Grape Creek

General Overview

Grape Creek is one of our favorite local small-water options and provides a dramatically different experience from the Arkansas. This is technical water where stealth, presentation and reading holding water are generally much more important than complicated rigging.

Flows below DeWeese are controlled by reservoir releases and can change significantly depending on irrigation demand. As we move into early fall, cooling water temperatures are improving the overall fishing window and making this an excellent time to explore Grape Creek. Depth, moving water, undercut banks and shaded structure remain focal points, but don't overlook shallower riffles and transitional water when insects are active.

Conditions

Current Flow: 5-23 cfs *Surging flows now, so be sure flows are above 15cfs before you fish
Water Level: Low / Variable
Clarity: Clear
Primary Activity: Caddis, BWOs, Midges & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

Keep it simple. Single dries and light dry/dropper rigs are generally our preferred approach. Caddis, small attractor dries and terrestrials make excellent lead flies. If fish aren't consistently looking up, trail a Caddis Pupa, small BWO nymph, Perdigon or Midge pattern. Ants, Beetles and small Hoppers remain very relevant during early fall, particularly on warm afternoons, while BWOs should become increasingly important as temperatures cool.

Longer leaders, light tippet and a careful approach are important. On water like Grape Creek, your first presentation into a good piece of holding water is often your best one.

Middle Fork of the South Platte

General Overview

The Middle Fork of the South Platte provides a completely different experience from the tailwaters further downstream. This is classic South Park freestone fishing, with a mix of riffles, bends, deeper runs, undercut banks and beaver-influenced habitat.

Conditions on the Middle Fork can fluctuate considerably with irrigation demand and seasonal weather, so flow and temperature should dictate your approach. Early fall can provide some excellent opportunities as cooler water temperatures expand the productive fishing window and trout become increasingly active. Low, clear water still rewards stealth and careful presentations, but don't overlook midday fishing as cool nights begin knocking water temperatures down.

Conditions

Current Flow @ Alma: 5 cfs
Water Level: Low / Seasonal
Clarity: Generally Clear
Primary Activity: Tricos, Caddis, BWOs, Midges, Hoppers & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

Dry/dropper should remain a focal approach during early fall. Start with a Hopper, small Chubby-style attractor, Caddis or other buoyant dry and trail a Caddis Pupa, Pheasant Tail, Perdigon or small BWO pattern. Tricos remain important during the morning window, particularly on calm, sunny days. When you see consistent surface activity, be prepared to ditch the dropper and fish Trico adults and spinners to actively feeding fish. Terrestrials remain very much in play, especially Hoppers, Ants and Beetles around grassy banks and undercut structure.

As temperatures continue cooling, expect BWOs to become increasingly important, particularly during cloudy or unsettled weather. This is also water where covering ground pays off. Rather than spending excessive time on one fish or run, focus on high-percentage holding water and keep moving.

Dream Stream — Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area

General Overview

The Dream Stream needs very little introduction. The South Platte between Spinney and Eleven Mile Reservoirs is one of Colorado's best-known tailwaters, capable of producing exceptional trout and seasonal lake-run fish. CPW manages this section as artificial flies and lures only, with all fish immediately returned to the water. The tradeoff is fishing pressure. These trout see a tremendous number of anglers, making presentation, appropriate tippet, depth and understanding the current insect lifecycle much more important than simply having the right fly.

Early fall is an exciting time on this section. Tricos remain an important component of the morning fishing, while BWOs and Midges become increasingly significant as temperatures cool. Terrestrials remain relevant, and larger food sources can become increasingly interesting as we progress deeper into fall.

Conditions

Current Flow: 95 cfs
Water Level: Controlled Tailwater
Clarity: Clear
Primary Activity: Tricos, BWOs, Midges, Caddis, Scuds & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

Technical nymphing remains the most consistent approach. Double-nymph rigs, whether under an indicator or fished tightline, allow you to precisely control depth and presentation through the deeper runs and feeding lanes. Build your subsurface selection around Trico nymphs and emergers, small Caddis Pupa, BWOs, Midges and Scuds. Adjust depth and weight before assuming your fly selection is wrong.

During strong Trico activity, the game can change quickly. Watch for fish beginning to consistently feed near the surface and be prepared with Trico adults, emergers and spinners. As early fall progresses, keep an increasingly close eye on BWO activity, particularly during cloudy weather. Small BWO emergers and adults can produce some excellent technical sight-fishing opportunities. Terrestrials remain worth carrying, especially Ants and small Hoppers during warmer afternoons.

