Boulder Creek Clear Water Wild Browns and Easy Action from Canyon to City

Boulder Creek is running clear and steady with just enough flow to keep trout comfortable and anglers smiling. The water through town fishes well all day, while the canyon stretch above Fourmile still has that wild, quiet feel.
This week the creek is full of midges, a few lingering BWOs, and plenty of eager browns ready to pounce on small nymphs and dries. Cool mornings and warm afternoons make for a perfect Front Range session before winter sets in.

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Conditions Summary

• Flow Rate: 20 to 30 cfs and stable
• Water Temperature: 44–48 °F
• Air Temperature: Highs in the mid 50s °F lows in the 30s °F
• Clarity: Very clear throughout town and canyon stretches
• Crowds: Light during weekdays, moderate on weekends
• Best Times to Fish: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fly Fishing Type Scores:
• Dry Fly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

5 Day Weather Forecast

Stable weather ahead with cold mornings and bright sun mid day. Expect calm conditions and no major shifts in flow or clarity.

Current Hatch Chart for November

Pro Rig of the Week

Guide setup: Run a 9 foot 5x leader with a #18 Tungsten Pheasant Tail followed by a #22 Zebra Midge 16 inches below on 6x tippet. Add a small split shot 8 inches above the lead fly and a yarn indicator. Cast upstream to short pockets and seams behind rocks, keeping drifts tight and controlled. A single well-presented drift beats twenty sloppy ones on this creek.

Top Flies for the Month

Dry Flies

1. Parachute Adams #18 for BWOs and general coverage
2. Griffiths Gnat #22 for midge clusters in calm water
3. Elk Hair Caddis #16 for shallow runs on sunny days

Nymphs

1. Tungsten Pheasant Tail #18 for fast riffles
2. Zebra Midge #22 for slower water
3. RS2 #20 grey or olive for selective fish mid day

Streamers

1. Mini Leech Olive #12 in shaded pools
2. Thin Mint Bugger #10 for deeper canyon runs
3. Slumpbuster Rust #8 for evening sessions

Tips Fly Fishing on Boulder Creek

• Seasonal Tip: Small flies, long leaders, and light tippet are key right now.
• Dry Fly: Focus on soft seams and slower edges where midges gather.
• Nymphing: Best method this week. Keep your drifts short and adjust depth often.
• Streamer Fishing: Use small natural patterns near cover late in the day.

Access Points

1. Boulder Canyon Drive Mile Marker 38–41 deep runs and wild trout ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Eben G. Fine Park to Downtown Boulder easy access and urban action ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
3. Fourmile Confluence Upstream quiet pocket water with fewer anglers ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Local Regulations and Landowner Notes

Flies and lures only within city limits. Catch and release recommended. Avoid walking through landscaped sections near bridges and respect private property boundaries through town.

FAQ on This Spot

• What are the current flows and clarity like
  Around 25 cfs and very clear.
• When is the best time to fish this stretch
  Late morning through mid afternoon.
• What flies are producing right now
  Tungsten Pheasant Tail Zebra Midge RS2.
• Can I wade or should I float
  Wading only throughout the creek.
• What species can I expect here
  Wild browns, small rainbows, and occasional brook trout.
• Any local shops or guides nearby
  Boulder-based outfitters provide walk and wade trips year round.

Stop Here After the River

After fishing Boulder Creek head to Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery on Pearl Street. It’s as Boulder as it gets — lively, local, and loaded with post-river energy. Order the FYIPA and the Junk Burger stacked with green chile and bacon. The place hums with that mix of climbing chalk and river stories that only Boulder can pull off.
https://mountainsunpub.com