Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report 1/6/25

Clear Creek runs straight through the foothills corridor west of Denver, and winter turns it into a gritty, technical creek that rewards effort more than elegance. Flowing through Golden, this stretch offers cold, fast water, opportunistic trout, and far fewer anglers than the South Platte when temperatures drop. If you want true fly fishing near Denver without the tailwater crowds, Clear Creek fly fishing remains a realistic winter option.

Updated: January 6, 2026

Clear Creek is holding in a typical winter freestone pattern. Flows are low to moderate, water is cold and clear, and trout are stacked tight to structure where current softens. Feeding windows are short and usually tied to brief midday warming when sunlight hits shallow edges and seams.

This week’s Clear Creek fly fishing report is about efficiency. Fish are not feeding aggressively, but they are feeding. Small midges, compact nymphs, and short drifts through high percentage water are producing the best results. Cover water methodically and expect fewer bites, but solid fish.

Listen to the Audio Overview

Conditions Summary

• Flow: Low to moderate winter freestone flow
• Water Temperature: Cold with minimal midday increase
• Air Temperature: Cold mornings, short afternoon warming
• Clarity: Clear
• Crowds: Light overall, heavier near roadside pull offs
• Best Window: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Fishing Type Focus: Winter nymphing in pocket water and slower seams

Weather

Golden, Colorado Weather

Expect foothills winter conditions. Cold mornings, occasional wind, and brief warming midday before temperatures fall quickly again. Calm sunny days fish best. Wind and snowmelt events can reduce visibility and shut down feeding.

Top Flies in Your Box This Week

1. Black Beauty 20 to 24
2. Mercury Midge 20 to 24
3. Zebra Midge (black or red) 20 to 24
4. RS2 (black or gray) 20 to 24
5. WD-40 20 to 24
6. Small Pheasant Tail 18 to 20
7. Stonefly Nymph (black) 12 to 16
8. Mini Leech (black) 12 to 14

Pro Rig of the Week: Clear Creek Pocket Rig

• Indicator: Small yarn or minimal pinch-on indicator
• Lead Fly: Small Pheasant Tail 18 to 20
• Dropper: Black Beauty or Zebra Midge 20 to 22
• Weight: One small split shot placed close to the flies
• Target Water: Plunge pools, pocket tails, and short soft seams

Clear Creek Hatch Chart for December

Access Points

Golden – Clear Creek Trail
Easiest access, consistent pocket water, and ideal winter depth control practice.
⭐ 4.6

Black Rock Area
Deep canyon pockets, excellent winter structure, and low pressure.
⭐ 4.5

Lawson
Classic Clear Creek runs with mixed depth and slower winter lanes.
⭐ 4.4

Idaho Springs – Upstream Pullouts
Cold but stable flows; great for short sessions and testing small patterns.
⭐ 4.4

Kermit’s to Downstream Pullouts
Variable flows but solid winter holding seams in mid-depth water.
⭐ 4.3

Local Regulations & Notes

• Watch for ice shelves forming along shaded canyon walls
• Stay off redds in shallow gravel near Golden
• Parking can be limited on weekend afternoons
• Water depth changes quickly around boulders; adjust weight often
• Fish wintering in deep pockets require soft, quiet approaches

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

FAQ

Is Clear Creek Good for Fly Fishing in Winter?

Yes. Clear Creek offers consistent winter trout fishing near Denver, especially for anglers comfortable fishing pocket water and moving often.

How Close Is Clear Creek to Denver?

Clear Creek runs directly through Golden, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Denver, making it one of the closest mountain fly fishing options on the Front Range.

Q: Is Clear Creek worth fishing in December?
A: Yes, but you must fish slow winter pockets with tiny midge nymphs.

Q: Are dries possible?
A: Rare, but midge clusters can appear on warm, still afternoons in Golden.

Q: What section fishes best in winter?
A: Mid-canyon pockets between Lawson and Black Rock offer the most stable winter structure.

Q: What tippet do I need?
A: 5X for anchors, 6X for tiny midges.

Q: Does water clarity matter here?
A: Absolutely; Clear Creek's trout get spooky in low clear flows.

Q: How long should I fish it?
A: Focus tight: two to three hours during the midday warming window.

Companion Article for December

Colorado Winter Trout Fishing Strategy & Behavior Guide