Dream Stream November Fishing Report 2025: Flows, Hatches, Big Trout Tips

Updated: November 17, 2025
Flow: 120 to 130 CFS
Conditions: Clear water, light to moderate crowds, midges and BWOs dominant

Two paragraph narrative:

The Dream Stream has settled into its late November personality. Flows in the low one hundred range keep the structure perfect, with healthy seams, defined buckets, and clear sight lines through the flats. The lake run browns have largely wrapped up, leaving behind resident rainbows, browns, and a few straggler kokanee drifting between deeper buckets. Fish are concentrated and technical, but absolutely willing if you approach with stealth, small bugs, and good angles.

The weather window is classic South Park. Cold mornings, mid day bumps into the 40s and low 50s, and wind that can either help or ruin a drift depending on the hour. Expect clearer water each day, pods of fish in obvious winter water, and short feeding windows around midday when temps stabilize. This is the time of year where good drifts matter more than miles covered.

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Conditions Summary

Flow Rate: 120 to 130 CFS
Water Temperature: low to mid 40s during the midday window
Air Temperature: low 20s to upper 40s depending on the hour
Clarity: clear
Crowds: moderate
Best Times: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fly Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐⭐⭐
Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer: ⭐⭐⭐

Seasonal Notes

• Post spawn browns are sliding back toward Elevenmile
• Redds still present; avoid all cleared gravel
• Resident trout are feeding consistently mid day
• Wind patterns shift quickly in the basin
• Flows may taper as temps drop deeper into winter

Five Day Weather Forecast

Dream Stream Corridor (Spinney to Elevenmile)

Day 1: High 50, low 28, partly cloudy, breezy mid day
Day 2: High 47, low 25, increasing clouds
Day 3: High 44, low 22, light snow possible
Day 4: High 40, low 18, colder with sunbreaks
Day 5: High 38, low 16, mostly dry and cold

Dream Stream Hatch Chart

Current Month: November

Primary Hatch: Midges

• Larva, pupa, emergers, adults
• Colors: black, brown, gray, olive
• Sizes: 20 to 24

Secondary Hatch: Blue Wing Olives

• Nymphs and emergers especially on overcast afternoons
• Colors: olive, brown olive
• Sizes: 18 to 22

Tertiary Activity

• Trico remnants on warm still days
• Eggs and worms drifting from post spawn activity

Pro Guide Rig

(One setup, guide based, fish it everywhere)

Leader: 9 ft fluorocarbon to indicator
Tippet: 4x to the lead fly, 5x or 6x to the dropper
Weight: One very small split shot 6 inches above lead fly

Lead Fly: Size 16 soft pink egg or size 16 red worm
Dropper Fly: Size 22 chocolate foam wing midge

How to fish it: Short, tight drifts from above the lane. Keep the rig barely ticking the bottom and reset often. Focus on winter buckets, drop offs, and soft inside bends.

Need a Guide? Think GuideBanK. Learn More

Top 10 Flies

1. Mercury Midge 20 to 22
2. Top Secret Midge 20 to 24
3. Zebra Midge 20 to 22
4. RS2 20 to 22
5. Juju Baetis 18 to 20
6. CDC BWO 18 to 20
7. Mole Fly 20 to 22
8. Egg Pattern 14 to 16
9. San Juan Worm 14 to 16
10. Small Leech 8 to 10

Tips Fly Fishing The Dream Stream

Seasonal Tip
Think winter. Fish are holding in deeper green water and moving very little to feed.

Dry Fly Tips

• Use long leaders and single flies
• Look for quiet banks and slow slicks between wind pulses

Nymphing Tips

• Lead with eggs or small baetis
• Drop a tiny midge on 6x in clear water
• Cover water but don’t wander blindly

Streamer Tips

• Slow and low retrieves
• Focus on deeper bends and shadows
• Compact leeches outproduce big patterns

Access Points

1. Spinney Access Bend

Why Fish Here: Defined seams and riffle to run structure
Crowds: Moderate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Notes: Walk ten minutes past the first obvious holes for fewer footprints.

2. Big Meadow Bends

Why Fish Here: Subtle undercuts and soft transitions
Crowds: Variable
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Notes: Sight fishing is excellent during calmer mid day windows.

3. Elevenmile Side

Why Fish Here: Wintering water and consistent depth
Crowds: Light to moderate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Notes: Best spot for the pro rig; deeper tailouts hold the most fish.

Local Regulations And Landowner Notes

• Artificial flies and lures only
• Redd protection is critical
• Stay inside posted access corridors
• Handle post spawn fish gently

FAQ

Q: What flows are ideal right now
A: 80 to 130 CFS is excellent and current levels are perfect.

Q: Are the runs over
A: The main push is done; focus on resident trout.

Q: Do I need 6x
A: Yes in slow clear water and when fishing size 22 to 24 midges.

Q: When is the best window
A: Late morning through mid afternoon.

Q: Can beginners fish this
A: Yes with help, but this is technical water.

Q: Are streamers still worth it
A: Yes, but only small leeches fished slowly.

Stop Here After The River

Highline Cafe and Saloon, Hartsel

A true South Park stop. Ranch hands, locals, tired anglers, strong coffee, and the kind of green chile you swear you’ve had before but never quite this good. Order the buffalo burger or the chicken fried steak and shake off the wind before heading home.