Where to Go South Platte River – Elevenmile Canyon

Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily

Report Date: 10/3/2026

Conditions:

Streamflows releasing out of Eleven Mile Reservoir into the canyon are sitting at 69 CFS. Water clarity is exceptionally clear, and water temperatures are hovering in the upper 40s to low 50s. The trout are well established in their classic tailwater holding zones, primarily scattered through deeper boulder pools, soft seam margins, and gentle tailouts. In these low, transparent conditions, fish are sharp eyed and spook easily at shadows, bank movement, or heavy indicator splashes.

Guide Reports:

Hopper Juan Ramirez - 9-23-2026

Lots of grass drifting. Good Trico hatch today. Picky fish. Challenging fishing but very rewarding.

Joshua Heney - 9-14-2026

Great trico and blue wing hatch pretty slow after that

Weather:

Short Term -

The short-term atmospheric pattern delivers crisp, stable autumn weather throughout Park County. Cold mornings starting in the upper 20s and low 30s give way to sunny, pleasant afternoon highs near the mid 60s. Wind within the granite canyon walls remains generally light to moderate, though occasional canyon drafts can build in the early afternoon, pushing fall foliage into the water along slow bank seams.

Long Term -

Heading further into October, passing cold fronts will drop afternoon highs into the upper 40s and 50s while increasing cloud cover. Overcast conditions will extend midday feeding windows significantly. As nighttime temperatures consistently stay well below freezing, water temperatures will gradually drop, causing trout to move out of shallower riffle edges and consolidate into the deepest winter pools and slow granite troughs.

Hatches: 

Tiny midges remain the primary food source throughout the canyon, hatching consistently from morning into late afternoon. On cooler, cloud-covered afternoons, fall Blue Winged Olive hatches emerge along slower glides and foam lines. Residual late-season terrestrial activity, such as small ants and beetles, can still draw opportunistic strikes near overhanging granite walls and grassy banks during warm, sunny middays.

Tactics:

High precision is required at sub-70 CFS flows. Sight nymphing with long 9 to 12 foot leaders tapered down to 6X or 7X fluorocarbon tippet is the go to approach. Run a two or three fly nymph rig starting with a subtle, non flashy lead fly such as a small worm pattern, scud, or slim attractor to get deep, followed by tiny midge or baetis emerger trailers drifting freely in the water column. During afternoon hatches, subtle dry dropper setups fished along soft current edges yield excellent surface action.

Tips:

Use the canyon granite boulders and natural bank cover to mask your profile. Staying low prevents fish from seeing you against the sky. Ditch large plastic bobbers in favor of micro yarn indicators or a small dab of strike putty, and keep split shot down to tiny micro sizes to avoid disturbing the water on entry. Above all, maintain a drag-free drift, as heavily targeted canyon trout will immediately reject any presentation pulling across micro currents.

This is an area where 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)