Current Stream Report - Updated on 5/26/2008

Spinney Mountain Ranch (The Dream Stream)

Conditions: Fair to Good.

Patterns: Small midges - Rojos #20-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Brassie #20-24. Midge dries like Griffith's Gnats in size #20-24, as well as small (#22-24) Parachute Adams. Pheasant Tails and other baetis nymphs in similar sizes.  Tailwater Tinys in olive or golden, #20 and #22 on the dropper. Copper Johns in #18 to 22.  Occasional dun-colored caddis dries in size #18 and tan or bright green caddis larvae in #16 to 18.

The flows at Spinney Mountain Ranch continue to bounce up and down, but overall the fishing is good.  Currently the flows are low and sight-fishing is the key to success.  Do not be afraid to change up your weight and your flies.  Later in the day, if the wind is not blowing, some dry-fly fishing can be had as the caddis and baetis get more active.

Eleven Mile Canyon

Conditions: Fair to Good.

Patterns: Caddis dries, #16 and 18, green caddis larvae in #16 and 18.  Bead-head pheasant tails, #18 and 20.  Parachute Adams #20 and 22, and blue-winged olive like Craven's Ju Ju Baetis or Barr's Emergers in size #20 and 22.  Black and cream midge larva patterns in #20 to 24.

Fishing can be excellent throughout the day; hatches are often intermittent but if you do a little walking you've got a good chance of finding rising fish.  Fish are scattered throughout the riffles and pools, so there's no shortage of good water; you may just have to cover a lot of terrain to be most effective.

Deckers

Conditions: Good.

Patterns: Midge larvae - red, black, olive in sizes 20-24. Try small, flashy patterns. Also baetis nymphs and dries in size #20-24. Small golden stonefly nymphs like a Befus' Wired Stone, size 14-16, make a good top fly.  Caddis have been hatching frequently;  try an Elk Hair or Foam-bodied caddis (like Kingrey's Better Foam Caddis) in size #16 or 18.  Also bright green or tan caddis larvae or pupae in sizes #16 to 18.

Fishing has been good - lots of caddis action in the early to mid-afternoons.  Water levels are fluctuating a lot, so the fish may move in and out of an area from day to day.  Look for fish along the edges and cover lots of water to find rising fish.

Cheesman Canyon

Conditions: Fair.

Patterns: Midge larvae - red, black, olive in sizes 20-24. Try small, flashy patterns. Also baetis nymphs and dries in size #20-24. Small golden stonefly nymphs like a Befus' Wired Stone, size 14-16, make a good top fly.

Fishing is a big slower than near Deckers, as the water is still warming, but the fishing is improving.

The Arkansas River

Conditions: Blown Out

Patterns: Copper Johns size 14 to 16, hopper patterns, caddis larvae, pupae, and dries, size 16.

Not worth going unless you're there for something else anyway; fish will be tight to the banks seeking shelter from the current, so don't waste your time casting to the middle of the river.  Extreme caution while wading is essential!

Spinney Mt. Reservoir

Conditions: Great!

Patterns:  Olive / Rust / Black streamers size 4 to 8, egg patterns, chironomid pupae #12-18.

With the water warming there are tons of fish crusing the shorelines and eating frequently;  several anglers have reported fish approaching 30 inches in length!  For best results slowly strip streamers or suspend an egg / chironomid combo under an indicator.  Be aware that boats must be inspected by the Parks officers before being allowed to go onto the Reservoir -- they are looking for zebra mussels.  ALL boats are subject to this inspection.