Dream.jpg
Rob Herrmann Photography

South Platte River: Dream Stream

Difficulty Advanced
Ideal Days To Fish 11/2, 11/3 & 11/4

Weekly Report

Report DateNov. 1, 2023

Note: This will be the last report update that will be provided. We’ve loved every minute of this journey and value the relationships we’ve made and the community that we’ve built but unfortunately, it’s time for us to focus on other priorities. Not much has changed on the Dream since last week. Flows are low (67 cfs) and the angling pressure is heavy. As a result, be prepared for technical fishing and crowded banks. Kokanee numbers are the tend to be well spread out. Covering a lot of ground is key if you’re looking to put a kokanee in the net. Brown trout are illusive and selective. Deep pools and runs are ideal sections to target but if you’ve hit every water column and made a fly change or two, move on and cover new water. With the heavy angling pressure this river receives during the fall, it’s a great time to sample the less desirable water that many anglers overlook. If you come across a kokanee, nymph rigs with worms, eggs, leeches and flashy red nymphs will do the trick. Trout on the other hand, will require more work and experimentation. The patterns mentioned above are classic spawning meals for trout but if you’re not having any luck, switch it up and fish searcher, midge or baetis patterns. Mercury Pheasant Tails, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and JuJu Baetis have been hot in the lead position lately. For your trailer, stick with your confidence midge/baetis emergers. Mercury Midges, Jujubee Midges, Disco Midges, Top Secrets, Chocolate Foam Backs, olive RS2s and Mercury Baetis are good examples. In true fall fashion, trout are extra aggressive right now, making streamers a decent option when the sky is overcast. Either strip your streamer along an undercut bank or strip it erratically through a deep pool/run.

Recommended Flies

River Flow

Flow Region

Detailed River Info

Background:

The Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area, A.K.A “Dream Stream” is a tailwater section of the South Platte River situated between Spinney Reservoir and Eleven Mile Reservoir. The Dream Stream is highly sought after due to its trophy worthy trout, serene views and easy walk-in access. While the cold winter months deter a number of anglers, this stretch receives heavy angling pressure year-round. Fishing during the week or hitting the river early is typically the best way to find serenity. The Dream Stream is known for its healthy population of rainbow and brown trout. During the fall, kokanee salmon run out of Eleven Mile Reservoir and spawn in the Dream Stream, which is unique to only a few rivers in Colorado. During the spring and fall, lake run rainbow and brown trout all make their way into the system and provide anglers the opportunity to land 20 – 30 inch trout.

Angling:

The Dream Stream is a great river to land your personal best trout, but be prepared to work for it. Similar to other tailwaters in Colorado, these trout are incredibly smart and aren’t fooled easily. Clean drifts and presentations are critical and if you’re fishing when flows are low, stealthy fishing becomes much more important. During the warm months, nymph rigs, dry flies, hopper droppers and streamers are all fair game. Slapping hoppers against undercut grass banks is one of our favorite tactics during the summer and early fall. Streamers are a great way to attract large and aggressive trout. During the winter, micro nymph rigs and streamers are the best approach.

River Access

There are a number of ways to get to the Dream Stream. However, If you are coming from Denver, the most efficient route will be to take Highway 285 through Fairplay and continue onto CO-9 South.  Once you have reached Hartsel go east (left) on US-24 E then right on San Juan St., left on CO-RD 59 and finally, right onto Thirty nine mile Road. If you continue on to CO-9 (foregoing US-24 E), there are several parking lots that are visible from the road to the left.