Clear Creek
Fly fishing in Colorado · Beginner · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Accessible from Denver metro area. Good populations of brown and rainbow trout in canyon setting along I-70.
Fishing Recommendations
Clear Creek is one of Colorado’s most accessible and overlooked gems. Running from the Continental Divide down through the canyons along I-70 and into the town of Golden, it offers over 30 miles of public access. While the proximity to the highway might deter those seeking a wilderness experience, the fishing is remarkably productive, offering classic high-gradient pocket water and opportunistic trout.
🎣 Location Overview
Clear Creek is the quintessential "mountain stream." It is characterized by high-gradient drops, plunges, deep pools, and endless "pocket water" created by large granite boulders.
What makes it special is its resilience and accessibility. You can leave Denver and be casting to wild brown trout in 30 minutes. Despite its history of mining and its location next to a major interstate, the water quality has improved significantly over the decades, supporting a thriving biomass of aquatic insects and a dense population of wild fish. It is a "busy" creek in terms of flow and sound, requiring quick reflexes and short, accurate casts.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The creek is dominated by Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. In the higher reaches (near Silver Plume and Bakerville), you may also encounter opportunistic Brook Trout and the occasional Cutthroat.
- Brown Trout: These are the residents of the undercut banks and the slower "tail-outs" of the big pools. They are wild and can be surprisingly spooky despite the highway noise.
- Rainbow Trout: Often found in the faster, highly oxygenated "heads" of the pools and in the middle of heavy pocket water.
- Behavior: Because the growing season is short at 7,000+ feet, these fish are opportunistic feeders. They don't have the luxury of being as selective as the fish on the South Platte or the Fryingpan. If a fly looks like food and is presented without drag, they will usually eat it.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Seasons
- Spring (March – Early May): Fishing picks up as the ice melts. Focus on the lower sections near Golden where the water warms up first. Midges and Blue Winged Olives (BWO) are the primary hatches.
- Summer (July – August): This is the prime window. Once the spring runoff subsides (usually by late June or early July), the dry fly fishing is world-class.
- Fall (September – October): My personal favorite. The crowds thin out, the Browns become aggressive as they prepare to spawn, and the Fall colors in the canyon are spectacular.
Time of Day & Conditions
- Summer: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM is peak. You don't need to be there at dawn; the fish wait for the sun to hit the water and activate the insects.
- Cloudy Days: These are the best days for BWO hatches and for enticing larger Browns out of their hiding spots with streamers.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Stimulators (Size 12-16, Orange or Yellow) – Great attractor/stonefly imitation.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-18, Tan or Olive) – The staple of Clear Creek.
- Amy’s Ant/Hipster Hopper (Size 12-14) – Perfect for dry-dropper rigs.
- Nymphs:
- Prince Nymph (Size 14-18) – The peacock hurl works wonders here.
- Frenchie or Pheasant Tail (Size 16-20) – Standard slim-profile nymphs.
- Copper John (Size 16-18, Red or Copper) – Heavy enough to get down in fast pockets.
- Streamers:
- Woolly Bugger (Size 8-12, Black or Olive) – Great for swinging through deep holes.
Techniques
- The Dry-Dropper: This is the most effective way to fish Clear Creek. Use a buoyant dry fly (like a Stimulator) with a 2-foot dropper to a weighted nymph (like a Prince Nymph).
- The "High-Stick" Nymph: Because the current is so complex, traditional indicator fishing is difficult. Keep as much fly line off the water as possible to prevent drag.
- Short Casts: Most fish are caught within 15–20 feet of the angler. Focus on accuracy over distance.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Golden Mile: The stretch of water running through the town of Golden (from the Billy Drew Bridge down to Ford Street) is designated as "Fishing is Fun" water. It holds some of the largest fish in the creek due to habitat improvements.
- Fish the "Soft" Water: Beginners often cast into the fastest water. Look for the "seams" where fast water meets slow water, and the "pillows" of water right in front of large boulders.
- Stealth Matters: Even though there is a highway 50 feet away, the fish are sensitive to vibrations through the bank and shadows on the water. Wade quietly.
- Check the Gauge: Clear Creek is prone to flash flooding and heavy runoff. Check the USGS gauge at Golden. If it's over 500-600 CFS, it’s generally too dangerous and fast to fish effectively. The "sweet spot" is usually 150–350 CFS.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Most of the canyon along Highway 6 and I-70 is public land (US Forest Service or Jefferson County Open Space). Look for pull-outs with established paths.
- Safety: Be extremely careful when parking and crossing the highway. Traffic moves very fast. Additionally, the rocks in Clear Creek are notoriously slippery—wading boots with felt or studs and a wading staff are highly recommended.
- Regulations:
- Standard Colorado fishing license is required.
- Check current Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) brochures, as some sections may have specific bag limits, though much of the creek is standard regulation.
- Mining History: While the water is much cleaner now, there are still heavy metals in the sediment from the 1800s. It is generally recommended to Catch and Release rather than consume fish from Clear Creek.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, April | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Top Secret Midge #20-24 |
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Baetis | mayfly | March, April, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #18-22, Parachute Adams #18-22, JujuBaetis #18-20 |
| American Grannom Brachycentrus | caddis | May | Midday/Evening | #14-16 | Peacock Caddis #14-16, Graphic Caddis #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | Morning/Afternoon | #8-12 | Pat's Rubber Leg #8-12, Amy's Ant #10-12, 20 Incher Stone #10-12 |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | July, August | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #14-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-18, Barr's PMD Emerger #16-18 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August, September | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Buckskin #16-18, Puterbaugh's Foam Caddis #16-18 |
| Red Quill Rhithrogena | mayfly | August | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill Parachute #12-14, Hares Ear Nymph #12-14 |
| Terrestrials Formicidae/Gryllidae | terrestrial | July, August, September | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-16 | Cinnamon Ant #14-16, Parachute Hopper #10-12, Black Foam Beetle #14-16 |