Bear Creek Fly Fishing Report – October Conditions, Hatches & Top Flies

October on Bear Creek feels like the front range’s best-kept open secret - just not this week. The crowds are gone (flows are still tiny), the air smells like leaves and cold coffee, and the trout are flashing in the seam. It’s small-fly season - and patience pays bigger than a streamer ever could here.

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Conditions at a Glance

• Flow: ~18–22 CFS (⬇ below average)
• Water Temp: 46–50°F ⬇
• Air Temp: 34–68°F
• Clarity: Very clear
• Pressure: Light to moderate near Morrison
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐

Flows are skinny and the water’s glass-clear - perfect for technical fishing and sight casting. BWOs are steady on cloudy days, midges are producing in slow runs, and fish are stacked tight in deeper pools near structure. Small rigs and stealth are key to success right now.

Hatch Summary – October

• Blue-Winged Olives (BWO): #20–22; strong from late morning through early afternoon.
• Midges: #22–26; active all day; black and olive variations are best.
• Caddis: #18; rare but possible mid-day near riffles.
• Terrestrials: #16–18; fading fast; only worth a shot on sunny banks mid-day.

📥 Download the Full Bear Creek Hatch Chart PDF (mobile & printable).

Top Flies & Rigs for the Month

Dry Flies

• Hi-Vis BWO Parachute (#20–22):
  Rig: Single dry or dry-dropper with RS2 dropper on 6X tippet.
  How to Fish: Drift naturally in soft seams mid-day; avoid drag with short casts.
• Griffith’s Gnat (#22–24):
  Rig: Single dry fly for slow slicks.
  How to Fish: Ideal during subtle midge rises; fish upstream and let it dead drift.
• Parachute Adams (#20):
  Rig: Indicator-style dry with small nymph dropper.
  How to Fish: Best in transitional riffles where BWOs and midges mix.

Nymphs

• RS2 (Gray/Olive #22):
  Rig: Two-fly setup under small yarn indicator; 5–6X leader.
  How to Fish: Drift mid-column through slower tailouts.
• Zebra Midge (Black/Silver #22–24):
  Rig: Dropper fly below RS2 or small split shot.
  How to Fish: Focus on deeper pools and shady seams.
• Pheasant Tail (#18–20):
  Rig: Anchor fly in shallow runs.
  How to Fish: Short, high-stick drifts through riffles during mid-day warmth.

Streamer

• Mini Leech (Olive #12–14):
  Rig: 4X–5X tippet, no indicator.
  How to Fish: Cast upstream along banks, short strips through pocket water. Great option on cloudy afternoons.

Tips Fly Fishing Bear Creek

• Go small - #20–24 flies and 6X tippet will outfish anything big right now.
• Stay stealthy - low water means sight lines for fish (and for you).
• Focus mid-day when the sun warms the creek and hatches kick.
• Light dry-dropper rigs are deadly when BWOs overlap midges.
• Streamers work only if the water clouds after rain or snowmelt.

Access Points

• Lair o’ the Bear Park: classic access with mixed riffles and pools; great mid-day dry-dropper stretch.
• O’Fallon Park: ideal for short sessions; good structure and easy wading.
• Morrison Bridge Area: light pressure; productive deeper runs and slow glides.
• Evergreen Section: upstream, colder water, fewer anglers - great for midges and small nymphs.

• Local Regulations & Landowner Notes
• Artificial flies and lures only.
• Catch-and-release encouraged during brown trout spawn.
• Watch for low flow restrictions; check CPW updates before wading shallow sections.

• FAQ on this Spot
• What’s the best time to fish Bear Creek in October?
• 10 AM–3 PM when temps rise and BWOs are active.
• What’s the best rig right now?
• Small dry-dropper with a #20 BWO and RS2 dropper.
• Can I still use streamers?
• Yes - only in off-color water or late afternoon shade.
• How’s the crowding?
• Light during weekdays, moderate on weekends near Morrison.
• Is Bear Creek wadeable right now?
• Yes, but tread lightly - low flows mean easily spooked trout.
• What tippet size should I use?
• 6X for dries, 5X for nymphs, 4X for small streamers.
• Where do I find bigger fish?
• Deeper pools and shaded structure near O’Fallon and Lair o’ the Bear.
• Is it open all year?
• Yes - but winter icing begins in shaded upper sections by November

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