Colorado Fishing Reports ยท South Platte Basin
Above Spinney Mountain Reservoir the South Platte winds through the open grassland of South Park. In fall, lake-run browns and kokanee push up from the reservoir.
Looking for the latest South Platte River Above Spinney river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the South Platte River โ Above Spinney.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Above Spinney fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
We have no fresh report for this stretch. Nearby South Park water is running low and very clear, and this reach was low enough this summer to be part of a voluntary closure during the heat.
Expect small midges and BWOs, with lake-run browns moving up from Spinney. Fish 11 am to 3 pm, use long leaders and stay off spawning gravel.
South Park wind can shut down dry fly fishing fast, so carry a nymph rig.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Above Spinney, bring: Zebra Midge #20-22, RS2 Emerger #20-24, JuJu Baetis #20-22, Egg #16-18, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20, Parachute Adams #20-24, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Above Spinney river details
| Access | The Spinney Mountain State Park inlet area (fee) and short state wildlife area stretches. The rest is private ranch land. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,700 to 8,900 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 116 miles, roughly 2 hours 35 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring and fall runs |
| Fish | Brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, plus kokanee in fall |
| Regulations | Special regulations apply. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 10 to 12 ft leaders, 6X fluorocarbon |
| Camping | None on the river. Eleven Mile State Park is close. |
| Kids | Not ideal. Wind, exposed banks and technical fish. |
| Good to know | Afternoon wind is the norm. Bring layers. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Low, icy and very slow.
Spring
Lake-run rainbows and the first BWOs.
Summer
Runoff, then low and warm in dry years.
Fall
Lake-run browns and kokanee.
How to get there
Reach the inlet through Spinney Mountain State Park off County Road 59.