The Dream Stream vs. Norfolk Tailwater

[ollie]

Really?  Haven't heard that.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I was there in late October.  Mud and stinks.  Check out Gene's cam and when the sun is right you can clearly see the muddy water.

http://www.ozarkvideos.com/genestroutfishingresort/?cam=up

[Al Agnew]

I agree that if catching fish and having a good chance of catching big trout is your most important criteria, the North Fork and other streams in the Ozarks will be as good or better than most Western waters.  But if you are looking for truly wild trout in classic trout rivers, with good chances of getting into spectacular dry fly fishing, then head West.  

[flyfishmaster]

Wow, talking about two polar opposite flows of water.  But great topic.  I have fished both locations multiple times.

At Norfork, I happen to be there when the flows required a boat and had very little opportunity to wade fish.  But the number of fish caught was good.  We saw a few nice fish caught in 4-8 pound range.

Dream Stream,  what a view!!!  It can be very crowded at times and with stream etiquette, it could force you to fish sections that are not that desirable for trout to be located. But the Trico hatches can be insane.  Some of the best dry fly fishes I have ever encountered as long as you like to thrown sz 20-26 Tricos. It is fun landing a 3 pounder on a dry fly as well.  It can be very breezy there as well.

I would recommend that if the Dream Stream is packed, take the 30 minute drive to 11 Mile Canyon.  You will always find a place to fish there. And it beats the view of the Dream Stream as well.

 

Later,

FFM

[ollie]

Thanks for all the replies.  I think at this point we will most likely just head over to the Norfork and fish it.  We may also hit up the White as well.

[snagged in outlet 3]

If you’re going, go to the white. 

[moturkey]

I've not fished Norfolk, but I was out at the Dream Stream in early September.  Scenery is undoubtedly beautiful. The Dream Stream is only 3 miles long, and is narrow - mostly about 25-50 feet across -- with well-worn footpaths along the entire stretch.  Although we were a couple weeks early and managed to avoid the crowds when we were there (and the productivity of the fall spawning run), its size doesn't seem to lend itself well to big crowds which I suspect it gets in late September / early October when the fall spawning run kicks off. This is typical of the Dream Stream landscape:

 

The Eleven Mile Reservoir is beautiful, as is the Eleven Mile River below it. We got into a couple nice ones, but neither size nor quantity of fish was overwhelming.   FWIW, we are currently making plans for another fall trip to CO, and we aren't going back to the Dream Stream.

 

 

 

[RSBreth]

Most of my pictures are on film for that stretch - but if you get  chance just go in the off season and the upper South Platte is wonderful. Many memories of good fish Eleven Mile is great too.

 

 

[Dylan Cluver]

I spent a few days in Lake George with my brother and a friend. We were there during the fall run, and I will probably never fish the dream stream again at that time of the year. The people there completely ruined that area for us. Eleven mile canyon is BEAUTIFUL but very technical. Fun little stream is Taryall Creek. Access is limited and the fish are not very big, but they were eager to take our flies and the scenery was classic Colorado. It was the highlight of the trip. On the way back to Lake George we saw a group of big horn rams, mule deer, and elk. If you have never been, you got to go up Pike's Peak. The fly shop in Woodland Park was very nice and the folks were helpful. The Tumbling Trout is a must stop if you are in Lake George. Michelle is a super nice lady. 

[Gavin]

Think my dream stream is Beartrap Canyon on the Madison. Does not get fished much, but you need a raft and a WW guide who can fish on the sticks.