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.

Spinney Mountain Ranch- 7/19/14

The 50+ hour work weeks have really taken a toll on my fishing time this summer, but I was finally able to get out with my Dad yesterday, heading up to South Park to fish the Dream Stream.  With life flying by at such a crazy speed, it's good to have days like this to slow down the pace and really enjoy the river.  The South Platte was flowing at a perfect 294, which is an awesome rate for this river and allows for the fish to spread out, meaning you can catch fish everywhere.  The river looked absolutely perfect, with bugs popping all day long, massive swarms of PMD's and Caddis flying everywhere and really getting the fishes attention all day long.

What made yesterday special was watching my Dad catch his biggest trout yet.  A beautiful Snake River Cutthroat that ate a Prince Nymph in a long slow run up by the dam right before we turned around and headed for the car.  Almost botched the photo, but we lucked out and were able to get some stunning photos of this awesome fish.  A perfect way to end the day in South Park, catching a monster fish on the Dream Stream.

Dream Stream- 7/13/13

It has been very seldom that I've been able to get my wife to go to the river with me, so when a group of friends planned a weekend at a cabin in South Park, I was so excited to take my wife to the Dream Stream with me to show her one of my favorite places.  The previous times I've taken her, either the fish or me (probably me) had not been cooperative.  During our honeymoon in Steamboat, I fished the Yampa through town by myself and hooked rising fish all afternoon, but the next day when I took her, I could not buy a fish.  I'm not saying I felt a lot of added pressure to actually hook some fish, but I really wanted to show her why I love this sport so much.

The Spinney Mountain section of the South Platte was looking absolutely amazing.  There were crazy amounts of insect activity around the river, with PMD's, Tricos, Midges, and Caddis flying everywhere.  I was mostly fishing a drowned Trico spinner below a Annelid, and the fish seemed to like it.  They were absolutely crushing the Trico.  You know those strikes where they take you fly with so much purpose that the strike indicator is 5 feet upstream before you even have time to set the hook.  With the higher flows, the fish seemed to be extremely healthy and powerful.  Caught two beautiful Cutthroats that were extremely feisty to get to the net.  It was nice to have a camera woman to take some action shots of me for once, and even better that I got to enjoy the day with my wife.  So in one trip, my wife went from my bad luck charm to my good luck charm, and I'm really looking forward to the next time I can get her on the river with me.

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

Dream Stream- 7/22/12

Been a while since my last post.  Been busy getting married and moving into a new house.  Only been fishing twice in the last month, and only tied a few dozen flies.  Oh well.  The two times I have gone fishing have been pretty epic.  I fished the Blue through Silverthorne, and hooked into some of the biggest fish I ever have.  Only managed to land a few of them.  Those fish are so smart, they know exactly what boulder to wrap my leader around, and poof, they're gone.  Still a blast though.

Fished the Dream Stream today with my dad, and had an absolutely great day.  Saw my first Trico hatch, caught my first cutthroat, and finally watched my dad get it.  He landed about 10 fish, including a gorgeous 20" Bow.  Flies were pretty simple today.  Caught almost all of the fish on some annelid patterns.  Throw a double annelid rig into a riffle, and hook into 4 fish.  Had a blast playing the feisty Dream Stream browns.  I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

First cutthroat.  Not a great pic!

Double annelid rig all day

Fish of the day! Acrobatic rainbow!