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The 'Dream Stream'
Part of the South Platte series
by K. Christopherson |
Click
Here to read
more "Fish
Tails" |
What do you get when you combine the waters of
a famous Colorado fishing river with a tailwater and 3.8 miles
of water above another reservoir? You get a great place for fish
to live and breed. This river also turns out to be a Gold Medal
water with the nickname of the "Dream Stream". Where
are we describing? It's the section of the South Platte River
between Spinney and Elevenmile Reservoirs in South Park, also
known as Spinney Mountain State Wildlife Area. This
portion of the South Platte starts below Spinney Reservoir and
meanders through grasslands for about 3.8 miles before entering
Elevenmile Reservoir. The bad news - it can be crowded, cold and
windy. The good news - there are some large trout in this 'dream
stream' and hence the Gold Medal label. Here you can try your
best to catch a large Rainbow or Brown, and even Kokanee in the
fall. What makes this section of the
South Platte so appealing is that you have the tailwaters from
Spinney keeping the water at a reasonably constant temperature
offering year-round fishing. The entire stretch is public water.
Fish come upstream from Elevenmile Reservoir to spawn. The
riverbanks are grassy with no trees to eat your fly. What else
do you want - no wind and warm weather? Well, once in awhile.
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The South Platte here is reasonably
wide and deep with some riffle and seams. |
Since this is a portion of the South
Platte, these trout have learned to be fussy and finicky like
the rest of the trout in this river - how do they convey these
teachings up and down the river, through reservoirs and over
dams? Good question. But you will need to bring your patience
and a selection of flies - dries, nymphs, scuds, attractors,
terrestrials, big/fluffy buggers and in a variety of sizes. The
fish are notorious for hugging the banks and bottom, but will
rise during certain hatches and when the mood strikes them. Most
of all, do not give up. Change flies, have lunch, and keep
trying! Be prepared for wind and sudden
storms. Also, bring any food or refreshment you want as the
closest store is several miles away.
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This gorgeous Rainbow was caught with a
wooly bugger when most fish were rising.
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The Dream Stream has become very
popular in the past few years. There are four parking areas.
Three are reached off the road from County Road 59. One parking area is
right next to the stream on this road. The other two are reached
by turning north after crossing the river. You can also access
the tailwater section by entering Spinney State Park and driving
below the dam (The park is closed during the winter). This will cost you the entrance fee of $4. HINT:
Drive to the least crowded parking area and walk up or
downstream, away from as many people as you can. Typical of most
rivers, the anglers seem to walk to the river and not go much
further than that.
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The good news is that you can fish
from the bank without much fear of catching your fly
in trees. |
How to get there?
 | Take Hwy 24 from Colorado Springs for about
55 miles over Wilkerson Pass. Turn south on County Road 23,
then south on County Road 59, past Spinney Res and turn west
on Rd 59. |
| From South Park, take Hwy 9 south (just
west of Fairplay). At Hartsel, follow Hwy 59 past Spinney
Res. to Hwy 59 |
Resources:
|
 Click
here to buy a NEW Ebook about Trout fishing on
Colorado State lands - includes a lot of info about the many
areas in South Park and reaches of the South Platte
(including the Dream Stream). |
Special Rules:
| Artificial flies or
lures only; catch and release for all species |
Where to stay?
There is camping at Elevenmile Reservoir State Park and a private campground
near the entrance to Spinney Reservoir. Dispersed camping is available in
Pike National Forest to the east.
Info on Other South Platte areas:
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Click
here