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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.
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.
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Conditions Summary
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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
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
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
