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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.
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Updated: January 22, 2026
Clear Creek in winter strips everything down to fundamentals. Cold, clear water pushes trout into short, specific holding lanes where depth and drift matter more than fly choice. This is not forgiving water. Fish are tight to structure and will not move far, especially early.
The creek fishes best when you slow down and fish small water thoroughly. Focus on deeper pockets, inside bends, and slower seams behind rocks. Ignore fast riffles entirely. When the sun reaches the water late morning, trout become reachable for a short, technical window before shutting down again.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Clear Creek Conditions Summary
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Clear Creek is fishing fair to moderately challenging right now. Expect smaller trout, technical water, and rewards that come from precision rather than volume.
Flow: 85 CFS. Winter flows are steady and cold, concentrating fish in deeper pocket water and seams.
Water Temperature: No Data °F
Air Temperature: 49 °F
Wind: 6 to 12 mph
Clarity: Clear
Crowds: Medium
Primary Hatch: Midges
Best Window: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Overall Rating: Short but reliable winter fishing if fished slow and tight
Fishing Type Focus: Pocket-water winter nymphing and short controlled drifts
Weather
Golden, Colorado Weather
Cold mornings dominate early, with brief midday warming driving limited feeding windows. Calm, sunny days fish best. Wind and cloud cover noticeably shorten activity.
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Top Flies in Your Box This Week
Primary Method: Nymphing | Primary Hatch: Midges
Zebra Midge 18 to 22
Fish deep through slower pocket water.
Black Beauty 20 to 24
Dead drift tight to bottom behind structure.
RS2 gray 18 to 22
Use when fish suspend slightly off bottom.
Mercury Midge 20 to 22
Effective in clear, pressured water.
Top Secret Midge 20 to 24
Drift through soft inside seams.
Secondary Hatch: Baetis
Barrs Emerger 18 to 20
Fish mid column late morning.
Pheasant Tail 16 to 18
Dead drift through deeper runs.
Split Case BWO 18 to 20
Use during mild, calm afternoons.
Attractor and Streamer
Mini Leech black or olive 10 to 12
Slow strip through deeper pockets.
Woolly Bugger olive 8 to 10
Short swings through slower edges.
Pro Rig of the Week: Clear Creek Pocket Rig
Indicator: Small yarn indicator or tight-line setup
Lead Fly: Zebra Midge 22
Dropper: Top Secret Midge 22
Weight: One small split shot, adjusted to tick bottom occasionally
Target Water: Pocket water behind boulders, soft edges, and short canyon seams
Short drifts matter here. If your indicator drifts more than six to eight feet without adjustment, you are likely missing the zone.
Clear Creek Hatch Chart – February
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 18 to 26 | Primary winter food source |
| Baetis nymphs | 18 to 22 | Secondary on mild afternoons |
| Scuds | 16 to 18 | Opportunistic in slower water |
Download the Clear Creek Hatch Chart
Clear Creek Winter Strategy
Fish slower than you think you should. Shorten your drifts. Reset constantly. Trout here feed opportunistically, not aggressively, and they will not chase sloppy presentations.
Clear Creek is a confidence stream. When it clicks, it clicks fast. When it doesn’t, it teaches lessons quickly.
Access Points
Tunnel 1 Area | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Classic pocket water with winter holding fish.
Lawson Pull-Offs | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Defined seams and deeper runs near bends.
Dumont Access | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5
Mixed pocket water requiring careful drifts.
Idaho Springs Stretch | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0
Easy access with fewer prime winter lanes.
Golden Canyon Section | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0
Lower gradient water, best midday only.
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
Best Fly Fishing Near Denver (4 Easy-Access Rivers and Creeks That Fish Year-Round)
