Bear Creek Fly Fishing Report – October Conditions, Hatches & Top Flies

Bear Creek, located near Morrison, Colorado, is a small but productive stream that offers a quick fishing escape for Front Range anglers. Known for its swift pocket water, deep pools, and healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout, Bear Creek provides a range of fishing opportunities.

October on Bear Creek feels like the front range’s best-kept open secret - just not this week. The crowds are gone (flows are still tiny), the air smells like leaves and cold coffee, and the trout are flashing in the seam. It’s small-fly season - and patience pays bigger than a streamer ever could here.

 

 

• Flow: ~18–22 CFS (⬇ below average)
• Water Temp: 46–50°F ⬇
• Air Temp: 34–68°F
• Clarity: Very clear
• Pressure: Light to moderate near Morrison
• Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐

Flows are skinny and the water’s glass-clear - perfect for technical fishing and sight casting. BWOs are steady on cloudy days, midges are producing in slow runs, and fish are stacked tight in deeper pools near structure. Small rigs and stealth are key to success right now.

 

• Blue-Winged Olives (BWO): #20–22; strong from late morning through early afternoon.
• Midges: #22–26; active all day; black and olive variations are best.
• Caddis: #18; rare but possible mid-day near riffles.
• Terrestrials: #16–18; fading fast; only worth a shot on sunny banks mid-day.

 

• Hi-Vis BWO Parachute (#20–22):
  Rig: Single dry or dry-dropper with RS2 dropper on 6X tippet.
  How to Fish: Drift naturally in soft seams mid-day; avoid drag with short casts.
• Griffith’s Gnat (#22–24):
  Rig: Single dry fly for slow slicks.
  How to Fish: Ideal during subtle midge rises; fish upstream and let it dead drift.
• Parachute Adams (#20):
  Rig: Indicator-style dry with small nymph dropper.
  How to Fish: Best in transitional riffles where BWOs and midges mix.

• RS2 (Gray/Olive #22):
  Rig: Two-fly setup under small yarn indicator; 5–6X leader.
  How to Fish: Drift mid-column through slower tailouts.
• Zebra Midge (Black/Silver #22–24):
  Rig: Dropper fly below RS2 or small split shot.
  How to Fish: Focus on deeper pools and shady seams.
• Pheasant Tail (#18–20):
  Rig: Anchor fly in shallow runs.
  How to Fish: Short, high-stick drifts through riffles during mid-day warmth.

• Mini Leech (Olive #12–14):
  Rig: 4X–5X tippet, no indicator.
  How to Fish: Cast upstream along banks, short strips through pocket water. Great option on cloudy afternoons.