Above all, don't crowd other anglers or repeatedly pound resting fish. There's plenty of water to explore, and covering ground can often be more productive than joining the crowd around a handful of obvious fish.

South Platte River Elevenmile Canyon

General Overview

Elevenmile Canyon is one of the most consistent and technically rewarding sections of the South Platte. Cold water released from Eleven Mile Reservoir provides a productive year-round tailwater fishery surrounded by some spectacular granite canyon scenery.

This is heavily pressured water, and the trout behave accordingly. CPW specifically describes these fish as discerning because of the popularity and accessibility of the fishery, recommending light tippet, small flies and precise presentations. The regulated section extends approximately 3.8 miles downstream from Eleven Mile Dam and is artificial flies and lures only and catch-and-release for trout.

Early fall is an excellent time in the canyon. Morning Tricos remain relevant, while cooling temperatures and shorter days begin shifting more attention toward BWOs and Midges.

Conditions

Current Flow: 103 cfs
Water Level: Controlled Tailwater
Clarity: Clear
Primary Activity: Tricos, BWOs, Midges & Caddis

Suggested Methods

We're leaning heavily on technical nymphing and precise dry-fly presentations in the canyon. For the subsurface game, concentrate on Trico nymphs and emergers, small Caddis Pupa, BWO nymphs and emergers, Midges and other appropriately sized South Platte patterns. Double-nymph rigs under a small indicator are extremely effective, but tightline techniques can be equally productive in the right water.

Pay close attention to depth and weight. These fish see plenty of flies, and getting a natural presentation at exactly the right depth is generally more important than constantly rotating through patterns. During morning Trico activity, keep a dedicated dry-fly setup ready. When fish begin feeding consistently on top, Trico adults and spinners on long leaders and light tippet can produce excellent sight-fishing opportunities.

BWOs become increasingly important from this point forward, particularly during cloudy or unsettled weather. Watch closely for subtle rises and fish beginning to shift into shallower feeding lanes. The canyon rewards anglers who slow things down. Read the water carefully, identify feeding fish and make deliberate presentations rather than simply covering every piece of water with the same rig.

Fourmile Creek

General Overview

Fourmile provides another interesting small-water opportunity close to Cañon City. Conditions remain low and clear, but the transition into early fall brings increasingly favorable water temperatures and a much better overall environment for exploring our lower-elevation small streams.

Pocket water, undercut banks, shaded edges, deeper plunge pools and areas with better current are all worth your attention. This is a fishery where staying mobile and covering water generally beats camping on one spot.

Conditions

Current Flow: 1 cfs
Water Level: VERY Low
Clarity: Clear
Primary Activity: Caddis, Mayflies, BWOs & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

Dry/dropper is our focal method. Start with a buoyant attractor, Caddis or terrestrial and trail a lightly weighted Caddis Pupa, Mayfly nymph or small BWO pattern. There isn't much reason to overload these fish with weight. Concentrate instead on a clean, natural drift through relatively shallow holding water.

If you begin seeing fish consistently looking up, cut the dropper off and fish the dry. Caddis, small Mayflies, Ants and Beetles can all be productive, while small Hoppers remain very relevant during warm afternoons. As temperatures cool, begin incorporating more small BWO nymphs and dries, particularly during cloudy periods.

Beaver Creek

General Overview

Beaver Creek is classic small-stream fishing where presentation and approach are everything. The drainage remains low, but cooler early-fall weather generally creates a much more favorable fishing window than we experienced during the heat of summer. Continue to pay attention to available habitat and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on fish concentrated in extremely shallow water.

Conditions

Recent Observed Flow @ Beaver Creek Cemetary: 10 cfs
Water Level: Low
Clarity: Clear
Primary Activity: Caddis, Mayflies, Midges, BWOs & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

A single dry or very light dry/dropper should cover most situations. Small Caddis, attractor dries, Ants and Beetles are excellent surface choices, with small Hoppers still worth carrying during warm afternoons. Below the surface, focus on small Caddis Pupa, Mayfly nymphs, BWOs and Midges.

At these flows, stealth becomes extremely important. Stay low, minimize false casting and don't repeatedly pound small pockets. Cooling temperatures are a positive, but low water still means fish can be exceptionally spooky.

Badger Creek

General Overview

Badger Creek is another exploratory small-water option and can be a fun change of pace when conditions line up. This is a beautiful Spring Creek very unique water!

Like much of our smaller water, expect relatively low and clear conditions during the early-fall window. Cooler temperatures are improving the overall fishing window, but stealth remains critical. Fish the best available habitat and don't overlook surprisingly small pockets that provide depth, shade or structure.

