Description
The 5-mile section of the South Platte River between Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Elevenmile Reservoir is affectionately known as the “dream stream” for its excellent trout fishing and abundant hatches. The lower 80 percent (or so) runs through the Spinney Mountain State Wildlife Area, and the rest is property of the city of Aurora (but it’s all open to the public).
It is a classic tailwater flowing through mostly open prairie. Small nymph patterns and thin tippets are usually necessary to fool these skittish fish.
It’s not a place that 3 weight rods fare well, for a couple of reasons. These hefty fish garner more respect than that, and the constant wind makes a stouter stick necessary. Five or 6 weights are the norm, and 7 or 8 weights become handy when the big lake fish run up.
In the spring, the Elevenmile Reservoir rainbows and cutthroat will run up to spawn, and in the fall, it’s the browns and kokanee salmon.
Even when it’s not spawning season, the fish average a good size. A 12-incher is an awfully small catch in this section.
It is relatively small water, running at between 100 and 200 cubic feet per second in normal flows.
The “dream stream” is nobody’s secret, and festival fishing is almost a guarantee anytime from spring through fall. Fishing in the winter is a good plan if you’d rather avoid the crowds.
Fish populations have recovered nicely since taking a dip in the 1990s. Fish habitat improvements coupled with heavy stocking and increased regulation have brought this section back to its once-glorious form.
No live bait is allowed and it’s catch-and-release only for all fish.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.