Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area
14 Day Forecast: Look for hatches of midges, Tricos, and blue-winged olives.
Effective Patterns: #18 -20 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #20-22 Jujubaetis, #20-22 Top Secret Baetis, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Mico San Juan Worm, #16 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20 Red Larva, #18-20 Buckskin, #20-24 CDC Trico Comparadun, #16-20 Sparkle Dun, #16-20 Parachute Adams.
Measurements
Fly Fishing Information for The Dream Stream Between Spinney & Eleven Mile Reservoirs Colorado
The lush meandering, meadow portion of the South Platte between Spinney and Eleven Mile Reservoirs is known as the “Dream Stream” or the Spinney Mountain Ranch. This beautiful 3-mile section of the Platte offers anglers the opportunity of a lifetime to catch large trout. This fabulous tailwater fishery is located in the heart of South Park, tucked between 14,000 foot snow capped peaks on the west, rich ranchland to the north and south, and Pikes Peak on the east. Spinney is a well-balanced fishery where anglers can catch trout on nymphs, dry flies, and streamers.
The river is comprised of prime trout habitat, which includes, riffles, runs, gravel bars, shelves, and undercut banks. Fly-fishers can expect to catch a mixed bag of rainbows, browns, and cutthroats in 10-18 inch range. In addition spring (rainbows, and cutthroats) and fall (browns and kokanee salmon) spawning runs from Elevenmile Reservoir are quite impressive with fish up to 10 pounds landed during a key three-four week period. Ideal flow conditions for “Dream Stream” are between 100 and 250 cfs. The regulations are flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.
The Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area (commonly called the Spinney Mountain Ranch or Dream Stream) is a classic meandering, meadow stream. Anglers have the opportunity to catch rainbows, cut-bows, cutthroats, and brown trout when they fish this fabled stretch of water.
Tips & Other Information:
Outflows are at 114 cfs, and I expect them to drop even more soon. The lake is half empty which is very concerning for this time of year. It’s that time of year when the Kokanee salmon and spawn-run brown trout move upstream from the Eleven Mile Reservoir. As you might imagine…the crowds are very heavy. The brown trout run has been spotty at best, but hordes of anglers are persuing them. Move around and share the water so everyone can enjoy the resource. If you see brown trout in shallow riffles, assume they are doing their thing and leave them alone…Revised 10/21/25