The reservoir is open to fishing from sunrise to sundown and is closed to ice fishing during the winter, keeping the catch-and-kill angling pressure to a minimum. Like the Dream Stream, there are rainbows, Snake River cutts, browns, and cuttbows, as well as a healthy supply of pike in the shallow, dark-bottom bays. Trout range from 15 to 20 inches or more.

Spinney is best fished from a boat or pontoon craft in order to cover the water thoroughly. Since the fish are strong and have room to run once hooked, use 5- and 6-weight fly rods with enough strength to lift a fish during the fight and also cast in the wind. As for reels, a smooth disk drag with good tension settings and plenty of backing capacity absorbs powerful runs. Floating lines are best for indicator nymphing. For streamers, damsels, or crayfish flies, a sinking line works better, allowing you to keep the flies at the appropriate depth. Use 12- to 15-foot, 2X to 4X fluorocarbon leaders.

The fertile reservoir produces scuds and is rich with chironomids, damsels, Callibaetis, dragonfly nymphs, trout fry, and crayfish. The action starts with scuds, eggs, and chironomids in the spring and fall, and Callibaetis, damsels, dragonflies, and crayfish during the summer. The best sizes for these imitations are 12 to 16. With large and obvious hatches during certain times of the year, success requires finding the correct depth. This is accomplished through trial and error and in some cases with the help of a depth sounder. If there isn’t a consistent depth where fish are hitting, find drop-offs or pockets in and around the weedy bottom. These are favorite spots for trout to cruise in search of food.

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Landon Mayer is a guide and author of How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life (Wild River Press, Spring 2007). He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This article originally appeared in the May 2007 issue of Fly Fisherman.

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