Clear Creek Fly Fishing Report – October Conditions, Hatch Chart & Top Flies

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. 

October on Clear Creek feels like a reward for anyone who stuck it out all season. The water’s cold, the crowds are gone, and the browns are flashing in every seam. It’s small-fly season — where light rigs, quick reflexes, and a little luck make all the difference.

 

• Flow: 52 CFS near Golden ⬇
• Water Temp: 48°F steady
• Air Temp: 38–68°F
• Clarity: Crystal clear
• Pressure: Low (especially upstream of Idaho Springs)
• Best Times: 10 AM–3 PM (midday bite with BWOs and midges)
• Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
• Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

Low, clear, and cold — classic fall Clear Creek. Trout are active mid-day when sunlight warms the canyon, and a well-presented BWO emerger or midge will outfish anything flashy. Expect smaller fish to stay eager, with a few bruiser browns hiding tight to structure.

 

 

• Dry Fly: Hi-Vis BWO Parachute #20–22, Elk Hair Caddis #18
• Nymph: RS2 #22, Black Zebra Midge #22–24, Pheasant Tail #18
• Streamer: Mini Leech #10–12, Sculpzilla #10 olive

 

• Focus mid-day when the sun hits the canyon and bugs start to move.
• Smaller flies, longer leaders — 6X tippet makes a big difference.
• Don’t overlook pocket water; fish hold tight to structure.
• Dries can work if you’re stealthy, but nymphing rules most of the day.
• Hike away from road pull-offs — even a quarter mile makes a difference.

• State fishing license required.
• Most of the canyon is public, but check signage near private parcels.
• Catch-and-release recommended for all browns during the spawn.

• When does Clear Creek fish best in October?
  Midday, once the canyon warms up.
• What’s the best setup?
  Double nymph rig — RS2 and Zebra Midge with light split shot.
• Can you fish dries right now?
  Yes, BWOs mid-day and the occasional caddis near riffles.
• What’s the crowd level like?
  Low — mostly locals and a few road pull-off anglers.
• What tippet size should I use?
  6X for dries and nymphs, 5X for small streamers.
• Where’s the best fall section?
  Lawson to Georgetown — colder water, fewer people, staging browns.
• Do streamers work here?
  Occasionally, especially in deep pocket water near rock ledges.
• Is the creek still open to fishing year-round?
  Yes — Clear Creek is open year-round, though ice can form above Idaho Springs.

 

Where to fish today! Tired of fly shops feeding you outdated, half-baked reports just to push gear? Us too. That’s why River Whisper exists—to cut through the noise and give you real, up-to-date, no-BS fly fishing reports for Colorado.