Conditions

** Level:** Low
Clarity: Clear
Primary Activity: Caddis, Mayflies, BWOs, Midges & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

Keep the rig light, simple and stealthy. Dry/dropper is a great searching approach, but we're perfectly happy fishing a single dry when fish are willing to look up. Caddis, Mayflies, Ants, Beetles and small Hoppers should continue to cover the surface game.

Below the surface, concentrate on small Caddis Pupa, Mayfly nymphs and increasingly BWO and Midge patterns as early fall progresses. Low, clear conditions make presentation far more important than having a huge selection of flies.

Hayden Creek

General Overview

Hayden Creek, just south of Coaldale, is one of the more unique small-water fisheries in the region. This high-gradient drainage offers classic pocket-water fishing in a beautiful mountain setting and rewards anglers who are willing to stay mobile and make accurate presentations into relatively small pieces of holding water.

Hayden Creek also has an important fisheries history. The drainage was home to a genetically unique population of cutthroat trout that was threatened by the 2016 Hayden Pass Fire, leading Colorado Parks and Wildlife to undertake an extensive rescue and restoration effort. Because of that history, we encourage anglers to approach this fishery with an especially strong conservation mindset.

Early fall can be an excellent window on this higher-elevation drainage. Cooler water temperatures and active trout make it a great place to simplify your approach and enjoy classic small-stream fishing before colder fall weather arrives.

Conditions

Water Level: Low / Seasonal
Clarity: Generally Clear
Primary Activity: Caddis, Mayflies, BWOs & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

This is quintessential small-water dry fly and dry/dropper fishing. A small attractor dry, Caddis or terrestrial gives you a great searching pattern, with a lightly weighted Mayfly nymph, Caddis Pupa or small attractor nymph underneath when necessary. Spend less time changing flies and more time thinking about approach, presentation and holding water. Pocket water, plunge pools, undercut banks and areas where faster current meets softer water should receive most of your attention.

With lower early-fall flows, keep your rig increasingly simple. A single dry can be all you need, particularly when Caddis or terrestrial activity has fish looking toward the surface. Ants and Beetles remain excellent fall patterns, and small BWOs become increasingly relevant as temperatures cool. Keep fish handling to an absolute minimum.

Hardscrabble Creek

General Overview

Hardscrabble Creek near Wetmore gives anglers another interesting small-water option east of the Wet Mountains. The drainage transitions through a variety of terrain, and much of the surrounding land is privately owned, making access awareness every bit as important as fishing technique. Publicly available information for the Wetmore area specifically notes substantial private ownership around Hardscrabble Creek.

When legal access and conditions line up, approach Hardscrabble as technical small water. Early-fall flows can remain limited, and fish will concentrate around the best combinations of depth, current, shade and cover. Cooler temperatures are a significant improvement over summer and can expand the productive fishing window.

Conditions

Water Level: Low / Seasonal
Clarity: Generally Clear
Primary Activity: Caddis, Mayflies, BWOs, Midges & Terrestrials

Suggested Methods

We're keeping things light and simple on Hardscrabble. Start with a single dry or short dry/dropper rig featuring a Caddis, small attractor or terrestrial on top. If you need to get subsurface, a small Caddis Pupa, Mayfly nymph, BWO, Midge or lightly weighted attractor should be plenty. Heavy rigs aren't necessary on this type of water and can make presentation more difficult.

Ants, Beetles and small Hoppers remain relevant during the early-fall window, especially on warmer afternoons. Fish them tight to banks, vegetation and shaded structure and make your first cast count. As temperatures continue cooling, gradually shift more attention toward BWOs and Midges, particularly during cloudy weather.

Most importantly on all small water venues, know where you're fishing. Respect private property and posted access, and don't assume that a stream crossing a road means the surrounding water is open to public fishing.

LEARN TO FISH SMALL WATER

Small-water fly fishing is one of the best ways to sharpen the fundamentals that make you a better angler everywhere. Success on these intimate fisheries is less about complicated rigs and more about stealth, accuracy, presentation and learning to quickly identify high-percentage holding water. Understanding how trout use pocket water, undercut banks, plunge pools, structure and current seams can completely change the way you approach a stream. Our guides specialize in hands-on instruction designed to teach you not simply what to fish, but how to read the water, approach it effectively and understand why a particular presentation works.

Whether you want to improve your dry/dropper game, become more accurate in tight casting situations, learn to fish terrestrials effectively, or simply become better at finding trout on smaller water, a day with one of our guides can dramatically shorten the learning curve.

Slow down. Read the water. Make the first cast count.

Call us to discuss guided instruction at (719) 371-4530