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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.
Updated: 11/24/2025
Clear Creek is low, clear, and unforgiving, but the trout are still feeding if you give them a reason to. Winter pocket water here rewards patience more than distance, so plan on fishing closer than you think. Most of the action arrives once the canyon warms enough for midges to get moving. Expect tiny patterns and tiny eats in tight, cold water. Walk slow, stay low, and let the creek tell you where the fish live today.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Conditions Summary
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Flow: 24 to 47 CFS
Water Temp: 35 to 38
Air Temp: 34 to 52
Clarity: Clear
Crowds: Low
Best Window: 11 am to 3 pm
5 Day Weather Forecast
Sun: 35 to 42, clear
Mon: 28 to 48, clouds
Tue: 31 to 47, clouds
Wed: 32 to 43, clouds
Thu: 30 to 43, light snow
Top Flies in Your Box
Winter fishing here is all about small, precise confidence patterns. These are the flies that consistently produce when flows are low and trout are wary.
Hatch Chart for November
Primary: Midges
Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, Top Secret Midge
Secondary: Baetis
RS2, WD40, Barrs BWO
Tertiary: Winter Stones
Micro Stone, Little Black Stone patterns
Pro Rig of the Week
- Low Flow Pocket Nymph Rig for Clear Creek
- 9 ft 5x
- Top Secret Midge 20
- Dropper: Black Beauty 22
- Light split shot
- Small yarn or pinch-on indicator set shallow
Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐⭐
Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer: ⭐⭐⭐
Access Points
Lawson Pull Offs
Steep pocket water with consistent winter structure.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Empire Canyon Water
Short seams, fast transitions, good for tight line work.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Golden Canyon Stretch
More space, easier wading, slightly deeper buckets.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Local Regulations and Notes
Mixed land access signs through the canyon
Some shelf ice early in the day
Flows remain low and clear
Small flies, soft presentations
FAQ
Q: Can I fish dries right now?
A: Only during mid-day warmth and only small midges.
Q: Is Clear Creek too low?
A: No. Low but perfectly fishable with precise nymphing.
Q: Are streamers worth it this week?
A: Fair, and best with cloud cover.
Q: Best spot for beginners?
A: Golden provides slower water and easier entry points.
Q: Any ice issues?
A: Light shelf ice in shaded upper canyon sections.
Q: Best time to fish?
A: 11 am to 3 pm when temps bump up.
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
