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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.
The leaves are gone, the water’s clear, and you can hear I-70 louder than the creek.
But there’s something special about Clear Creek in late fall tiny midges, pocket-water bows, and that last bit of sunlight bouncing off the canyon walls before winter locks it down.
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Conditions Summary
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Flows near 40 CFS ↓, clear water, and cold overnight lows.
Water temps 42–46 °F, air temps 28–62 °F, clarity excellent.
Fishing best from noon to 3 PM once the sun hits the canyon.
Flow: 40 CFS ↓
Water Temp: 42–46 °F
Air Temp: 28–62 °F
Clarity: Crystal clear
Pressure: Light
Best Times: 11 AM – 3 PM
Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer Score: ⭐⭐
Conditions Note:
The bite is short but sweet. Fish are podded in slower wintering holes; drift small midges naturally and stay low.
Hatch Chart
- Midges #22–26 | All day | Light surface action mid-day
- Blue-Winged Olives #20–22 | 11 AM–2 PM | Sparse but steady hatches on cloudy days
- Little Black Stones #18–20 | Midday | Sporadic, short-lived emergence
Top Flies for Late October / Early November
Dry Flies
- Parachute Adams #20 – BWO crossover pattern for light hatches
- Griffith’s Gnat #24 – Reliable midge cluster pattern for slicks
- CDC Midge Adult #24 – For slow pools when trout sip subtly
Nymphs
- Black Beauty #22–24 – Core winter midge pattern
- Zebra Midge #22 (Red or Black) – Great trailer in deeper slots
- WD-40 #22 (Olive) – BWO emergent imitation for midday windows
Streamer
- Mini Leech #12 (Olive) – Twitch through pocket seams late afternoon
Tips for Fishing Clear Creek
- Skip early mornings; ice lingers in the shade.
- Use long leaders and 6X tippet for stealth.
- Target deep pockets, slow tailouts, and shaded pools.
- Drift short and tight; small mends go a long way.
- Walk quietly - trout here spook fast in clear water.
Access Points
Golden to Tunnel 1: Easy access, light pressure midweek.
Black Hawk Canyon: Tight water and good holding pools in the bends.
Lawson to Empire: Shallow runs but productive during mid-day sun.
Idaho Springs: Steady action near bridges and parking turnouts.
Local Regulations & Notes
Artificial flies and lures only.
Catch-and-release strongly encouraged.
Avoid trampling shallow gravel redds in riffles.
Check CPW Fishing Reports for updates.
FAQ
Q: Is Clear Creek still fishing well this late in the season?
A: Yes - mid-day windows produce steady action with small midges and BWOs.
Q: What’s the best rig right now?
A: Black Beauty to Zebra Midge under a small yarn indicator.
Q: Is it worth throwing dries?
A: Absolutely - BWO emergers will still draw risers on calm, cloudy afternoons.
Q: Any closures or access issues?
A: None currently; watch for snow or rockfall after storms.
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