This week’s Waterton Canyon Fly Fishing Report is loaded with the intel you actually need. No recycled advice, no vague talk about "midges." We're dialing in Trico season tactics with surgical fly recs, tight-line nymphing tips, and a clear look at when to go and what to throw.

Flows are low, bugs are small, and success is all about precision. We’ll cover:

• Why Waterton’s fish want Tricos but reject junk

• The exact nymphs, dries, and micro streamers to fish right now

• How to fish pocket water and canyon shadows with confidence

• When to go for dry fly eats vs. when to get deep and subtle

Whether you’re sneaking in a quick morning mission or planning a full-day canyon hike, we’ve got your back with real-time strategy, not fluff.

This episode is for the detail-oriented angler. If you're fishing 4X with a hopper in this water, you're playing the wrong game. Want eats? Downsize, stealth up, and listen in.

Tap the episode. Skip the guesswork. Fish smarter.

Fishing the Dream Stream in summer? Brace yourself. This isn’t just a fishing trip—it’s a mental test wrapped in tippet tangles, Trico hatches, and a sea of anglers dressed like pro staffers. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you navigate the chaos without losing your mind (or your patience).

In this episode of the Rise Beyond Fly Fishing podcast, we break down how to fish Colorado’s iconic Dream Stream during peak season—with crowd-beating tactics, precise fly selections, and just enough humor to keep your blood pressure below 7X.

We cover:

• Best times to fish the Dream Stream when others aren’t even awake yet

• How far you really need to walk to find less-pressured water

• Dry fly, emerger, and nymph picks for July and August (including Trico Spinner #22–24, RS2s, Zebra Midges, and hoppers)

• Why light tippet and perfect first casts matter more than ever

• Mindset shifts that’ll save your trip (and possibly your soul)

This isn’t just a river—it’s a proving ground. Whether you're trying to fool 22-inch browns in technical water or just carve out a moment of peace between crowds, this episode will get you dialed in and laughing your way back to the truck.

Featured Fly Box:

• Trico Spinner (#22–24)

• CDC Caddis (#18–20)

• RS2 in Gray/Olive (#20–22)

• Zebra Midge (#20–24)

• Barr’s Emerger (#20–22)

• Foam Ant & Hopper (#12–16)

• Thin Mint Streamer (#10–12)

Pro tips included: What to do when someone low-holes you, how to fish around dogs in the water, and why walking one more bend downstream might save your day.

Subscribe, laugh, and outfish the crowd—this is Rise Beyond Fly Fishing.

Planning to fish this weekend but don’t want to waste time guessing where to go or what to throw? We’ve got you covered. In this episode of the Rise Beyond Fly Fishing podcast, we break down the top 5 places to fly fish within an hour of Denver right now—each with up-to-date conditions, detailed hatch charts, and dialed-in fly picks.

From canyon seams to tailwater trophy zones, we walk through exactly what’s fishing hot this week:

• Clear Creek: Hopper-dropper heaven through Golden and beyond Tunnel 1. Fish it tight to structure with Elk Hair Caddis, Prince Nymphs, and Golden Stonefly patterns.

• Bear Creek: A small-stream gem just outside Morrison. Active browns are rising to Parachute Adams and midges in the morning. Tight water, big rewards.

• Waterton Canyon: South Platte tailwater magic close to town. Think RS2s, Zebra Midges, and a bike ride to less-pressured pools.

• South Boulder Creek: Cold, clear, and productive. Caddis and BWOs are in play. CDC dry flies and soft presentations are key.

• Dream Stream / Eleven Mile: Big fish. Small flies. Trico spinner falls, foam hoppers, and streamer grabs are all in play depending on time of day and wind.

We’ll also cover:

• This weekend’s best fishing times for each spot

• Pro-level insights on when to fish dries, nymphs, or streamers

• Exact fly patterns and sizes you should be tying on

• How to dodge crowds and maximize success on pressured water

• Bonus tips on flow reports, licenses, and gear

This is more than a fishing report—it’s a weekend mission briefing for anglers who want results without guesswork.

So whether you’ve got a few hours before dinner or you’re planning a full-day road trip, this episode will help you fish smarter and land more trout.

Brought to you by Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Your source for Colorado river reports, hatches, gear tips, and the best damn flies west of the Divide.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and fish on.