Clear Creek
Fly fishing in Wyoming · Beginner · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Bighorn Mountains stream near Buffalo with brown trout. Easy access.
Fishing Recommendations
Clear Creek, flowing out of the majestic Bighorn Mountains and through the town of Buffalo, Wyoming, is one of the state's most underrated freestone gems. While the nearby North Platte and Bighorn Rivers get the national headlines, Clear Creek offers a classic, intimate mountain stream experience with eager trout and stunning scenery.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Clear Creek.
🎣 Location Overview
Clear Creek is a high-gradient freestone stream that transforms as it drops from the alpine peaks. It begins in the Bighorn National Forest, tumbles through rugged canyons, meanders through the town of Buffalo, and eventually flows into the Powder River.
What makes it special is the diversity of water. In the upper reaches (above Buffalo), you’ll find classic pocket water, plunge pools, and bouldery runs. As it moves through town and below, it slows slightly, offering undercut banks and classic riffle-run-pool sequences. It is a "working man’s" stream—unpretentious, accessible, and filled with wild fish that aren't quite as "educated" as those on the more famous tailwaters.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Brown Trout: The stars of the lower and middle sections. They are notoriously territorial. Look for them in the "dark water"—underneath overhanging willows, tucked into undercut banks, or behind large boulders. In the fall, they become highly aggressive.
- Rainbow Trout: Found throughout the system, particularly in the faster, oxygenated riffles and the heads of pools. They are opportunistic feeders and will often move to the middle of the water column to intercept nymphs.
- Bonus - Brook Trout: In the higher elevations (above Mosier Gulch), you’ll encounter vibrant, hungry Brookies in the smaller tributary flows and beaver ponds.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Summer (July – August)
This is the prime window. Once the spring runoff subsides (usually by late June), the creek settles into a perfect flow.
- Conditions: Clear, cold water and high insect activity.
- Peak Window: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for morning hatches; 6:00 PM to dusk for the evening caddis flight.
Fall (September – October)
My personal favorite. The cottonwoods turn gold, the crowds disappear, and the big Brown trout start thinking about spawning.
- Conditions: Lower water levels require a stealthy approach.
- Peak Window: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The cooler nights mean the "bug clock" shifts to the warmest part of the day.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
The "Hopper-Dropper" (The Go-To)
Because Clear Creek is a freestone stream, the fish are looking up. A "Dry-Dropper" rig is the most effective way to cover water.
- Top: Size 10-14 Chubby Chernobyl (Gold or Tan) or a Para-Hopper.
- Bottom: 18-24 inches of 5X fluorocarbon tippet leading to a size 16 Pheasant Tail or Bead-head Hare’s Ear.
Dry Flies
- Summer: Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-16), Parachute Adams (Size 16), and PMDs.
- Late Summer: Yellow Sallies and Grasshopper patterns.
- Fall: Blue Winged Olives (BWO) in size 18-20 on cloudy days.
Nymphing
In the deeper canyon pools or during high-sun periods, go deep.
- Patterns: Pat’s Rubber Legs (Coffee/Black), Prince Nymphs, and San Juan Worms (after a rain).
- Technique: High-sticking or "tight-line" nymphing is very effective in the pocket water of the canyon.
Streamers
If you want the trophy Browns in the fall:
- Patterns: Gold or Black Woolly Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, or Near Nuff Sculpins.
- Technique: Strip them through the deeper holes or swing them across the tail-outs of pools.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Town Stretch: Don't overlook the water running right through Buffalo. The city maintains the William J. Mentock Trail, which provides excellent access. The fish here see some pressure but are surprisingly large because they benefit from the "urban" ecosystem.
- Mosier Gulch: This is the "gateway" to the mountain water. It offers great public access and a mix of canyon-style fishing. If the fishing is slow, keep hiking upstream; the further you get from the parking lot, the better the fishing gets.
- Stealth is Key: In the late summer and fall, the water is crystal clear. Wear drab clothing (greens/browns), avoid "lining" the fish with your fly line, and try to fish upstream so you stay behind the trout's field of vision.
- Check the Guage: Clear Creek is a freestone, meaning it's dependent on snowmelt. If there’s a sudden heatwave in June, it might be too chocolatey to fish. Use the USGS gauge at Buffalo to ensure flows are stable.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Wyoming law is strict regarding private property. You must have permission to fish on private land, and unlike some states, you cannot walk on the riverbed if the land on both sides is private. Stick to the Bighorn National Forest lands and the designated public access areas in Buffalo.
- Regulations: Always check the current Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) regulations. Generally, a standard fishing license and conservation stamp are required.
- Wildlife: You are in Bighorn country. While less common than in the Tetons, black bears and moose are present. Carry bear spray if you are hiking deep into the canyons.
- Gear Recommendation: A 9-foot 5-weight rod is the perfect "all-around" tool for Clear Creek. If you are staying strictly in the upper mountain canyons, a 7-foot 3-weight is a blast for the smaller brookies and rainbows.
Guide’s Final Word: Clear Creek isn't about counting fish; it's about the quality of the experience. It is a quintessential Wyoming mountain stream that rewards observant anglers and those willing to hike a mile or two off the beaten path. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Mid-day/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #20-22, Parachute Adams #18-22, BWO CDC Emerger #20-22 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella inermis | mayfly | June, July, August | Morning/Afternoon | #16-18 | Pheasant Tail #16-18, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Quigley Cripple #16-18 |
| Yellow Sally Isoperla spp. | stonefly | June, July, August | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Dry #14-16, Iron Sally #14-16, Stimulator #14-16 |
| Mother's Day Caddis Brachycentrus occidentalis | caddis | May | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Peacock Caddis #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | Morning/Day | #8-12 | Pat's Rubber Leg #8-12, Chubby Chernobyl #10-12, Golden Rogue Foam Stone #10-12 |
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. | mayfly | August, September | Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Sunken Trico Spinner #22-24 |
| Grasshoppers Orthoptera | terrestrial | August, September | Mid-day/Afternoon | #8-12 | Morrish Hopper #10-12, Fat Albert #8-12, Joe's Hopper #10-14 |
| Chironomids Midge | midge | March, April, November | All Day | #20-26 | Zebra Midge #20-24, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Mercury Midge #20-22 |