Dream Stream- 3/13/16

Got the green light from the wife to head up to the mountains last Sunday, so we pointed the Explorer west up 285 to the South Platte below Spinney Mountain Reservoir to see if any of those monster lake run Rainbows had found their way up the river from Eleven Mile.  It was a perfect day to get back on the water, with clear blue skies and very little wind to speak of.  The flows were a little bit low for the big migration of fish that gives this river its name, but we found the resident fish more than willing to take a fly, and a few of the really big trout that have started to move up into the river in anticipation of their annual spawn.

The fish were taking small annelid and black midge patterns with abandon, as we brought tons of fish to the net.  It was the best day of fishing that I've ever been a part of on the Dream Stream, as any good drift would draw a strike.  My pops took top honors yet again (becoming too regular), hooking an awesome Spinney Rainbow on a San Juan Worm in a nice run below the bridge.  He wrestled the fish out of the deep hole where he was hiding, and got the fish into the net.  It truly was an impressive fish, measuring out at a very thick bodied 25".  Felt great to be back out in the water again my Dad, especially with the amount of time we spent with our rods bent.  First day on the water this year, and hopefully it is an omen of good times ahead on the rivers.

Charlie Meyers SWA- 10/12/13

I've said it before, but one of my favorite things about fly fishing is the continuing newness that is involved in every outing.  There is always a new adventure to be had, whether it is a new river, new fishing buddies, new fly patterns to fish, or as was the case yesterday, a new species to try to catch.

I have fished the Dream Stream many times in the last couple years, and have learned to enjoy this ever changing river.  Every season brings so much change to the stream, with large Rainbows in the spring and monster Browns in the fall pushing into the stream from Eleven Mile reservoir to spawn.  The summer months bring outstanding fishing, with so many different hatches occurring, sometimes all in the same day.  We headed up to South Park this past weekend, with hopeful optimism of catching the Brown of lifetime.  With such low flows (33cfs), the large influx of Brown Trout had not pushed into the river yet, but there were Kokanee Salmon everywhere.  Every deep pool had large pods of salmon in them, mostly large males with huge hook jaws.  I was super excited to hook and land a few of these crazy looking fish, including a very nice male.  With the low flows, it was crazy to watch your flies drift through the pods of Kokanee, with the occasional instinctive reaction to strike.  They fought hard, with quick powerful runs and lot of acrobatics.  I now see what the draw is for anglers who pursue these fish every fall, running around the state trying to find and catch them.  It is a rush to hook salmon, and is so cool that we can do it in our beautiful state.

Just another day in the life of fly fishing junkie, where every time on the water brings a new adventure!!

Dream Stream/Taylor River- 8/5/12

Planned a full day of fishing for Sunday, and when I say full day, I mean it.  Left the house at 3:30 AM for South Park.  First stop was the Dream Stream, chasing browns and cutthroats during the day.  Fished until about 4:00 PM, packed up, and headed to Buena Vista for a quick dinner.  After refueling, we headed over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Park Reservoir for a little night fishing.  Got on the water about 7:30, enjoyed an awesome spinner fall, and then fished by headlight until 3:00 AM.  Highlight was a 25" brown that I sight fished to.  Awesome time enjoying beautiful Colorado.

Gorgeous morning on the Dream Stream!

 Looking down Buena Vista side of Cottonwood Pass

Fish of the night! 25" of powerful brown.

Releasing the brute

Last fish of the night at 3:00 AM