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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.
Clear Creek at Golden is running 98 CFS, clear, and very approachable for fall fishing. Tricos dominate the bug menu right now, with spinner falls keeping trout active in the early hours. Once the sun hits the canyon, trout slide into pocket water and seams, where small nymph rigs with baetis or WD-40s are the ticket.
Afternoon fishing slows but isn’t dead — a foam emerger or small bugger in shadowy runs can pick off fish that tuck away from bright light. Pressure is medium; Golden access points get traffic, but hiking upstream quickly finds elbow room.
Listen to the Podcast
Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Golden Creek Dispatch
We cover why Tricos are still king here, how to fish pocket water effectively, and the streamer tweaks that actually move fish in skinny water.
Conditions Summary
- Flow Rate: 98 CFS — perfect for wading and covering pocket water
- Water Temp: High 40s°F — cool and safe for trout activity
- Air Temp: Upper 40s°F mornings, climbing into 70s by afternoon
- Clarity: Clear — trout easily spooked
- Best Times: 7–10 AM for Trico spinner falls; dusk for a small streamer swing
- Fishing Pressure: Medium — popular, especially near Golden, but thins with a walk
- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ — solid action if you stay stealthy
Hatch Chart – September at Golden
| Insect Group | Presence |
|---|---|
| Tricos | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| BWOs | ⭐⭐ |
| Midges | ⭐⭐ |
| Caddis | ⭐ |
| Terrestrials | ⭐ |
Notes: Tricos dominate mornings. BWOs are light but can pop with clouds. Midges remain a staple for nymph rigs.
Flies to Tie On
Nymphs / Emergers
- Two-Bit Hooker (#16)
- WD-40 (#20)
- RS2 (#20-22)
- Zebra Midge (#22)
Dries / Terrestrials
- Trico Spinner (#22)
- Foam Wing Emerger (#20)
- Parachute Adams (#20-22)
- Micro Hopper (#14-16, fading)
Streamers
- Black Bugger (#10)
- Slumpbuster (#10-12)
- Mini Leech (#12, olive/black)
Tactical Playbook
- Morning (7–10 AM): Trico spinner fall in slower water. Match size and keep drifts drag-free.
- Midday: Pocket water nymphing with WD-40s, RS2s, and hooker patterns. Light weight, short drifts.
- Evening (4–7 PM): Swing small streamers in shadows, or prospect with a foam emerger.
- Rig Note: 9–10 ft leaders with 6X for dries; 5X fluoro for nymphs.
Access & Flow Zones
- Downtown Golden: Easy access, high pressure, great for quick hits.
- Upstream toward Clear Creek Canyon: Pocket water, fewer anglers, prime for dry-dropper rigs.
- Golden Gate Canyon junctions: Cooler, less pressured water.
FAQs – Clear Creek (Golden)
Q: Is the creek too low?
A: No, 98 CFS is perfect for wading. Just fish with stealth.
Q: Best bug right now?
A: Trico spinners in the morning.
Q: Do streamers work in skinny water?
A: Yes, small buggers and leeches moved slowly.
Q: Where’s easiest access?
A: Right through downtown Golden or the pull-offs in Clear Creek Canyon.
Q: Best rod setup?
A: 8’6”–9’ 4 wt for dries, 5 wt if you plan to streamer fish.
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