Elevenmile Canyon: Below Elevenmile Dam
Elevenmile Canyon — Fishing Report for April 27, 2026
Quick Stats
Flow: 56 CFS | Trend: Rising | Fishability: Good | Weather: Chance snow showers, high 54°F
The Bite
Today's overcast sky and chance of snow showers is exactly the kind of weather that triggers Elevenmile's best spring fishing. BWO hatches thrive under low, grey light, and with flows sitting just below the ideal band at 56 CFS and nudging upward, the river is in excellent shape — clear, wadeable, and loaded with fish that have been feeding hard through April. While freestone streams across the Front Range are beginning to color up with snowmelt, the dam is doing its job, keeping this tailwater clean and consistent.
It's worth noting that this is a dry year in the South Platte basin — snowpack is running well below normal, which means the spring runoff pulse is likely to be modest and short-lived. That's actually good news for Elevenmile: the dam-buffered flows should stay in the fishable range through May rather than blowing out for weeks on end. Enjoy the window.
Morning fishing will be midge-driven. Expect fish to be working the slower seams and tailouts before the hatch clock kicks in. By early afternoon — especially if cloud cover thickens ahead of any snow — look for BWO activity to build. The 1–4 PM window is the one to plan around today. Early caddis scouts are also beginning to show in late afternoon, a preview of what's coming in May.
What to Fish
- Zebra Midge #20 — Morning anchor nymph; fish it deep through the slower runs on 6X fluorocarbon
- RS2 #20 — Pair it 12–16" above the midge as a dropper; covers emerging Baetis and midges simultaneously
- Barr Emerger (BWO) #20 — Transition fly as the afternoon hatch builds; fish it in the film just below the surface
- Parachute BWO #18–20 — Dry fly for rising fish during the afternoon hatch window; dead-drift through the feeding lanes
- Ray Charles (Scud) #16 — All-day producer between hatches; reliable when nothing is visibly happening
- San Juan Worm (red) #14 — Worth a spot on a three-fly nymph rig; always effective in tailwater substrate
Tactics & Rigging
For the morning, set up a three-fly nymph rig with a San Juan Worm on point as the anchor, the RS2 trailing 14" above it, and the Zebra Midge as a third fly 12" off the RS2 — or simplify to a two-fly setup with the worm anchoring and the RS2 as the dropper. Use 5X to a 6X tippet transition, and fish the setup under a small indicator through the deeper pockets and mid-depth runs. Drag-free drifts along the current seams will do most of the work.
When fish start showing on top in the afternoon, drop down to 6X fluorocarbon and switch to a single Parachute BWO or Barr Emerger. Let the fly ride the feeding lane untouched — these fish see a lot of pressure and will refuse anything with drag. If you're seeing consistent risers but can't get takes, try sizing down to a #22 RS2 fished just under the surface as a single fly on 7X.
Access & Logistics
The canyon road provides good access to multiple stretches. Parking pullouts fill early on weekends, but Monday pressure should be lighter — arrive by 9 AM to claim a good run before the afternoon hatch draws more anglers in. Wading is moderate; felt soles or studded boots are recommended on the slick granite. With overnight lows forecast in the mid-20s, expect icy guides early — bring a rag.
This is Gold Medal, catch-and-release water from the dam to Wagon Tongue Gulch Road bridge. Artificial flies and lures only. Verify current regulations with CPW before fishing. Clean, drain, and dry all wading gear between trips — New Zealand mudsnails have been documented in the South Platte drainage.
Stop by Badger Creek Fly Shop for flies, local intel, and to support the shops that keep these fisheries healthy.
Looking Ahead
Snow showers are in the forecast through Wednesday with overnight lows in the mid-20s, which should keep BWO conditions favorable for the next several days — this stretch of weather is worth fishing. With a light snow year in the basin, flows are unlikely to spike dramatically, so the canyon should remain in good shape well into May as the Mother's Day caddis hatch builds toward its peak.