So, you’ve lived in Colorado for a few years, maybe tangled with trout at Deckers or hiked into Cheesman Canyon, but the South Platte still feels like a mystery beyond those famous runs. October is one of the best times to change that.

Here’s how to make sense of the river this fall.

• Cooler temps = active trout. Fall weather keeps water temps trout-friendly all day.
• Crowds thin. Summer hordes are gone, especially midweek.
• The bugs get small. You won’t see massive hatches, but trout key in on a handful of tiny, consistent meals.
• Bigger fish on the move. In stretches like the Dream Stream, October means brown trout staging for their annual romance tour.

• Still a good bet in October. Flows are wadeable, hatches are predictable, and access is easy.
• Expect Trico spinner falls in the morning and Blue Wing Olives (BWOs) when clouds roll in.

• Legendary for technical fish. If you like long leaders and stealth, October is prime here.
• The hike in keeps crowds lower than Deckers.

• This is October’s headline stretch. Big browns move up from Elevenmile, and sight-fishing is the name of the game.
• Don’t expect solitude—but do expect a shot at trophy fish.

Other Options

• Chatfield Tailwater near Denver for a quick half-day fix.
• Tomahawk State Wildlife Area for wide-open meadows and less technical water.

You don’t need 100 patterns. A starter October lineup looks like this:

• Dry Flies: Parachute Adams (#20–22), BWO Parachutes (#20–22)
• Nymphs: RS2s (#20–22), WD-40s (#20–22), Zebra Midges (#22–24)
• Streamers: Small leeches (olive/black, #10–12) for low-light or deeper runs

• Morning (7–11 AM): Trico spinners + midges
• Afternoon (1–4 PM): BWOs love cloudy skies
• Evening: Small streamers swung through shadow lines can wake up bigger fish

1. Q: Is October too late in the season?
   A: Not at all—it’s one of the best months.
2. Q: Do I need tiny flies?
   A: Yes—think size 20–24 for dries and nymphs.
3. Q: Is Deckers crowded in October?
   A: Less than summer, but weekends still draw a crowd.
4. Q: What gear works best?
   A: A 9’ 4–5 wt rod with 5X–6X tippet covers most situations.
5. Q: Do I need waders?
   A: Yes—flows are wadeable, but you’ll want the warmth.
6. Q: Can I take beginners out?
   A: Deckers and Tomahawk SWA are best for easier access. Cheesman and the Dream Stream are more advanced.
7. Q: Do trout still rise in October?
   A: Yes—especially on overcast afternoons during BWO hatches.
8. Q: Should I fish streamers?
   A: Definitely—especially early or late in the day.

Listen to the PodcastWhy October Works
Where to Start (If You’ve Only Fished Deckers)Deckers (South Platte)
Cheesman Canyon
Dream Stream (between Spinney & Elevenmile Reservoirs)
Flies That Keep It Simple
When to Fish
8 FAQs for October on the South Platte

Welcome to the Rise Beyond Fly Fishing River Report — your trusted source for real, unfiltered conditions on Colorado’s best trout water. In this episode, we dive deep into the Dream Stream, one of the most iconic and challenging sections of the South Platte River. If you're planning to fish between Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Eleven Mile Reservoir in late spring, this is your cheat sheet for doing it right.

Flows are holding between 66–95 CFS with clear, cold water and high visibility — the perfect mix for technical sight fishing. Air temps are ranging from the low 40s to the upper 60s, and water temps are in the mid-40s, making mornings the prime time to get on the water before the wind picks up. Fishing pressure is moderate to high, as usual for this high-profile stretch, so stealth, patience, and tight presentations are critical.

We break down what’s hatching this time of year — from midges and BWOs to the first waves of caddis and early PMDs. You’ll get detailed recommendations for fly patterns that are actually working, not just filling fly bins. Parachute BWOs and Griffith’s Gnats are producing up top, while Rainbow Warriors, RS2s, and Zebra Midges are doing the work below. And if you’re slinging streamers, keep them low and slow — Mini Dungeons and classic Woolly Buggers are your best bet in deeper channels and undercut banks.

