Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report | Only Worth Fishing If You Pick Your Spots

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.

Updated: February 10, 2026

Clear Creek in winter is fast, cold, and brutally honest. Low freestone flows compress trout into very specific pockets, short seams, and sheltered edges that only reveal themselves if you slow down enough to see them. Most of the river is unproductive right now, and that is the trap.

This is not water to wander or experiment on. Skip shallow riffles entirely and focus on depth created by rocks, ledges, and inside bends. When the sun reaches the canyon late morning, trout feed briefly and predictably. Miss that window and Clear Creek shuts down hard.

Listen to the Audio Overview

Clear Creek Conditions Summary

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: 23 CFS. Low winter freestone flows restrict trout to short pockets and protected seams.

Water Temperature: No Data °F

Air Temperature: 42 °F

Wind: 5 to 12 mph

Clarity: Clear

Crowds: Low

Primary Hatch: Midges

Best Window: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Overall Rating: Short but rewarding winter window for disciplined anglers

Weather

Top Flies in Your Box This Week

Primary Method: Nymphing | Primary Hatch: Midges

1. Zebra Midge 20 to 24
   Fish deep through short pocket water.
2. Black Beauty 22 to 24
   Dead drift tight to bottom behind rocks.
3. Thread Frenchie 18 to 20
   Subtle profile for pressured freestone trout.
4. RS2 gray 20 to 22
   Use when fish suspend slightly.
5. Top Secret Midge 20 to 24
   Drift through softer edges.
   
   

Secondary Hatch: Winter Stoneflies

1. Small Pat’s Rubber Legs black 14 to 16
   Drift tight to banks and boulders.
2. Stonefly Nymph brown or black 14 to 16
   Fish slow near structure.
3. Flashback Pheasant Tail 18 to 20
   Use when trout respond to slight flash.
   
   

Attractor and Streamer

1. Mini Leech black 12
   Short strips through deeper pockets.
2. Sculpzilla olive 10
   Slow swings through tailouts.

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

Download the Clear Creek Hatch Chart

Access Points

Tunnel One Pull Off | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Defined pocket water with consistent winter holds.

Golden Canyon Stretch | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Accessible seams near town access.

Lawson Canyon Bends | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5
Short drifts requiring precise depth.

Dumont Pull Offs | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0
Less structure but lighter pressure.

Upper Canyon Pockets | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0
Technical water with fewer reliable lanes.

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)