Clear Creek Colorado Small Water Big Browns and Quick Action Near Golden

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. 

Clear Creek might be the most underrated stretch of moving water on the Front Range. Right now, it’s cold, clean, and perfectly fishable from Golden all the way up past Black Hawk. Flows have settled, clarity is excellent, and trout are feeding predictably through midday.
This is small water fishing at its best — quick casts, light rigs, and more action than you’d expect ten minutes from the city.

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Conditions Summary

• Flow Rate: 45 to 60 cfs and stable
• Water Temperature: 44–48 °F
• Air Temperature: Highs in the 50s °F lows in the 30s °F
• Clarity: Very clear through most of the canyon
• Crowds: Light in the mornings, 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

Expect cool mornings with plenty of sun and calm afternoons. Evenings get cold fast as the canyon drops into shade.

Current Hatch Chart for November

Pro Rig of the Week

Guide setup: A 9 foot 5x leader to a #16 Tungsten Pheasant Tail with a #22 Zebra Midge 16 inches below on 6x tippet. Add one small split shot 8 inches above the top fly and a small yarn indicator. Focus on seams below the pocket water and short runs behind boulders. Keep the drift short and tight.

Top Flies for the Month

Dry Flies

1. Parachute Adams #18 for general coverage
2. Griffiths Gnat #22 for midge clusters
3. Stimulator Orange #14 for searching broken water

Nymphs

1. Tungsten Pheasant Tail #16 in fast riffles
2. Zebra Midge #22 for slower clear pools
3. RS2 #20 when BWOs appear mid day

Streamers

1. Mini Leech Olive #12 slow strip along boulders
2. Thin Mint Bugger #10 for deeper slots
3. Slumpbuster Black #8 late afternoon in shaded bends

Tips Fly Fishing on Clear Creek

• Seasonal Tip: Water temps drop quickly in shaded canyons so fish mid day for best action.
• Dry Fly: Target slower eddies near rocks where small fish rise to midges.
• Nymphing: Light rigs and accurate short drifts outperform heavy setups.
• Streamer Fishing: Best in lower sections near Golden where water runs deeper and wider.

Access Points

• Clear Creek Canyon Mile Markers 260–265 pocket water and short hikes ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• Golden Whitewater Park easy access for quick sessions ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
• Above Tunnel 1 toward Black Hawk less pressure wild browns ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Local Regulations and Landowner Notes

Flies and lures only in most stretches. Catch and release encouraged. Avoid trespassing near private pull offs and obey parking restrictions along Highway 6.

FAQ on This Spot

What are the current flows and clarity like
Around 50 cfs and very clear.

When is the best time to fish this stretch
Late morning through early afternoon.

What flies are producing right now
Tungsten Pheasant Tail Zebra Midge RS2.

Can I wade or should I float
Wading only with easy roadside access.

What species can I expect here
Wild browns and small rainbows with occasional brookies up high.

Any local shops or guides nearby
Golden based outfitters provide walk and wade trips year round.

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