At 2 CFS, this small headwater stream is running extremely low—well below the 15 CFS floor that defines normal conditions on water this size. You’re looking at genuinely tough fishing: the meadow will be skinned down to a few concentrated threads of moving water, fish will be hypersensitive to shadow and vibration, and your wading options are severely limited. The good news is that low water at Spinney Above still holds trout; the bad news is they’ll be locked into whatever pocket or seam they can find, and they’ll bolt at the first sign of clumsy approach.
This is the time to fish small, slow, and deliberate. Wade deliberately. Cast from distance. Expect to cover less water and work individual fish. The upside: when flows are this marginal, selectivity drops slightly and fish can’t afford to be picky about a perfectly-presented fly—they eat what comes through because it may be the only meal they see all day.
What’s Hatching
Trico spinners dominate the early-morning window. These tiny (#20–24) mayflies have been cycling through since late June and remain the most reliable early-season dry. Expect spinner falls between sunrise and mid-morning, particularly on calm mornings when there’s no wind to scatter them. Fish spent adults and fresh spinners with a dead-drift approach in soft current seams.
Midges (Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, Zebra Midge, RS2 emergers in #20–24) are the workhorse of midsummer, and at low flow they become even more critical. Fish them subsurface in the deeper pockets where trout have retreated; emergers will outfish dry patterns on marginal water where fish are feeding just below the surface.
PMDs (#16–18) continue in modest numbers through July, though they’re past their peak. Focus on afternoon drifts in riffles and shallow runs where the hatch shows itself.
Evening caddis will appear around dusk (tan and brown patterns, #14–16). Low water concentrates fish in the deepest available holding lies, which often sit below where caddis stage, so evening dry fishing can be productive if you can locate a lane with enough depth to hold trout.
Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers #12–16) peak on warm afternoons. Hoppers especially work well when the meadow wind picks up and knocks insects into the water.
Best Water This Week
Deeper pockets in rocky runs. At 2 CFS, the meadow’s open riffles are likely too thin to hold fish for extended periods. Work the deeper cuts and small pools within the run structure—places where current creates a slightly darker, deeper lie. These pockets will be your best chance at concentrated fish. Approach from below and cast upstream to avoid spooking fish in the shallows above.
Soft inside seams along the banks. In low water, trout stack up in the gentler, slower water along the inside of bends and beside undercut banks, where current is marginal but cover is present. These seams hold nervous fish; cast a long line, keep your shadow off the water, and let your nymph or emerger drift naturally through without drag.
Shallow riffle edges transitioning to deeper water. Where riffles shallow out and begin to deepen into the next run, trout position at the boundary—enough current to bring food, enough depth to escape. These transition zones are highly productive on headwater meadow water, even at diminished flows.
Tactics
Leader and tippet: Use a 9-foot 4X or 5X leader. At this flow and given the spookiness of the water, lighter tippet (5X to 6X in #20–24 sizes) is justified. The reduced water volume means you’re fishing close quarters—a longer, lighter leader improves your odds of avoiding drag and line-shadow detection.
Nymph rig: Start with a two-fly setup—a small midge emerger (#22–24) on point, with a tiny dropper (RS2, Black Beauty) 12–16 inches above it on a tag. Split shot should be minimal; in 2 CFS water you don’t need much weight, and lighter presentations spook fewer fish. Let the current do the work.
Dry-dropper option: Fish a small dry (Trico spinner or Parachute Adams #18–20) as your visible indicator, with a midge emerger or nymph trailing 18 inches below. This setup works well in the pockets and seams and gives you a visual target in low, clear water.
Presentation: Cast upstream or across-upstream at a gentle angle. Avoid false casting over the water; use only the casts you need. Mend minimally to maintain a dead drift. In this flow, trout don’t have many options—they’re not roaming—so if your first cast through a likely spot doesn’t draw a strike, wait a minute and try again rather than thrashing the water.
Practical Notes
Access: Both Tomahawk and Badger Basin are open meadow terrain, which means wading is visible and sound carries. At 2 CFS, noise discipline becomes your biggest asset. Move slowly between lies, avoid splashing, and keep your footsteps light. The easier your approach, the fewer fish you’ll spook unnecessarily.
License and closures: Confirm your SWA pass or valid Colorado fishing license before heading up. Remember that seasonal closures do apply to protect spawning fish at certain times of year—while there’s no specific closure active in early July, it’s worth checking current regs on the CPW website to ensure this meadow stretch is open for the dates you plan to fish.