Elevenmile Canyon
14 Day Forecast: Look for hatches of midges, caddis, PMD's, and Tricos
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Jujubaetis, #20-22 Top Secret Baetis, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Micro San Juan Worm, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #18-20 Buckskin, #16 Graphic Caddis, #16 Sparkle Dun, PMD, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #10-12 Hopper patterns, #10-12 Amy's Ant, #14 Stimulator, #22-24 CDC Biot Trico Comparadun.
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:
Outflows are at 168 cfs, but look for them to even out and match the releases below Spinney Mountain Reservoir (209 cfs) soon. Eleven Mile Reservoir is full pool (102%) which is normal for this time of year. Current hatches include midges, PMD’s, caddis, yellow sallies, and Tricos. Fishing has been productive in the morning, especiallly for the dry fly enthusiast. The fishing slows down in the afternoon when the hatches are over. The non hatch periods are a good time to fish with a hopper looking for an opportunistic grab. Fish the downwind grassy banks and and cover the water methodically. Don’t forget about the evening caddis hatch, it adds alot of fun and excitement to the days end. Revised 7/12/25