Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report (Sept 29, 2025) – Trico Frenzy & Pocket-Water Playbook

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 is running crisp at 73 CFS in Golden and skinnier at 26 CFS near Empire, with clear water and pocket-sized trout that fight way above their weight class. This is textbook fall creek fishing: stealth, finesse, and size 20-24 bugs. If you’re looking for a quick Denver escape, this is as close to a slam dunk as Front Range fly fishing gets.

Crowds? Moderate near town, thinner upstream. Flows are low, fish are spooky, and presentations need to be dead-drift tight. Tricos are the headline hatch, with BWOs lurking on cooler/cloudier afternoons.

Listen to the Podcast

Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Clear Creek Dispatch
We talk tiny bugs, spooky trout, and why a size 22 emerger is the best flex you can throw at Clear Creek in late September.

Conditions Summary

• Flow Rate: 73 CFS (Golden), 26 CFS (Empire) – skinny but fishable
• Water Temp: Low 60s°F mid-day; cooler mornings
• Air Temp: 50s–70s°F range, classic fall swing
• Clarity: Clear — trout spot you before you spot them
• Best Times: 7–11 AM for Tricos; cloudy PMs bring BWO pops
• Fishing Pressure: Medium — heavier near Golden, lighter upriver
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — solid if you fish light, stealthy, and smart. 

Hatch Chart – September on Clear Creek

Notes: Tricos drive mornings. Cloud cover boosts BWO hatches. Midges keep nymphing productive all day.

Flies to Tie On

Nymphs / Emergers

• Foam Wing Emerger (#20–22, gray/olive) – money fly under Trico dries.
• WD-40 (#20–22, brown/black) – reliable BWO/baetis profile.
• Two-Bit Hooker (#16, brown/olive) – anchor in skinny runs.
• Zebra Midge (#20–22, black/silver) – subsurface insurance.

Dries / Terrestrials

• Trico Spinner (#22–24, CDC wing) – morning essential.
• Blue Wing Olive Parachute (#20–22) – cloudy day switch hitter.
• Parachute Adams (#20–22) – universal confidence fly.
• Micro Chubby (#16–18, tan/purple) – doubles as visibility aid for tiny droppers.

Streamers

• Black Woolly Bugger (#10–12) – low-light or deeper slots.
• Slumpbuster (natural/black, #10) – swing through pools near Empire.

Tactical Playbook

• Morning: Trico spinner falls. Fish slow pools and slicks with tiny dries trailed by emergers.
• Midday: Nymph skinny riffles with a Two-Bit Hooker anchor and WD-40 trailer.
• Afternoon: Watch for BWOs if clouds roll in; Parachute BWO or Adams covers the rise.
• Evening: Toss a small black bugger into shadowed bends.

Access & Flow Zones

• Golden Canyon Stretch: Easy access, higher traffic, solid Trico water.
• Idaho Springs: Smaller runs, good mix of dries/nymphs, lighter pressure.
• Empire: Pocket water heaven — low flows but less crowded and technical.

FAQs – Clear Creek

Q: Are flows too low?
A: No — they’re skinny but totally fishable. Just lengthen leaders and think stealth.

Q: What size flies work best?
A: Go small: #20–24 for Tricos, #20–22 for BWOs and emergers.

Q: Is this a half-day play or full day?
A: Best windows are mornings and cloudy afternoons; plan accordingly.

Q: Can I fish terrestrials here?
A: Yes — Micro Chubbies or beetles can pull bonus fish.

Q: Best rod/tippet setup?
A: 9’ 3–4 wt with 12 ft leader, 6X for dries, 5X for nymphs.

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