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Best Places to Fly Fish Near Denver This Weekend
Match the current hatches and fine-tune your approach with these top spots around Denver and expertly chosen fly patterns based on recent hatch reports.
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Spot-by-Spot Fly Selections & Hatch Timing
Clear Creek (Golden area)
- Drive time: ~25–30 min
- Top seasonal hatches (June–August): Caddis (#14–18), Golden Stoneflies (#8–10, late Jun–Jul), Midges (#20–24)
- Best flies:
- Dry: Elk Hair Caddis (#14–16), Yellow Stimulator (#12–14)
- Nymph: Beadhead Prince Nymph (#14–18), Barr’s Emerger (#18–22)
- Stonefly: Golden Stonefly nymph (#8–10)
- Timing: warm afternoons for caddis dries; early flow windows for midges or stoneflies
VIEW FULL REPORT
Bear Creek (Evergreen/Morrison)
- Drive time: ~35 min
- Hatches: Caddis, BWOs (#16–20), midges (#20–24) during summer
- Recommended flies:
- CDC Caddis (#16–18)
- Parachute Adams (#16–18)
- RS2 (#20–22) or Zebra Midge (#22–24)
- Tip: Focus midge and BWO dry windows mid- to late-morning, then switch to caddis pupae/emerger
VIEW FULL REPORT
Waterton Canyon / South Platte Tailwater
- Drive time: ~35–40 min
- Hatches: Midges, PMDs, BWOs (Jun–Aug), early tricos
- Fly picks:
- Nymph: RS2 (#20–22), Zebra Midge (#20–24)
- Emergers/dry: Barr’s BWO Emerger (#18–22), Graphic Caddis (#16–18), Elk Hair Caddis (#16)
- Best practice: Nymph deep early; fish dries when surface activity rises late morning
VIEW FULL REPORT
South Boulder Creek (below Gross Reservoir)
- Drive time: ~45 min
- Hatches: Caddis, BWOs, midges (similar timing to Bear & Platte)
- Suggested patterns:
- Dry: CDC Caddis (#16–18), Parachute Adams (#16–18)
- Nymph: Pheasant Tail (#18), Griffith’s Gnat (#20–22)
- Strategy: Watch for visible BWO or caddis rises mid-morning and late afternoon
VIEW FULL REPORT
Dream Stream / Eleven Mile Tailwaters
- Drive time: ~60–75 min
- Known for: strong reports of midges, baetis, caddis, PMDs, and trico hatches
Detailed hatch chart & patterns for July:
| Hatch Period | Bugs | Matching Flies |
|---|---|---|
| early morning & cloudy | Midges, Baetis | Zebra Midge (#20–22), RS2 (#20–22) |
| mid-morning | PMD emergers | Barr’s PMD Emerger (#18–20) |
| noon–early afternoon | Caddis | Graphic Caddis (#16–18), Elk Hair Caddis (#16–18) |
| later morning | Trico sip rises | Trico Spinner (#22–24) |
| warm midday topwater | Terrestrial-rich zones | Foam Hopper (#10–12) |
| when windy or drop-off | Streamer targeting | Thin Mint (#10–12) alpineangling.com+11risebeyondflyfishing.com+11risebeyondflyfishing.com+11Big Y Fly Co+2thecatchandthehatch.com+2Big Y Fly Co+2 |
- Dry: Foam Hopper (#10–12)
- Nymph: Trico Nymph (#22–24)
- Emerger: RS2 (#20–22)
- Streamer: Thin Mint (#10–12)
When To Fish & Strategy Summary
- Best times: 7 AM–11 AM and after 4 PM — focus on dry fly and emerging bait-fish windows.
- Wind note: Open areas like Eleven Mile and South Park can blow midday—switch to nymphs or streamers accordingly.
- During heavy sun: Smaller creeks can shut down; jump ahead to tailwaters or switch to subsurface rigs.
Weekly Fly Box Quick Guide
| Spot | Rising Bugs | Dry Fly | Nymph/Emerger | Streamer / Terrestrial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek | Caddis, midges | Elk Hair Caddis #14–16 | Prince Nymph, Baetis emerger | n/a |
| Bear Creek | BWOs, caddis | CDC Caddis #16–18 | RS2, Zebra Midge | Hopper sometimes |
| Waterton Canyon | midges, PMDs | Graphic Caddis, Elk Hair | RS2, Zebra Midge | n/a |
| South Boulder Creek | BWOs, midges, caddis | CDC Caddis, Adams | Pheasant Tail, Griffith’s Gnat | n/a |
| Dream Stream / Eleven | midges, PMDs, tricos | Foam Hopper, Trico Spinner | RS2, Barr’s Emerger, Zebra Midge | Thin Mint streamer |
FAQs
With this updated chart-aligned fly guide, you’ll be tying on exactly what fish expect—and more importantly, where and when they’re rising. Small-sized midges, BWOs, and precise caddis patterns are key in tighter creeks. At Dream Stream and Eleven Mile, shifting tactics from emergers to spinners to hoppers gives you the edge.
FAQ: Fly Fishing Near Denver This Weekend
What’s the best time of day to fly fish near Denver in summer?
Early morning (7 AM to 11 AM) and late afternoon (after 4 PM) are your best windows. Midday sun shuts down surface feeding on smaller creeks, but tailwaters like Waterton or Eleven Mile can still produce with deep nymphs or streamers.
Do I need a fishing license to fly fish near Denver?
Yes. Anyone over 16 years old needs a valid Colorado fishing license, even in urban waters. You can purchase one online through Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Where can I catch trout closest to downtown Denver?
Clear Creek through Golden is your closest and most productive option. You’ll find brown and rainbow trout within 30 minutes of the city, especially from downtown Golden upstream toward Tunnel 1.
What flies are working this weekend?
This weekend’s top flies include:
- Elk Hair Caddis (#14–16) on Clear and Bear Creeks
- RS2 and Zebra Midges (#20–22) on Waterton Canyon and Dream Stream
- Foam Hoppers (#10–12) where terrestrials are active
- Check our fly chart above for full breakdowns by location.
What’s the most beginner-friendly river near Denver?
Bear Creek is ideal for beginners. It has easy access, forgiving fish, and productive dry fly fishing. Clear Creek is another strong candidate if you don’t mind a bit more traffic.
Is the Dream Stream worth the drive from Denver?
Yes—if you’re chasing larger trout and don’t mind a bit of technical water. It’s about 75 minutes from Denver, but worth it for trophy browns and cutbows, especially during hatch windows or overcast days.
Are guided trips available for these locations?
Absolutely. Local outfits like Blue Quill Angler, Colorado Trout Hunters, and Front Range Anglers offer walk-and-wade trips to all the rivers listed. Some guides will even tailor the day based on the exact hatch chart we’ve shared.
Where can I check river flows and hatch updates in real-time?
Use the USGS stream gauge app or visit Rise Beyond Fly Fishing’s River Reports for weekly insights, flow rates, hatch activity, and fly selection tips.
