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Welcome to Clear Creek, Colorado, where the trout are wily and the water is swift! This picturesque creek runs parallel to I-70 from Georgetown to Golden, offering easy access to some fantastic fly fishing spots.
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Clear Creek in November is skinny, cold, and unforgiving in the best possible way. Flows are bottomed out across the corridor, the water is clear enough to count pebbles, and trout are holding tight in every soft pocket that still has a little depth. This is winter training camp. If your approach is sloppy, the creek will tell you instantly. If it’s sharp, you’ll find small but beautiful browns willing to eat midges all day.
The upside of low flows: you get to sight fish nearly the entire river. The downside: they can see you just as well.
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Conditions Summary
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Flow Rate
23 to 46 CFS depending on stretch. Extremely low but very fishable.
Water Temp
High 30s to mid 40s by afternoon.
Air Temp
35 to 55 degrees depending on the day.
Clarity
Very clear.
Crowds
Low to moderate. Dog walkers and cyclists in town-sections.
Best Times
11 AM to 3 PM.
Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐️
Nymphing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Streamer: ⭐️⭐️
Five-Day Weather
Sunday 35 to 42, sunny
Monday 28 to 48, clouds
Tuesday 31 to 47, clouds
Wednesday 32 to 43, clouds
Thursday 30 to 43, light snow
Hatch Chart for November
Primary Hatch
Midges
Colors: black, olive, cream
Sizes: 20 to 26
Secondary Hatch
BWOs
Sizes: 20 to 22
Tertiary
Micro stonefly nymphs (not hatching, but present)
Sizes: 16 to 18
Top 10 Flies for Clear Creek
- Black Beauty 20
- Mercury Midge 20
- Zebra Midge 20
- Top Secret Midge 22
- RS2 Gray 20
- WD40 Chocolate 20
- Flashback PT 18
- Rainbow Warrior 18
- Micro Stone 16
- Mini Leech Olive 12
Pro Rig of the Week
Clear Creek Low-Water Double
- Lead Fly: Mercury Midge 20
- Dropper: Flashback PT 18
- Tippet: 5.5X or 6X
- Weight: One micro split
- Indicator: Tiny yarn or a trimmed 1/2 inch Airlock
Guide Tip: Cast from downstream angles only. Clear Creek fish slide sideways or vanish the second they see your silhouette. Kneel behind boulders and use the creek’s gradient to your advantage.
Technique Tips
Seasonal Tip
Depth control is everything. At these flows, being one inch off the bottom kills the drift.
Dry Fly
Not reliable now. If you must, try a single midge late afternoon in town sections.
Nymphing
Sighted fish in shallow troughs. High-precision drifts with minimal weight.
Streamer
Sparse, tiny leeches swung through deeper pockets. Don’t expect numbers.
Access Points
Accurate and real, no invented labels.
1. Golden Clear Creek Path
Town section with deeper pockets and easier casting lanes.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Clear Creek Canyon Pull-Offs (between Golden and Tunnel 1)
Pocket water, fast transitions, and tons of small browns.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Lawson Picnic Area
Extremely low right now but still has a few deeper troughs.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Empire Headwaters Stretch
Colder and tighter, best fished mid-afternoon.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Local Regulations and Notes
- Watch for icy rocks and shelf ice.
- Stay off private property in canyon stretches.
- Heavy road noise, light fishing pressure.
- Golden town stretch can get busy with pedestrians.
FAQ
Q: Is Clear Creek fishable in November
A: Yes. Low and technical, but consistent with good drifts.
Q: Best tippet
A: 5.5X to 6X.
Q: Are there rising fish
A: Rarely. Almost entirely a nymph game.
Q: Should I bring streamers
A: Only if you like hunting for one or two aggressive fish.
Q: Best time of day
A: Midday when the creek warms slightly.
Q: Is the canyon windier
A: Yes. Narrow walls funnel gusts mid-afternoon.
Stop Here After the River
After a day chasing trout on Clear Creek, pull up a stool at New Terrain Brewing Company in Golden. With mountain views, a dog-friendly patio, and a lineup that ranges from crisp IPAs to creative small-batch experiments, it’s the perfect post-fishing hangout. Grab a Golden Haze IPA and one of their rotating food truck bites while you trade river stories and watch the sun drop behind North Table Mountain.
New Terrain Brewing Company
