--- title: Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report 12/16/25 description: Updated Clear Creek fly fishing report near Denver Colorado with winter flows, clarity, weather, top flies, access points, and cold-season trout strategy. image: https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Clear%20Creek%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Golden%20Colorado.png --- [Skip to content](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-12/16/25#main-content) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 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[Clear Creek](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/clear-creek), - [River Report](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/river-report), - [Colorado Front Range](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/colorado-front-range), - [Golden Colorado Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/golden-colorado-fly-fishing), - [Most Popular](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/most-popular), - [Best Fly Fishing Near Denver Today](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/best-fly-fishing-near-denver-today), - [Fly Fishing Near Denver](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/fly-fishing-near-denver) # Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report 12/16/25 - December 18, 2025 ![Tymothe Meskel](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(33).png) [Tymothe Meskel](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/author/tymothe-meskel) The creek is running low and clear, trout are stacked tight in deep winter pockets, and every drift needs to be intentional. Expect short but productive midday feeding windows when sunlight warms the canyon just enough to wake fish up. This is classic **Clear Creek winter fly fishing**: compact water, fast reads, and technical presentations in tight quarters.   ![Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report near Golden Colorado](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Clear%20Creek%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Golden%20Colorado.png?width=900&height=675&name=Clear%20Creek%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Golden%20Colorado.png) --- Updated: December 15, 2025 **Clear Creek near Denver** is firmly in winter mode. Low flows, cold water, and excellent clarity define the fishing right now. Trout are holding in deeper pockets, behind boulders, and along slow inside seams where they can conserve energy and feed efficiently when conditions line up. This week’s update for **Clear Creek fly fishing** is all about water choice. Skip the fast skinny riffles and focus on deeper runs, pocket tails, and any structure that creates a soft lane next to current. Midges dominate the menu, with occasional baetis activity on milder afternoons. Keep your approach quiet and your drifts short and clean. #### Listen to the Audio Overview Winter\_Fly\_Fishing\_Clear\_Creek\_Strategy 4:26   --- ## Conditions Summary ![rise beyond fly fihsing company in denver colorado a guide rating for a stream. Good is 5 trout. This rating is for 2 trout. So challenging fishing conditions.](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Guide%20Ratings/Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(4).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(4).png) **Flow:** Low winter baseflow typical for Clear Creek **Water Temperature:** Low to mid 30s **Air Temperature:** High 30s to low 40s during the day, colder mornings **Clarity:** Clear **Crowds:** Light in winter, occasional foot traffic near pullouts **Best Window:** 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. **Fishing Type Focus:** **Pocket water nymphing** with small midges and precise depth control --- ### Weather   [GOLDEN WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/39d76n105d22/golden/?unit=us)   Idaho Springs Colorado Weather Cold mornings give way to brief midday warmth as the sun reaches the canyon floor. Calm sunny days offer the best fishing. Windy afternoons shorten feeding windows and make already technical water harder to fish effectively. --- ## Top Flies in Your Box This Week - **Black Beauty** 20 to 24 - **Zebra Midge** (black or red) 20 to 22 - **Mercury Midge** 20 to 22 - **RS2** (black or gray) 20 to 22 - **WD-40** 20 to 22 - **Small Pheasant Tail** 18 to 20 - **Juju Baetis** 20 to 22 - **Mini Leech** (black) 12 to 14 > #### Pro Rig of the Week: Clear Creek Pocket Rig - Indicator: Small yarn or minimal air-lock - Lead Fly: **Small Pheasant Tail** 18 to 20 - Dropper: **Black Beauty** or **Zebra Midge** 20 to 22 - Weight: One small split shot adjusted to maintain bottom contact without snagging - Target Water: Deep pocket tails, slow seams behind boulders, and winter holding slots --- ## **Clear Creek Hatch Chart for December** | Bug Type | Size | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Midges | 20–26 | Primary winter food source; trout feed mostly subsurface. | | Baetis Nymphs | 20–22 | Occasional movement during warm spells. | | Micro Stoneflies | 16–18 | Sparse but always worth an anchor fly. | #### Download the Clear Creek Hatch Chart   --- ## **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 --- ## **FAQ** **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**](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/winter-fly-fishing-guide-colorado-2025)   --- ### **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](https://newterrainbrewing.com)** ![Visit — New Terrain Brewing Company in Golden, CO](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/555a094ce4b03ef2fe2cf6bf/9e162991-e454-4d51-9f93-1e59ee9589dc/GLVTY-23-06-15-09886-2.jpg) Blog Post ## Related Articles [![Clear creek fly fishing report from rise beyond fly fishing. 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[Read more](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-12/30/25) [![Clear creek fly fishing report from rise beyond fly fishing. Colorado fly fishing reports](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Clear%20Creek%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Golden%20Colorado.png)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-12/5/25) [Clear Creek](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/clear-creek), [River Report](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/river-report), [Colorado Front Range](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/colorado-front-range), [Golden Colorado Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/golden-colorado-fly-fishing), [Best Fly Fishing Near Denver Today](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/best-fly-fishing-near-denver-today), [Fly Fishing Near Denver](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/fly-fishing-near-denver) ### [Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report 12/5/25](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-12/5/25) December 1, 2025 Welcome to Clear Creek, Colorado, where the trout are wily and the water is swift! This picturesque creek runs parallel... [Read more](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-12/5/25) [![Clear Creek is not forgiving water, especially in winter. It is steep, tight, cold, and fast, with trout that live in short lanes and make quick decisions.](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Clear%20Creek%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Golden%20Colorado.png)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-1/20/26) [Clear Creek](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/clear-creek), [River Report](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/river-report), [Colorado Front Range](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/colorado-front-range), [Golden Colorado Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/golden-colorado-fly-fishing), [Most Popular](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/most-popular), [Best Fly Fishing Near Denver Today](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/best-fly-fishing-near-denver-today), [Fly Fishing Near Denver](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/fly-fishing-near-denver) ### [Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report 1/20/26](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/clear-creek-fly-fishing-report-1/20/26) January 20, 2026 Clear Creek runs straight through the foothills corridor west of Denver, and winter turns it into a gritty, technical... 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