen some fantastic fish in that area. Focus your efforts back in the riffles, runs, seams and holes in areas of the river that see sun.

Good, dead drifts right on top of the fish are key right now. Anglers will need to bring their A Game to the river right now.

We have seen some great midge hatches and fishing the adult stages (Dry flies) has been fun!

Hatches: 

We have transitioned into primarily fishing midges. The weather has been keeping the hatches going strong. Its pretty much all midges right now. The main hatches have been in later morning/early afternoon. Go small on your offerings as the bugs are on the tiny side. We have seen some great midge dry fly fishing.

Tactics: 

Nymphing will still be the most effective, but we are seeing some great dry fly fishing for midges. 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. Again, keep your patterns small!

Weather: 

Short Term-  We will enjoy a couple more days of quiet weather and then some huge changes will come. Today and Friday will be the nicest days with temps getting into the 20's. Morning lows are still cold and well below zero. On Friday night we will get a strong blast of cold arctic air dropping in from the north. This system will also be bringing some snow with it. We could see 3-5 inches of snow up here through the weekend. Temps will be brutally cold though, and highs are not expected to be much above single digits. Use caution if you are planning on being outside at this time. Frostbite can occur rather fast in conditions like this.

Long Term-  The extreme cold will last into next week and gradually warm up towards the end of the week. High temps next week will be in the single digits and teens. Morning lows are sure to be brutal and well below zero. As we get to the end of next week, we should see temps around average in the high 20's/low 30's. Looking beyond that, most weather models are showing dry conditions through about the 28th. It also looks like the storm track will shift a bit and at least put us in a better position to get some more snow. Lets hope that happens!

Our snowpack has been doing decent this year and is currently sitting right above average. Our snowpack as of today in the South Platte basin is at 102% of average for this time of the year. Lets hope these storms keep coming through the high country. Snow now means water later, and we can use all we can get!

Tips: 

Its winter mode right now. Think technical in all of your applications right now. Be careful taking fish out of the river in temps of 20 degrees or less. This can cause their eyes and gills to freeze, especially with prolonged exposure. If its really cold, keep em wet!!

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:

• Pale ale, brown, size 22
• Blindside midge, grey, size 22
• Sparkle wing RS2, black, sizes 20-22
• No Mercy midge, brown, sizes 20-22
• Black Beauty, sizes 20-24
• Rojo Midge, red, sizes 20-22

Our Top Dry Flies for Today:

• Mole fly, natural, sizes 20-24
• Parachute Adams, natural, sizes 20-24
• Matts midge, sizes 22-24

Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:

• Baby Gonga,  Grey, 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!