We also cover our top four access points along the Dream Stream — from the classic upper parking lot downstream of Spinney to the sneaky inlet flats above Eleven Mile. Whether you're looking for easy entry or technical sight fishing water, we've got you covered. Expect detailed tips on how to approach each zone, what to look for, and how to outsmart wary trout in each section.

Beyond tactics, we’ll share ethical guidelines and landowner notes — where you can wade, how to avoid redds, and what to know before you go. The Dream Stream is a gem, but it’s also fragile. Treat it with respect, and it’ll reward you tenfold.

You’ll also get our signature pro tips: the seasonal nuance that separates those who catch from those who cast. Whether you're tight-lining a tandem rig, stalking a cruiser in the flats, or swinging meat through a shadowed bank, we give you the insight to execute.

Finally, we close with an FAQ pulled from common angler searches. Want to know the best time of year to fish the Dream Stream? Wondering if it’s beginner-friendly? Curious about year-round access or if the hype is real? We answer all that with honesty, experience, and just enough wit to keep it fun.

So grab your coffee, rig up your 5-weight, and let’s talk trout. This is not just another fishing report — it’s your inside line to better days on the Dream Stream.

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Want more? Subscribe to the podcast, visit RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com, and get our weekly river reports straight to your inbox. It’s fly fishing without the fluff — just the facts, the flies, and the fish.

The Dream Stream, located between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoirs, remains one of Colorado’s most iconic tailwaters. With its gin-clear water, technical fish, and breathtaking valley views, it’s the proving ground for sight fishing and stealthy presentations.

The Dream Stream is running at 168 CFS, about as “textbook” as you get for fall fishing. Clear water, low-to-medium pressure, and a smorgasbord of Tricos, BWOs, midges, and even stray craneflies. Think long leaders, light tippet, and flies so small you’ll question your eyesight. The morning spinner fall still owns, but cloudy afternoons bring out the baetis game.

Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Dream Stream Dispatch

• Flow Rate: 168 CFS — ideal, sight-fishing friendly
• Water Temp: Upper 50s°F mid-day — trout still active
• Air Temp: 40s–70s°F this week; chilly starts, warm finishes
• Clarity: Excellent — trout see you coming
• Best Times: 7–11 AM (Tricos), cloudy PMs for BWOs
• Crowds: Medium — classic access points fill, but plenty of water to spread out
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — technical but rewarding

Notes: Morning Tricos dominate, with BWOs sneaking in during cloud cover.

Nymphs / Emergers

• Sparkle Wing RS2 (gray/olive, #20–22)
• Barr’s BWO Emerger (#18–20)
• WD-40 (black/olive, #20–22)
• JuJu Baetis (#20–22)
• Zebra Midge (#22–24)

Dries / Terrestrials

• CDC Trico Spinner (#22–24)
• Parachute Adams (#20–22)
• Amy’s Ant (#14)
• Black Beetle (#16)

Streamers

• Baby Gonga (olive/brown, #8–10)
• Thin Mint Bugger (#10)
• Slump Buster (natural/olive, #8–10)

• Morning: Trico spinners over slicks. Trail a WD-40 or RS2 for the picky eaters.
• Midday: Tightline nymphing with small baetis patterns in riffles and seams.
• Afternoon: BWOs pop if clouds roll in — Parachute BWO + RS2 dropper is deadly.
• All Day: Keep a Mini Leech or Gonga handy for deeper runs.

• Spinney Tailwaters: Consistent hatches; accessible but busy.
• South Reach Pockets: Light pressure; good technical water.
• Elevenmile Junction: Deeper runs, streamer-friendly.

Q: Is it still fishing well?
A: Yes — mornings and cloudy PMs are prime.

Q: What’s the fly of the week?
A: Sparkle Wing RS2 (#20–22) as a dropper.

Q: Is it worth streamer fishing?
A: Yes — especially late afternoon into shadowed runs.

Q: What rod setup works best?
A: 9’ 4–5 wt, long 12–14 ft leaders with 6X.

Where to fish today! Tired of fly shops feeding you outdated, half-baked reports just to push gear? Us too. That’s why River Whisper exists—to cut through the noise and give you real, up-to-date, no-BS fly fishing reports for Colorado.