Elevenmile Canyon
14 Day Forecast: Look for reliable hatches of midges and blue-winged olives
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Jujubaetis, #20-22 Top Secret Baetis, #22-24 Bling Midges, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #18 Micro Egg, #20 Mercury Midge, #20 Miracle Nymph, #20 Buckskin, #22 Brassie, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Medallion Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #20-24 Parachute Adams, #20 Mathew's Sparkle Dun, #20 Parachute Blue-Winged Olive, #20 High Vis Baetis, #20-22 Pat's Midge, #22-24 Mole Midge, and #22 Griffith Gnats.
Measurements
Elevenmile Canyon Stream & Fly Fishing Conditions on the South Platte River in Colorado
The South Platte River below Elevenmile Reservoir is absolutely beautiful. The South Platte River tumbles and twists through a majestic canyon as it carves its way downstream to the small community of Lake George. Parts of the scenic canyon remind you of the fabled Cheesman stretch while others look much like the renowned Deckers area. Elevenmile Canyon is a great winter and early spring fishery with tremendous opportunity to consistently hook nice fish. The river is loaded with Rainbows and Cut-bows with the occasional brown trout.
The average fish ranges between 12 and 17 inches and are strong as an ox. Occasionally you will hook fish between 17 and 24 inches in the upper reaches below the dam. The river is comprised of riffles, runs, shelves, gravel bars, and nice pocket water. The scenery is fabulous with logjams, huge granite boulders, fallen trees, waterfalls, and bald eagles soaring above the canyon’s lip. The ideal flow for Elevenmile Canyon is between 150 and 250 cfs. The best fishing is in the upper two miles. The aforementioned two-mile stretch is flies and lures only. This section is catch and release and all fish must be returned to the water immediately. Pinch down your barbs and protect this incredible resource.
Eleven Mile Canyon is known for its superb dry fly fishing. The Trico hatch is one of many that anglers should concentrate their efforts on. Mark Adams photo
Tips & Other Information:
Flows are above average for this time of year. Anglers should come to the river prepared to imitate the various stages of a midge’s development (larva, pupa, and adult) in sizes 20-24. There have been some “midging fish” in the glassy pools and tailouts. During the afternoon, anglers should switch to fishing Baetis nymphs around 12:30 p.m as the blue-winged olives hatches ramp up. When the duns are present, it’s hard to go wrong with a #20 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun or a size #20 Parachute Adams. Eleven Mile Reservoir is full (102%) which is good news. 3/31/24