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Rob Herrmann Photography

South Platte River: Eleven Mile Canyon

Difficulty Intermediate
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. Eleven Mile Canyon flows are holding steady around 58 cfs. At this level, flows are below the ideal range and slightly below the historical average. As a result, trout are skittish and selective, so be prepared for technical fishing. Nymph rigs and dry double droppers with small midge and baetis offerings are producing the best results. Nymph rigs are ideal when fishing deeper pools and runs whereas dry droppers come in handy when targeting trout in shallow water or sections with heavy underwater vegetation. For your lead fly, go with a JuJu Baetis, red Zebra Midge, Demon Midge, Miracle Nymph or Bling Midge. Below one of those patterns, trail a Mercury Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, Top Secret, WD-40, black/chocolate Foam Back Emerger, RS2 or Mercury Baetis. Eggs, leeches, worms, Flashback Pheasant Tails and Rainbow Warriors are good slumpbusters if you don’t see action from a midge/baetis combo. Aside from nymphing, dry fly action has improved this week thanks to warmer weather. Daily cloud coverage will work in your favor as well. While midge hatches will present sporadic dry fly opportunities throughout the day, zero in on the early afternoon BWO hatch.

Recommended Flies

River Flow

Flow Region

Detailed River Info

Background:

The Eleven Mile section of the South Platte is a gorgeous stretch of river that offers anglers amazing fishing year round. The canyon experiences some great hatches throughout the warmer months and because it's a tail water, it can be fished in the winter. As you explore this river you'll notice that it has blended characteristics of the Cheesman Canyon and Deckers sections of the South Platte. While the best fishing usually occurs within two miles of the dam, the road that parallels the river makes it easy to jump in and out of the car to explore different sections. Eleven Mile has quickly become one of our favorite places to fish.

Angling:

The Eleven Mile stretch of the South Platte offers a wide range of features that caters to any style of fly fisherman. The canyon sections of the river provide deep pools for the streamer junkie and the nymph fisherman who likes to sling around a lot of weight and drift flies down deep to try and catch a picture worthy fish. Other sections of the river remind us more of Deckers with medium depth riffles, runs and tail outs. Considering this section is a tail water, the standard South Platte flies are the way to go. Classic examples are size 18 - 24 RS2's, Top Secrets and Zebra Midges. Other than the beauty, our favorite part about this river is it's ease of access and the ability to fish 2-4 sections in a day. Our favorite thing to do is drive up close to the damn, fish a quarter mile section, jump back in the car and move down river until we find another quality section to fish. No need to haul around a big back pack either! With the road so close to the river, you can access your lunch and river beers with ease! 

River Access

The Eleven Mile  section of the South Platte river is easy accessed from County Road 96. County Road 96 is a dirt road that starts in Lake George and runs along the river up to the dam. The road consists of pull-offs and designated parking lots making it easy to jump in and out of the car to fish different sections of the river. One thing to be aware of is the $9 entrance fee that needs to be paid to enter the canyon. Plan on bringing a check or cash to pay this fee.