Colorado Dreaming
When most anglers picture a dream fishery, they imagine clear water, prolific hatches, large populations of trout, and a smattering of trophies all wrapped into a beautiful four-season setting. Believe it or not, this fishery exists. Just an hour and a half west of Colorado Springs in the giant valley of South Park lies a section of the South Platte River aptly referred to as the Dream Stream. This tailwater winds below Spinney Mountain Reservoir for 51/2 miles before emptying into Elevenmile Reservoir, and offers some of the finest fishing in the state.
Rainbows (the most common), cuttbows, browns, and Snake River cutthroats all call the Dream Stream home. Browns, the true gems of the river, are found throughout the year in strong numbers but are especially common in the fall. These aggressive fish have breathtaking colors and markings.
Trout migrate up from the deep waters of Elevenmile Reservoir into this section of the river to spawn and find suitable habitat to feed and reside during the summer and winter months. The spring season brings up rainbows, cutthroats, and cuttbows, while the fall draws in the browns. The summer and winter months offer a variety of all four species. The Dream Stream has healthy aquatic life and great hatches that support the large migratory trout.
Because the distance between the two reservoirs is minimal, anglers can cover the water thoroughly for these magnificent trout. The river is relatively narrow, 20 to 30 feet wide in most places, and the flows rarely exceed 300 cubic feet per second (cfs), making it perfect for easy wading and challenging sight-fishing.
Changing Courses
For years the Dream Stream had natural flows, long riffled runs, and large dry-fly eddies that provided great year-round habitat for resident river fish. However, due to severe erosion through the stream’s natural course, the Colorado Division of Wildlife erected man-made structure in 1993—immediately downstream of Spinney Dam—followed by increased instream construction through November 2004 on the upper section of the river. Today, the only stretch of the Dream Stream that flows naturally is 11/2 miles of its lower section pouring into Elevenmile Reservoir. The upper 4 miles below Spinney Mountain Reservoir contains stream restoration work including weirs, logjams, boulder structures, and willow trees lining the river. While all this is intended to stop erosion, many anglers have mixed emotions about the “improvements.” Because the bottom of the river has changed and the water surrounding the new structure is slower, most trout retreat to the reservoir when the flows are low. The remaining trout are in a handful of pocketwater areas.
These structure and flow changes have advantages and disadvantages. The downside is fish have more difficulty finding cover, oxygen, and food during low-flow periods, when the water can dip below 50 cfs as regulated by the Aurora, Colorado, water board.
The advantage is that when flows increase, regardless of the time of year, more fish are drawn into the river, where they hold around the instream structure. Added structure also provides enough cover to keep the trout in the waterway for longer periods before they retreat to the reservoir.
Timing the Migration
Flow fluctuations have opened new doors to fly fishers chasing the seasonal runs of giant trout from Elevenmile Reservoir. During the spring, summer, and fall, this section of the South Platte sees some of the highest flows of the year, creating great holding and staging water for migratory trout to find shelter, food, and spawning areas. During high flows, deep runs and the cobblestone river bottom combine to create a sanctuary for trophy trout. This occurrence brings in some of the largest trout in the country, ranging up to 10 or 15 pounds. Knowing when to be on the water is the key to success.
Migratory prime time on the Dream Stream happens two times a year: late March through early April and mid October through November. Early April is the best time for pursuing large rainbows, cutthroats, and cuttbows, while late November is ideal for trophy browns. But timing your trip for when fish are migrating in large numbers can be tough.
Trout move into the river when the water reaches a desirable temperature and flow. Temperature is important because when flows remain low, the largest trout still enter the system to reside or spawn when it warms to the right degree. Low-flow migration peaks when temperatures reach the low 40s to low 50s in spring. In the fall, temperatures in the high 40s to mid 50s are ideal. Increased water flow also encourages trout to enter the river, supplying cover, oxygen, and abundant amounts of food.
Pre- and Postspawn
When trophy trout first enter this section of the river, they normally don’t start spawning right away. Instead, they stage in deep runs waiting for the perfect water flow and temperature. During this prespawn period, the trout focus on feeding in their new environment.
After the fish spawn and rest, the postspawn period can bring a lot of activity. The trout have lost weight because they have spent energy spawning, and the females have dropped their eggs. The trout stage in the deep runs to feed before returning to Elevenmile Reservoir. These fish are extremely hungry and not particularly shy.
Summer and Winter
Summer and winter have fewer migratory trout but produce some of the most exiting and rewarding days, especially during bright sunny conditions. The main draw is the visual fishing the river offers. From May through September, dry-fly action can be mind-blowing in high-flow conditions, with 20- to 30-fish pods sipping Tricos, PMDs, midges, and Baetis. Also watch for explosions in fast riffle water, where trout aggressively smash caddis and charge struggling hoppers blown to the river’s edge.
Winter fly fishing in Colorado can be bone-chilling, but some of the most comfortable winter days I’ve had fly fishing have been on the Dream Stream. Because the fishery is at an elevation of 8,700 feet and not in a shaded canyon, the sun warms the air and water relatively quickly. The water during the winter is normally low and clear, so a stealthy approach is crucial. The real treat is the holdover spawners from the fall, as well as a fresh run of large rainbows,
cutthroats, and cuttbows from the reservoir toward the end of winter.
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
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