Top 7 Must-Have Flies for Fishing Clear Creek, Colorado

Top 7 Flies for Fishing Clear Creek, Colorado – Straight from the Riverbank

If you’re headed out to Clear Creek with dreams of trout on the fly, let’s make sure your fly box is stacked with some crowd-pleasers. This Colorado stream may be small, but it’s mighty, with trout that can be both shy and spunky. So, here’s the lineup you’ll want to bring to keep the action hot, no matter the season.

1. Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) – Size 18-22

The BWO isn’t just a crowd-favorite among anglers—it’s practically a Clear Creek classic. When the clouds roll in, these little mayflies hatch, and trout come to the surface like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

• When to Use: Cloudy days, late mornings, early afternoons.
• Guide’s Tip: Scope out the slower pools or drift it right behind rocks where fish are tucked away, just waiting for that perfect BWO to drift by.

2. Griffith’s Gnat – Size 20-24

Tiny, scrappy, and always in style, the Griffith’s Gnat is your winter and early-spring MVP. When the air is frosty, and the trout are feeling picky, this little guy mimics clusters of midges perfectly.

• When to Use: Winter and early spring (aka midge season).
• Guide’s Tip: Drift it solo, or if you’re feeling daring, drop a little midge emerger behind it to double down on the hatch-matching.

3. Elk Hair Caddis – Size 14-18

Ah, the Elk Hair Caddis—a summertime rockstar. This dry fly holds up in the current like a champ, imitating caddis on the surface with a perfect profile that no self-respecting Clear Creek trout can resist.

• When to Use: Summer and early fall.
• Guide’s Tip: Toss it along the edges of faster water, or pair it up with a nymph below and let this bad boy do double duty.

4. Zebra Midge – Size 18-22

The Zebra Midge is small but mighty—a no-nonsense nymph that works all year round. With this in the lineup, you’ll be armed for anything Clear Creek trout are picking off the bottom.

• When to Use: Year-round, especially in winter and early spring.
• Guide’s Tip: Hang it under an indicator or as a dropper below a big dry. Riffles and deeper pools are prime real estate.

5. Pheasant Tail Nymph – Size 16-18

If there’s a “can’t-go-wrong” nymph for Clear Creek, it’s the Pheasant Tail. This fly has that “natural bug” look that trout just can’t ignore, especially in spring and fall when the bugs are buzzing.

• When to Use: Spring through fall.
• Guide’s Tip: Drift it in moderate currents and let it ride low; Clear Creek trout love this one right near the creek bed.

6. Parachute Adams – Size 16-20

This fly is the MVP of dry flies. The Parachute Adams is versatile enough to pass as a mayfly, midge, and just about anything else with wings. It’s practically the Swiss Army knife of flies.

• When to Use: Anytime.
• Guide’s Tip: Fish it solo or team it up in a dry-dropper rig. Hit the pocket water and seams, and be ready for action.

7. Woolly Bugger – Size 8-12

Big trout don’t want dainty snacks, and that’s where the Woolly Bugger shines. It’s the heavyweight champion, imitating everything from baitfish to leeches, and on Clear Creek, it’s your best bet for hooking into a beast.

• When to Use: Early morning, late afternoon, or during higher flows.
• Guide’s Tip: Swing it in deep pools or near undercut banks, and vary your retrieve. This is your chance at the big boys.

A Few Final River Wisdom Nuggets

Clear Creek trout are smart, but with these flies, you’ll have the upper hand. Keep your casts stealthy, and don’t forget to adjust as you go. Sometimes, it’s the little tweaks that lead to the biggest fish tales. So load up with these flies, hit the water, and let the trout come to you. Here’s to tight lines and a killer day on Clear Creek!