Bear Creek Fly Fishing Report: October Conditions and Top Flies

If Clear Creek is the scrappy little brother, Bear Creek is the quiet overachiever. It doesn’t brag, it just fishes. Clean drifts, clear water, and trout that love mid-day sunlight as much as you do. It’s running low, it’s running clear, and if you sneak up on it right, you’ll forget you’re 30 minutes from downtown Denver.

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Conditions Summary

Flows are near 20 CFS with clear water and cold mornings. The brown spawn is wrapped up, and fish are feeding again in deeper pockets and slower seams. BWOs and midges make up most of the bug activity, with a short surface window mid-day. Expect quiet conditions and strong catch rates if you stay subtle.

• Flow: ~20 CFS (steady)
• Water Temp: 44–48 °F
• Air Temp: 32–65 °F
• Clarity: Ultra clear
• Pressure: Light
• Best Times: 10 AM – 2 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

Conditions Note:
Stealth is everything. The water is skinny, the fish are spooky, and presentation beats pattern. Mid-day BWOs and double-midge rigs are your best bets.

October Hatch Chart

• Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) #20–22 10 AM–2 PM Light hatch, strong emerger bite
• Midges #22–26 All day Consistent sub-surface action
• Egg Drift All day Post-spawn browns feeding below riffles
  
  

Top 3 Dry Flies for October

• Parachute BWO #20 – Match the hatch mid-day
• Parachute Adams #18 – Great attractor for shallow seams
• Griffith’s Gnat #22 – Subtle surface pattern for midge clusters

Top 3 Nymphs for October

• RS2 (Gray #20–22) – Reliable trailer in small water
• Zebra Midge (Black or Red #22–24) – All-day workhorse pattern
• Beadhead Pheasant Tail #18 – Ideal for transition water and pockets

Streamer of the Month

Woolly Bugger #12 (Olive) – Use sparingly; short strips through shaded pools near structure.

Tips for Fishing Bear Creek

• Use 10–12 ft leaders with 6X tippet for clear water.
• Approach slowly; fish are holding tight to structure.
• Mid-day offers the best feeding window as temps rise.
• Focus on deep pockets and soft edges.
• Cloudy days help your odds with dries.
• Nymph light and stay short for better drift control.

Access Points

• Morrison Stretch: quick access, light pressure, solid mid-day hatch
• Lair o’ the Bear Park: best balance of depth and access, productive riffles
• Evergreen Below Dam: colder water, technical pocket fishing, quiet weekday spot
• O’Fallon Park: consistent runs, decent dry fly activity mid-day

Local Regulations & Notes

• Artificial flies and lures only
• Catch-and-release encouraged year-round
• Avoid redds and shallow gravel during brown trout recovery
• Check Jefferson County park hours; some close earlier in late fall

FAQ on Bear Creek

Q: Is Bear Creek still fishing in late October?
A: Yes, steady flows and cold but active fish.

Q: When’s the best time to fish?
A: 10 AM–2 PM once sunlight hits the water.

Q: Are browns still spawning?
A: Most are post-spawn and feeding again.

Q: What’s the best rig right now?
A: RS2 trailing a Zebra Midge on 6X tippet.

Q: Can I fish streamers?
A: Yes, small olive buggers work in deeper pools.

Q: Any closures?
A: None reported, but check park access hours.

Q: Is this stretch crowded?
A: Light mid-week, a few locals on weekends.

Q: Best access for quick fishing after work?
A: Morrison to Lair o’ the Bear section.

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