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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: December 8, 2025
Clear Creek is entering full winter mode with low, icy flows, improving clarity, and trout pushing into deeper, slower pocket water. Compared to last week, flows have ticked slightly downward and clarity has noticeably improved, making stealth and small patterns essential. Expect short feeding windows, very technical midge work, and sensitive drifts in tight canyon structure.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Conditions Summary
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- Flow: ~20–25 CFS near Idaho Springs; slightly down week over week
- Water Temperature: Low to mid 30s; brief warming in sunlight pockets
- Air Temperature: High 20s to mid 40s depending on canyon shading
- Clarity: Clear and improving, especially in mid-canyon runs
- Crowds: Light on weekdays, moderate near Golden on weekends
- Best Window: 11 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.; sunlight and micro-warming drive everything
- Fishing Type Focus: Nymphing, because trout are glued to slow pockets and feeding almost exclusively subsurface on midges
Weather
Cold canyon mornings and fast warm–cool swings. Expect a freeze–thaw cycle, icy edges, and shaded stretches that stay cold all day. Even a slight warming bump brings midges up in the column.
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
- Black Beauty 20–24
- Mercury Midge 20–22
- Top Secret Midge 20–22
- Manhattan Midge 22–24
- WD-40 20–22
- RS2 (black or gray) 20–22
- Small Rainbow Warrior 20–22
- Flashback PT 18–20
- Mini Leech 12–14
- Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear 18–20 (anchor)
Pro Rig of the Week: Clear Creek Micro-Column Rig
- Indicator: Ultra-light yarn for tight pockets
- Lead Fly: Flashback PT 18–20
- Dropper: Manhattan Midge 22–24
- Weight: One micro split shot; adjust often due to fluctuating depths
- Target Water: Soft winter pockets between boulders and slower canyon edges
Clear Creek Hatch Chart for December
|
Bug Type |
Size |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Midges |
20–26 |
Primary winter food source; trout feed mostly subsurface. |
|
Baetis Nymphs |
20–22 |
Occasional movement during warm spells. |
|
Micro Stoneflies |
16–18 |
Sparse but always worth an anchor fly. |
Download the Clear Creek Hatch Chart
Access Points
Golden – Clear Creek Trail
Easiest access, consistent pocket water, and ideal winter depth control practice.
⭐ 4.6
Black Rock Area
Deep canyon pockets, excellent winter structure, and low pressure.
⭐ 4.5
Lawson
Classic Clear Creek runs with mixed depth and slower winter lanes.
⭐ 4.4
Idaho Springs – Upstream Pullouts
Cold but stable flows; great for short sessions and testing small patterns.
⭐ 4.4
Kermit’s to Downstream Pullouts
Variable flows but solid winter holding seams in mid-depth water.
⭐ 4.3
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
FAQ
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
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
