Where to Go South Platte River – Elevenmile Canyon
Current Reports
SPRING 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: 5/15/2026
Current Conditions:
The current flows in the canyon are 245 cfs. and the fishing has been great. These higher flows have really spread the fish out and they are occupying all parts of the river. With only a couple more weeks left at these flows, be sure to get out there soon! We do expect these flows to lower significantly after Antero has been drained. That should happen around the first week of June. Along with the standard hatching insects, its a good idea to add some larger food sources into the mix right now. Stones, scuds, worms, leaches, cranefly larva, etc.
Hatches:
BWO's are the main staple right now, but we have seen increased subsurface action with caddis. Midges are also still working. The menu is expanding and the best action has been subsurface. As the fish are getting used to the higher water, the dry fly fishing has also really picked up.
Tactics:
These flows open up the entire river and the whole stretch is going to fish well. Its always a good idea to cover ground up here.
Weather:
Short Term- We will see some very nice springtime temps up here in the next few days. High temps will be in the 60's and 70's, and we will see some decent cloud cover at times. Precipitation chances will increase on Saturday and more so on Sunday. It looks like we are entering another good stretch of cooler and wetter weather starting on Sunday. Temps will cool quite a bit on Monday and Tuesday and we should see some rain or maybe even wet snow. Morning lows will also get chilly at the beginning of next week. We could see some pretty good wind as well, so be sure to check the forecast before heading out. We will even see some good snow fall in the high country. This unstable pattern looks to last through next week, but temps will warm back up again. We are excited at the prospect of some sustained moisture returning to the area!
Long Term- Precipitation chances look to continue through the Memorial day weekend as well. Temps will be nice in the upper 60's, but we should see afternoon thunderstorms pretty consistently each day. These storms will start to develop around noon and some of them could be severe. In all, this is about the best case scenario for us here. We need the rain and by all accounts, it looks like we will get some. Longer range forecasts also show increased precipitation chances through May and into June. As always, we will have to wait and see how that all shakes out.
Tips:
Add some larger food sources into the mix with the increased flows.
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:
- San Juan worm, brown or red, sizes 14-16
- Philly cheese crane, size 10
- Stalcups baetis, olive, sizes 20-22
- Slim Shady, olive sizes 20-22
- Barrs emerger, BWO, size 20
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Parachute Adams, natural, sizes 20-26
- Mole fly, olive or brown, sizes 22-24
- Neil's BWO, size 20
- Elk Hair Caddis, ten, size 16
- Iwane dun BWO- sizes 20-22
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!
Elevenmile Canyon is our local gem. Any seasoned angler will agree that the South Platte River in Elevenmile Canyon is the place to go for unparalleled beauty. Elevenmile Canyon is also the place to go if you just want to catch a fish. Per mile this stretch of river seems to consistently hold more fish than any other river within an hour's drive from Colorado Springs. It is the place to go where you stand the best chance to get into one of the various beautiful species of trout that call the South Platte River home.
If you needing some extra help, Angler's Covey is the only full service fly shop with a permit to guide in Elevenmile Canyon and our Orvis-Endorsed guide would be happy to set up a trip for you.
Elevenmile Canyon is also a great winter fishing destination because it is a tailwater. A tailwater fishery is where a river comes out below a dam; consequently, during the winter months the water temps are just warm enough to stay relatively ice-free all year. If you can find a spot in the upper stretch of the canyon where the winter sun hits the water, you can find feeding fish. This time of year can be the most productive for solitude-seeking anglers who aren't afraid of using light tippets and very small flies.
This is an area we specialize in and are permitted to guide, 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 – Elevenmile Canyon.
Interested in Booking a Trip?
Directions - 37.1 miles - 46 Minutes
- Head west on US-24 W/Cimarron St/Midland Expy toward S 21st St go 36.3 miles.
- Turn left in Lake George on Co Rd 96, go 1.1 mile, follow river into canyon