Boulder Creek Fishing Report 2025. Flows, Winter Tactics, and Where to Find Trout Today

Updated: 11/19/2025

Boulder Creek in November is small, quiet, and surprisingly productive if you shrink your flies, lighten your rig, and slow everything down. Flows are low all across town and the canyon, the water is gin clear, and trout are podded up in deeper wintering pockets where they’ll eat midges all day as long as you’re stealthy.

This is the best time of year to sight fish Boulder Creek. It’s also the best time of year to spook everything within thirty feet if you walk heavy. Treat this creek like a spring creek in miniature and it will reward you.

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Conditions Summary

Flow Rate
Very low November flows. Consistent across town and canyon.

Water Temp
Mid 40s afternoons, low 40s mornings.

Air Temp
41 to 60 degrees depending on day.

Clarity
Clear to ultra-clear.

Crowds
Moderate. Boulder always has foot traffic, even in cold weather.

Best Times
11 AM to 3 PM.

Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐️⭐️
Nymphing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Streamer: ⭐️⭐️

Five Day Weather

Sunday 45 to 52, clear
Monday 38 to 55, clouds
Tuesday 41 to 60, clouds
Wednesday 37 to 51, clouds
Thursday 39 to 56, clouds

Hatch Chart for November

Primary Hatch
Midges
Colors: black, grey, cream
Sizes: 20 to 26

Secondary Hatch
BWOs
Sizes: 20 to 22

Tertiary
Sowbugs (town water)
Sizes: 16 to 18

Top 10 Flies for Boulder Creek

1. Mercury Midge 20
2. Black Beauty 22
3. Top Secret Midge 22
4. RS2 Gray 20
5. WD40 Chocolate 20
6. Rainbow Warrior 18
7. Flashback PT 18
8. Juju Baetis 20
9. Mini Leech Olive 12
10. Soft Hackle PT 16

Pro Rig of the Week

Boulder Creek Winter Micro Rig

• Lead Fly: Mercury Midge 20
• Dropper: RS2 Gray 20
• Tippet: 6X
• Weight: None or one micro split only
• Indicator: Tiny yarn or a micro Airlock
  Guide Tip: Think “micro presentation.” Move slow, crouch low, and drift flies through knee-deep water where trout stack up in winter.

Technique Tips

Seasonal Tip
Aim for slower, slightly deeper winter pockets. Boulder Creek fish move tight to structure as temps drop.

Dry Fly
Possible near Eben G. Fine Park on warm afternoons. Small midges only.

Nymphing
Deadly right now. Long, drag-free drifts through town glides.

Streamer
Go small. Tiny leeches swung through canyon pockets can move a few fish.

Access Points

Accurate, real, well-known public stretches only.

1. Boulder Canyon Pull-Offs (Lower Canyon)
Classic pocket water with enough depth to hold winter fish. Best clarity.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2. Fourmile Canyon Dr. Confluence
Deep buckets and soft inside bends. Great for late fall nymphing.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3. Eben G. Fine Park
Town water with slower glides. Good sight fishing when temps rise.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4. Boulder Library Section
Urban but stable flows and deeper structure.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

5. CU Campus Stretch
Less pressure, easy access, trout stack in deeper pockets.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Local Regulations and Notes

• Watch for icy rocks early morning.
• Heavy foot and bike traffic, especially in town.
• Respect all private property signs along canyon roads.

FAQ

Q: Does Boulder Creek fish well in November
A: Yes. Low, clear, and surprisingly steady.

Q: Are dries possible
A: Occasionally in town during warm mid-afternoon windows.

Q: What tippet should I use
A: 6X. Sometimes 5.5X in canyon water.

Q: Best fly size
A: 20 to 26.

Q: Is the canyon better than town right now
A: Clarity is better in the canyon, but town has deeper wintering water.

Q: Should I bring streamers
A: Only small leeches. Big streamers won’t move fish this time of year.

Stop Here After You Fish

The Tune Up at McDevitt Taco Supply — Boulder, CO
A real, open, always-solid Boulder spot just minutes from the creek. Grab a plate of tacos, order the house margarita or a local draft beer, and warm back up after chasing trout in winter water. It’s casual, fast, and hits perfectly after fishing town stretches.
Website: https://www.mcdevitttaco.com