The name of this blog should really be changed because Ethan now lives in Colorado. Here is his latest report from a world famous ribbon of water that runs through an enormous, expansive and beautiful part of the state.

The Dream Stream

3/1/19

As I drive over Wilkerson Pass the snowfall gets more intense. I arrive in the lower parking lot of the Dream Stream with a half a dozen cars already parked. Fisherman are milling about, rigging rods, and a sliding into their waders. Snow continues to fall as I put my waders on but even with the steady snowfall the air is still. I set up 2 rods, my 3wt 11ft with a tight line/euro setup, the other my 5wt 10ft a heavy nymph rig with midges as my attractor and point flies.

                I begin my day on river just below the bridge. This is a large pool with a zillion micro currents created by man made structure. I start quick and pick up a 8” rainbow on the swing. The bow took a size 22 mercury zebra midge. The snow is slowing letting up and the clouds are starting to break opening my view of this awe-inspiring landscape. In the pool I notice some big boils but executing a great drift is near impossible, so I head just upstream of the bridge.

                Two riffles converge just before the bridge where I decide to fish. I fish from river right targeting a promising seam on river left. I connect after a few casts with a beautiful 13” bow and soon pick up a few more trout. At this point the snow has ceased and the sun is poking in and out of the clouds. The wind is almost non-existent which is unheard of for the Dream. I keep trekking upstream with little result. I am hoping to spot a monster Rainbow on its annual jaunt upstream from 11 mile Reservoir. I eventually come to a deep bend in the river. A couple casts with my tight line setup I connect with a 12” brown. After a debacle of landing the trout and releasing the hook, I set him free and see him swim back into the deep pool. He slammed a dead drifted leech pattern.

                A day earlier I had fished an upper section of the Dream with little result and had to deal with brutal winds all day. It was impossible to get a good drift. Today with little to no wind it was a different story. Eventually I worked downstream and stumbled upon my honey hole for the day. For the most part it was a pretty nondescript riffle, fast water pushing up towards the bend on river right and slower part of the riffle pushing right to left. (towards river right). The main difference here was that I could see the fish and trust me there were some tanks. I will not summarize every take, every fight, and every fish at this spot but overall, there were some successes and some missed opportunities. I had about a 30-40% catch rate. This culminated with my best fish of the day ... a 18” Cutbow as strong as an ox.  Soon after I released the Cutbow, I cast, put a good mend in.. and Wham! Indicator down. CONNECTION! I see a huge flash of silver, the surface Explodes! A monster rainbow trashes its head in anger. I maintain a connection and try to walk him upstream to keep it in the pool. But soon… Slack. He’s off.

                Its about 4pm now and the wind is beginning to pick up. I feel the temperature dip and start walking toward the car. I see a storm rolling over the mountains in the distance. Each time I lose a large trout I end up on my back looking to the sky for answers. Maybe I will get another chance one day. In this life or the next. Today was a blessing. Well until the next time I am stream side with a fly rod.

ES