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Boulder Creek is a true front range option when you want moving water close to town, short sessions between errands, and a chance at scrappy trout that live in pocket water year round. In winter it is not a numbers game, but it is a consistency game. If you match the small-food reality and focus on the right water, Boulder Creek can fish better than people expect for fly fishing near Boulder.
Updated: January 6, 2026
Right now Boulder Creek is a classic winter small-stream setup. Flows are low, water is clear, and wind is the main wildcard. When it is calm, the creek rewards tight drifts through seams and the slow edges behind structure. When the wind is ripping, your best move is to shorten your leader, fish heavier, and target micro-holding water where trout can feed without spending energy.
The key is efficiency. One or two clean drifts through the right slot beats blind casting all day. Keep patterns small, keep depth honest, and accept that your best bites come in short midday windows.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Conditions Summary
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- Flow: 15.9 CFS (low winter flow)
- Water Temperature: No Data
- Air Temperature: 45.1 °F
- Wind: 35.7 mph (high, will impact presentation)
- Clarity: Clear
- Crowds: Medium (more foot traffic than angling pressure)
- Best Window: Midday
- Fishing Type Focus: Winter nymphing with micro patterns and short drifts
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Weather
Boulder Colorado Weather
Wind is the headline. Expect difficult casting and faster cold-water shutdown on exposed stretches. If you can, fish protected bends, stretches with tree cover, or canyon pockets where wind is blocked. Calm, sunny periods are your best shot for consistent feeding behavior.
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
- Griffith’s Gnat #24
- Black Beauty #22 to #24
- Zebra Midge #20 to #24
- RS2 (black or gray) #20 to #24
- WD-40 #20 to #22
- Juju Baetis #20 to #22
- Top Secret Midge #24
- Mini Leech (black) #12 to #14 (only if you find deeper winter buckets)
Pro Rig of the Week: Boulder Creek Short-Pocket Rig
- Indicator: Small yarn or tiny pinch-on indicator (keep it minimal)
- Lead Fly: Black Beauty #22 to #24
- Dropper: Zebra Midge #20 to #24 or Top Secret Midge #24
- Weight: One small split shot 8 to 12 inches above the lead fly (add or remove until you tick bottom occasionally)
- Tippet: 5X to the lead, 6X to the dropper when water is glassy
- Target Water: Soft edges, tailouts below small drops, and pockets behind boulders where current slows
Hatch Chart for December
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 20 to 26 | Primary winter food source; consistent all month |
| Baetis nymphs | 20 to 24 | Sporadic; best on warmer, cloudier days |
| Scuds | 14 to 18 | Secondary option in slower, weedy edges |
| Winter stoneflies | 14 to 18 | Occasional near banks and woody structure |
Access Points
Boulder Canyon Pull-Offs and Pocket Water ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Short drifts, lots of structure, and better winter holding water than the flatter urban stretches.
Downtown Boulder Walk-and-Wade Sections ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Accessible, but more foot traffic and fewer classic winter buckets. Best for quick sessions with small flies.
East Boulder Creek (when clear and wadable) ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Can produce, but tends to be more exposed and wind-sensitive. Pick protected bends.
Protected Bends and Structure Zones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Anywhere you can find slower edges, deeper slots, and cover from wind will fish best right now.
Local Regulations & Notes
- Winter flows are extremely low; avoid spooking fish with heavy wading
- Watch for ice shelves along shaded bends
- Downtown sections see higher foot traffic; fish early or midday
- Be cautious of spawning redds in shallow gravel
- Barbless hooks strongly recommended
FAQ
Is Boulder Creek Good for Fly Fishing in Winter?
Yes. Boulder Creek offers consistent winter trout fishing close to Boulder, especially for anglers comfortable fishing pocket water and moving often.
How Does Boulder Creek Compare to Clear Creek?
Boulder Creek is slightly larger and more forgiving, while Clear Creek is tighter and more technical. Both reward short drifts and efficient movement in winter.
Q: Is Boulder Creek worth fishing in December?
A: Yes, especially the deeper town sections, but it’s a very technical small-stream winter fishery.
Q: Can I fish dries?
A: Only on the warmest afternoons when midge clusters appear.
Q: What section fishes best in winter?
A: Town stretches from Eben G. Fine to 28th Street.
Q: What tippet should I use?
A: 6X is mandatory for tiny midges in clear water.
Q: Is the canyon better than town?
A: The canyon is colder and more technical; fish town for more consistent winter action.
Q: What time should I fish?
A: Midday when temperatures rise a few degrees.
Companion Article for December
Stop Here After the River
Avery Brewing Co. – Gunbarrel
Not the busiest brewery in Boulder, but one of the most consistently excellent. Spacious taproom, warm seating, and perfect after-fish energy.
What to order: White Rascal or the Ellie’s Brown Ale. Pair it with the green chile queso fries for the full winter-warmup treatment.
