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The Dream Stream, located between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoirs, remains one of Colorado’s most iconic tailwaters. With its gin-clear water, technical fish, and breathtaking valley views, it’s the proving ground for sight fishing and stealthy presentations.
Dream Stream Fly Fishing Report – August 18, 2025
Where Trout are Smart, the Wind is Mean, and the Anglers are Everywhere
The Dream Stream has a reputation—wild browns, oversized rainbows, and the chance at a cutthroat that looks like it swam out of a postcard. But here’s the reality check: this is one of the most technical, most pressured fisheries in Colorado. You don’t just stroll in with your “home state hero flies” and clean house. You earn every eat.
Flows are sitting at 155 CFS, low enough to make sight-fishing a reality but tricky enough that your approach matters more than your fly choice. Water clarity is excellent, mornings are crisp, and afternoons bring wind that turns perfect drifts into casting lessons.
Crowds? Let’s just say if solitude is your goal, this isn’t your stream. But if you want the chess match—matching hatches, stealthy wading, 6X tippet, and midges so small you’ll need a magnifier—you’re in the right place.
Conditions Summary
- Flow Rate: 155 CFS
- Water Temp: ~58°F mid-morning
- Air Temp: 62–82°F
- Clarity: Crystal clear
- Best Times: 7 AM – 11 AM; last hour of light
- Fishing Pressure: High (weekend zoo, weekday busy)
- Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (technical but rewarding)
Dream Stream Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅✅ | ✅ |
| July | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| August | ✅✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ |
Flies to Try – Dream Stream
Nymphs
- Sparkle Wing RS2 (20–24, gray/olive)
- Barr’s BWO Emerger (18–22)
- Zebra Midge (20–24, black or red)
- Juju Baetis (18–22, gray)
- Pheasant Tail (18–20, unweighted)
Pro Tip: Long leaders and tiny flies win here. Fish eat droppers more than anchors.
Dries
- CDC Biot Trico Spinner (22–24)
- Griffith’s Gnat (22–26)
- Parachute Adams (20–22)
- Elk Hair Caddis (16)
- Ants & Beetles (14–18, bankside afternoons)
Pro Tip: The spinner fall is the Dream’s defining moment. If you’re not out early, you’re missing the show.
Streamers
- Baby Gonga (olive/brown)
- Thin Mint (8–10)
- Slump Buster (6–10, natural)
Note: Low flows = subtle streamers. Forget the circus colors.
Tips for Fishing the Dream Stream
- Seasonal Tip: Sight-fish as much as possible. Blind casting is for tourists.
- Dry Fly: Target the Trico spinner fall with 6X fluoro and long drifts.
- Nymphing: Use euro rigs or long dry-dropper setups; avoid indicators unless flows bump up.
- Streamer Fishing: Best under low light or cloud cover; strip slow through undercut banks.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Meyers SWA Lot | Central, busy, but productive riffles | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Downstream Meadows | Lower pressure, great Trico spinner fall | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Upstream Flats | Clear sight-fishing, technical midge water | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Above Bridge | Deeper slots, bigger rainbows | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
FAQs on Fishing the Dream Stream
Q: Is the Dream Stream worth it in August?
A: Yes—if you like technical sight-fishing, Trico spinners, and trout that grade your presentation like a professor.
Q: What’s the best time of day?
A: Sunrise through the spinner fall (7–11 AM). The last hour of daylight can also produce.
Q: Do I need 6X tippet?
A: Yes. Sometimes 7X. Anything heavier and you’re just lining fish.
Q: What’s the crowd situation?
A: High. Walk further downstream or upstream to dodge the herd.
Q: Can I throw hoppers here?
A: Yes, especially on windy afternoons near grassy banks, but keep expectations realistic.
Q: Is this section good for beginners?
A: No. This is advanced-level water. If you’re new, you’ll learn a lot—but probably the hard way.
