The Best Fly Fishing Near Denver: June 9th - June 15th

Best Fly Fishing Near Denver – Week of June 10, 2025

Snowmelt’s still flexing by midday, but if you fish smart and fish early, this is the best week we've had so far this season. Colorado’s Front Range creeks and rivers are starting to settle into their post-runoff groove — at least in the mornings. The flows are manageable, the bugs are waking up, and trout are hungry after the long cold months.

So where’s the best water near Denver right now? Hint: think high gradient and narrow canyons. These smaller drainages shed melt quickly overnight, offering a few hours of clarity and fishable flows. Bonus: some of the urban stretches are waking up too. Here's where we’re sending our friends this week.

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We break down where to fish near Denver this week, from high canyon trickles to low-flow tailwaters, plus our fly picks and timing tricks.

Conditions Summary

Best Times to Fish: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM or 7:00 PM – dusk

General Trends:

• Morning clarity is best; melt impacts build after noon
• Dry fly windows opening on Clear Creek and Boulder Creek
• Pocket water holding fish tight to rocks and seams

Top Picks Near Denver

1. Clear Creek (Upstream of Tunnel 1)

• Flow Rate: ~75 CFS
• Why It’s Hot: Mornings are clear, flows are down, fish are active on caddis and small stones.
• Top Fly: Elk Hair Caddis – Size 16
• Access: Pull-offs west of Tunnel 1
• Rating: ★★★★☆

2. Boulder Creek (Canyon Section)

• Flow Rate: ~60 CFS
• Why It’s Hot: Best clarity of the bunch. Pocket water fishing is excellent early.
• Top Fly: Beadhead Pheasant Tail – Size 18
• Access: Betasso pull-offs
• Rating: ★★★★★

3. Bear Creek (Upstream of Morrison)

• Flow Rate: ~40 CFS
• Why It’s Hot: Stable flows, excellent beginner water, and a sneaky good dry fly bite.
• Top Fly: Parachute Adams – Size 18
• Access: Lair o’ the Bear area
• Rating: ★★★★☆

4. South Platte – Cheesman Canyon

• Flow Rate: ~225 CFS
• Why It’s Hot: Classic tailwater conditions; clear water, spooky fish, but worth the work.
• Top Fly: RS2 – Size 22
• Access: Gill Trail
• Rating: ★★★★☆

5. South Boulder Creek (Below Gross Reservoir)

• Flow Rate: ~110 CFS
• Why It’s Hot: A bit high, but still manageable. Fish the edges and slower pockets.
• Top Fly: Zebra Midge – Size 20
• Access: Walker Ranch Trailhead
• Rating: ★★★★☆

Hatch Watch

• Caddis: Widespread and reliable
• Midges: Always in play on smaller creeks
• PMDs: Just starting on South Platte and Clear Creek
• Yellow Sallies: Showing in warmer mid-elevations

Pro Tips

• Fish upstream with stealth in the canyon creeks — the trout are tight to cover.
• Skip the afternoons unless you’re streamer fishing under shade or cloud cover.
• Dry-dropper rigs are deadly this week — especially on Bear and Boulder Creek.
• Urban options like Cherry Creek are still high and murky — hold off another week.