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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.
At-a-Glance Conditions
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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 – technical, but rewarding)
Flow (CFS): ~120
Water Temp: 54–58°F
Air Temp: Low 70s°F afternoons
Clarity: Clear, glassy in the flats
Best Times: 7–11 AM and 4–7 PM
Fishing Pressure: High (especially weekends)
Top Flies: Trico Spinner #22 | RS2 #20 | Amy’s Ant #14
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
Dream Stream Fall Playbook – Tricos, Browns & Pressure Hacks
We dive into September strategies on the Dream Stream—how to target staging browns, crack the trico puzzle, and find quieter water when the parking lots are jammed.
Weather Snapshot
Source: OpenWeather / NOAA
Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Aug | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sept | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | — | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Flies for the Dream Stream - South Platte River
- Dry Fly Setup: CDC Trico Spinner #22 on 12–14’ 6X leader.
- Nymph Setup: RS2 #20 below a Zebra Midge #22, 18” apart, 6X fluoro.
- Streamer Setup: Mini Dungeon or Thin Mint #8, stripped slow along undercuts.
- Pro Rig (Guide’s Pick): Hopper-dropper with Amy’s Ant #14 + RS2 #20 dropper.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Parking | Wading | Crowds | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Meyers SWA | Iconic riffles, staging brown trout runs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Below Spinney | Glassy flats, sight-fishing at its best | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Bridge Crossing | Consistent Trico action, easy access | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Extended FAQ – Dream Stream
Q: When’s the best time to fish the Dream Stream in September?
A: Early mornings for tricos, evenings for terrestrials and staging browns.
Q: What flies are producing now?
A: Trico spinners, RS2 emergers, midges, and ants near banks.
Q: Is the Dream Stream crowded right now?
A: Yes, especially weekends. Go midweek or hike away from parking lots.
Q: Can I catch big browns here in September?
A: Absolutely—this is staging season. Fish deeper runs and undercuts.
Q: Any closures or special regs?
A: Artificial flies/lures only, barbless strongly encouraged.
Q: What’s the water like right now?
A: Clear and low, so stealth and long leaders are mandatory.
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