Trouts Fly Fishing

Reporter: Cody Hoeckelberg

Flow Conditions:

Water Clarity: Gin Clear

Current Fishing Conditions:

11-Mile is an excellent early summer, late spring fishery with lots of fish to be caught! It is beautiful scenary and a wonderful scenic drive down 285 (From Denver)

11-Mile Canyon on the South Platte has been benefitting from unseasonably warm temperatures, and the fishing has been quite productive.  Nymphing tends to land more fish but can often lack the excitement of a fishing breaking the surface and eating your dry fly! If you choose to throw dries having a foam body BWO or caddis so it is able to hold up your Baetis nymph or caddis pupa. If you want numbers on the board and you choose to indicator nymph,  Eggs, Scuds, Leechs and Worms make good attractor flies, and any small midge or BWO nymph or emerger pattern (Barr's Emerger, Juju Baetis,Beaded Little Mayfly) will quickly get the fishes attention.  Focus on the deep pools and runs during the cold and early/late parts of the day, and the shallower runs, pools and riffles as the day warms. When the hatch is on you will find fish feeding in the riffles above pools and below tailouts.

 With some rainy weather, and overcast the BWO's will be hatching and fish will most likely be keying in on Baetis Emerger. (Juju Beatis, Barr's Emerger)

Focusing on the top part of the canyon will generally produce more fish and larger fish, but you usually have to share the river with other anglers. Checking out the mid section as you start to go through the tunnels is great spot to get away from some of the crowds and find some solitude!

 

Nymphs:  Worms, Scuds, Eggs, Not Much 20-24, Bling Midge 20-22, WD-40 20-22, Pheasant Tail 18-22, Rojo Emerging Midge 18-22, JuJu Midge 18-22, Maggot Midge 18-22

Dries:  Parachute Adams 18-22, Hatchmatcher BWO 18-22, Brooks Sprout Midge 20-24, Special Emerger 20-22, Griffiths Gnat 20-22, Adult Midge 18-22, Erics Midge 18-22

Streamers:  Slump Buster, Belly Ache Minnow, Sculpzilla

Seasonal Overview:

The South Platte River system is a great Spring fishery, as the constant water temps and ample bug life make for great fishing conditions.  As long as flows are above 50 cfs, expect fishing to be quite good.  Any lower than that and the fish are going to be overly spooky and wary of your fly. 

Current Hatches: BWO's, Baetis, Midges, Eggs, Worms, Scuds

Recommended Flies

Dries: Parachute Adams 16-22, Parachute BWO 16-22, Hatch Matcher BWO, Tailwater Humpy 16-20, Brooks Sprout Midge 18-22 Nymphs: Scuds, Worms, Pheasant Tail 18-22, Copper John 18-20, RS2 18-22, WD-40 18-22, Black Beauty 18-22, Mercury Baetis 18-20 Streamers: Wooly Buggers, Slump Busters, Clousers, Belly Ache Minnows, Sculpzilla's

Tips & Tricks

Try using an egg or a worm as an underwater indicator

 

Recommended Products:

Photos

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