Colorado Fishing Reports ยท South Platte Basin
The Dream Stream is the short, winding meadow section of the South Platte between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoirs in South Park. It is famous for big lake-run trout in spring and fall and for kokanee salmon in autumn.
Looking for the latest Dream Stream 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 Dream Stream.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Dream Stream fishing report
Updated November 6, 2026.
Flows are holding near 100 cfs, a comfortable late-fall level that fills the cutbanks and deep bends. The kokanee run is winding down, but some salmon are still in the river along with lake-run browns and resident rainbows.
Trout are mostly eating below the surface: loose eggs from the spawn, small midges and fall Baetis nymphs. Sparse BWOs can bring a few fish up on overcast afternoons in the soft inside glides.
There is no cover on the open prairie, so stay low on the high banks and let the afternoon breeze hide your casts. Expect 12 to 18 mph wind after midday and weekend crowds. A 10 to 12 ft leader to 5X or 6X fluorocarbon handles the pushier seams.
Many fish are on redds. Do not target spawning fish and avoid wading through shallow gravel tailouts.
Load your fly box
Before you head to the Dream Stream, bring: Sunny Side Up, Flashtail Mini Egg, Squirmy Wormie, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-24, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Zebra Midge #20-24, Woolly Bugger #6-10, Slump Buster #6-8.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Dream Stream river details
| Access | Walk-in from the Spinney Mountain State Wildlife Area parking lots below Spinney Dam. Open meadow banks, easy walking. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,600 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 110 miles, roughly 2 hours from our Centennial shop via US-285 through Fairplay |
| Season | All year, weather permitting. Spring and fall spawning runs are the peak. |
| Fish | Brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, plus kokanee salmon in the fall |
| Regulations | Catch and release, artificial flies and lures only (Gold Medal Water). A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 10 to 12 ft leaders, 5X to 6X fluorocarbon |
| Camping | Not at the river. Eleven Mile State Park, just downstream, has campgrounds. |
| Kids | Yes. Flat, open ground, but bring layers for wind and cold. |
| Good to know | There is no shade or cover, and afternoon wind is the norm. Avoid fish on redds during the spring and fall runs. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold and windy, with fish holding in the deepest bends. Small midges and eggs on calm, sunny days.
Spring
Rainbows and cutthroats run up from Eleven Mile. Eggs, worms and small midges in the deeper runs.
Summer
Caddis, PMDs and tricos with long leaders and light tippet.
Fall
Lake-run browns and kokanee. Eggs, BWO nymphs and streamers, with extra care around spawning fish.
How to get there
Park at the Spinney Mountain State Wildlife Area lots below Spinney Dam. The banks are open and easy to walk.