Current Stream Report - Updated on 7/11/2010

Spinney Mountain Ranch (The Dream Stream)

Conditions: Poor to Fair.

Patterns: Trico patterns, particularly spinners, in #20 to 22.  Pale Morning Dun nymphs, adults, and emergers - Barr's Emerger PMD, Hogan's Military Mayfly, Barr's Vis-a-Dun, Hatch Matcher PMD, etc., in #16 to 18.  San Juan Worms #16, cranefly larvae #8-10.  Caddis patterns - larvae, pupae, and adults - in #16 to 20.  Patterns include elk hair caddis (tan or brown), Puterbaugh's foam caddis in tan, black, or olive, Kingrey's foam caddis in same, Barr's Graphic Caddis in tan or olive, latex caddis larva or the Caddis Candy in any shade of green.

The flow at the Dream Stream is appallingly low, and it's putting serious strain on the fishery.  We do not recommend fishing here until the Denver Water Board ups the flow.  We presume that the spit-trickle that is flowing out of Spinney Mountain Reservoir has something to do with the needed repairs in Cheeseman reservoir (on the dam there) - any other excuse will be utterly unacceptable, given the damage this flow can do to the fishery below Spinney Mountain Reservoir.

Please be aware that as of June, Spinney Mountain Ranch State Wildlife Area (SWA) has been renamed to Charlie Meyers SWA in honor of the Denver Post outdoor writer who passed away in February.  Charlie was a tireless champion of our sport and a vigorous defender of this fishery.

Eleven Mile Canyon

Conditions: Good.

Patterns:  Blue winged olive emergers and dries #18 to 22 - Barr's Emerger, RS-2 (gray and olive), Hogan's Better Baetis, Craven's JuJu Baetis, Parachute Adams, Extended Body B.W.O.  PMD nymphs and emergers, like Barr's flashback PMD, Craven's JuJu PMD, Quill body PMD adults, etc., in #16 and 18.  Trico spinners in #20 and #22.  Black RS-2's in #20 to 24.  San Juan Worms #16.  Caddis pupae and adults - Barr's Graphic Caddis (tan or olive) #16, Web Wing Caddis #16-18, Puterbaugh's Foam Caddis (black, tan, or olive) #16-18, etc.

Excellent fishing throughout the canyon.  You want to be on the water around 8am to catch the trico spinner-fall that happens every morning.  Caddis and PMDs can come off throughout the day; be ready to change flies when you see them in the air.  Lots of dry fly fishing to be had!

Deckers

Conditions: Fair to Good.

Patterns: Stonefly nymphs like Pat's Rubber Legs or Tungstones in #10-12; Amy's Ant for the adults (#10 to 12 as well).  Caddis patterns - #16 to 18 in tan or brown for the adults, #16 to 18 Barr's Graphic Caddis, Nitro Caddis #16 to 18, and Caddis Candy (olive or lime) for the larvae.  Pale morning duns are hatching as well; use Barr's Emergers, Hatch Matchers, and PMD nymph patterns in size #16 to 18.

The flows are not 100% certain as the gauge at Deckers is offline, but we think it is around 250cfs.  The water is clear and there's lots of insect activity.  Definitely worth the trip!

Cheesman Canyon

Conditions: Fair to Good.

Patterns:  As Deckers

Hike in to escape the crowds of people that can't get away from their cars.  Fishing is good throughout the canyon with a few more big fish being found than last year.  Worth it to strap on a pack and head upriver!

The Arkansas River

Conditions: Fair to Good.

Patterns: Copper Johns size 14 to 16;  Prince Nymphs and other stonefly patterns #14 to 18.  Rubberleg stonefly nymphs have been especially good.  Blue Winged Olive nymphs, dries, and emergers in #18 to 22.  Small streamers, #8 to 10, like a Barr's Slump Buster, have also been working well.  Caddis larvae, pupae, and adults, in sizes #16 to 18.  Try a tan caddis pupae in the late morning, transitioning to a dry later in the day - don't forget the egg-laying caddis (like a Kingrey's Egg-Layer) in the late afternoon / early evening, as the females return to the water to ovipost.  Terrestrials are also working - small hoppers, ant patterns, or Kaufmann's Stimulators in #8 to 12.

With the flows coming down the hopper-dropper season is upon us.  Water clarity is good and the trout are hungry.  Take a break from the South Platte and give the 'Ark' a try; you won't be disappointed.
 

Spinney Mt. Reservoir

Conditions: OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND FISHING GREAT!

Flies:  Streamers - slump busters, wooly buggers, mini-leeches, sizes #8 to 12; Barr's Meat Whistles, Crayfish and Olive colors, 1/0 - remember, SLOW RETRIEVES on all streamer patterns! - egg patterns #12-18; cranefly larvae #6 to 10 (olive or tan); scuds - orange, tan, gray, olive - #14-18; hare's ear nymphs #14-18; Lightning Bugs in pearl-green or black, #18.  Callibaetis hatches are thick; try a #14 to 16 Schrantz's nymph or CDC callibaetis pattern, or an extended-body adult, if the fish are rising to them.

Fish are starting to move into deeper water as the weather heats up but there is still good fishing to be had from shore for big cruising trout!

Antero Reservoir also open - same quality of fishing, same flies, same techniques - remember there is a strict two fish limit on Antero Reservoir.  No "trading up" on the stringer; report poachers to the Colorado Division of Wildlife!