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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: 12/01/205
Clear Creek is running low, cold, and ultra-clear, which is exactly what we expect this time of year. The week brought slightly cooler overnight temps, pushing trout into slower mid-depth seams and along undercut banks. Clarity has actually improved in the upper canyon, and fish are feeding best once the midday light softens. Expect classic winter behavior: smaller holding zones, subtle takes, and trout sliding tight to structure. This is a technical week, but a very rewarding one if you slow down and fish midge water with patience.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Conditions Summary
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Flow: ~25 CFS (stable week over week at Lawson/Empire)
Water Temp: Mid to upper 30s
Air Temp: Mid 40s afternoons
Clarity: Clear, 4–5 ft visibility
Crowds: Medium near town, light in the canyon
Best Window: 11 am to 3 pm
5 Day Weather Forecast
Cold early, sunny mid-days, and a steady light breeze in the canyon. Expect frozen guides early but good midge activity once the sun touches the water.
Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐⭐
Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer: ⭐
Top Flies in Your Box
Ten flies you should carry for Clear Creek right now:
- Black Beauty 20–22
- Mercury Midge 20–22
- Top Secret Midge 22–24
- Zebra Midge (black or red) 20–22
- Cream Midge Larva 20
- RS2 (black or grey) 20–22
- WD40 olive 20
- Barr’s BWO Emerger 20
- Bling Midge 20
- Mini Leech (black) 14
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.
Pro Rig of the Week
Clear Creek Winter Shallow-Depth Rig
Leader: 9–10 ft, 5.5x fluoro
Top Fly: Zebra Midge 20
Dropper: Black Beauty 22
Weight: One micro split-shot, placed sparingly
Indicator: Tiny yarn indicator or no indicator with tight-line presentation
Hatch Chart for December
| Hatch Type | Bugs You’ll See | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Midges (cream, black) | Daily. Best 11 am to 2 pm |
| Secondary | Baetis | Light. Mostly on cloudy days |
| Tertiary | Winter Stoneflies | Occasional near pocketwater boulders |
Primary: Midges
Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, Top Secret Midge
Secondary: Baetis
RS2, WD40, Barrs BWO
Tertiary: Winter Stones
Micro Stone, Little Black Stone patterns
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: ⭐⭐⭐
Golden – Clear Creek Pathway
Urban water with good winter holding zones along deep shelves. Pressure higher but fishing consistent.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Tunnel 1 and Canyon Pockets (between Golden and Idaho Springs)
Classic pocket water, slower in winter but still productive mid-day in deeper troughs.
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
