It’s early June, and if you’ve been waiting for runoff to settle, now’s your moment, kind of. On this week’s episode of River Whisper, we break down the five best places to fly fish near Denver, based on real-time flows, water clarity, hatch activity, and our on-the-ground intel.
This episode is your ultimate cheat sheet for picking the right water at the right time. We’re looking at early morning windows, avoiding that afternoon snowmelt surge, and putting you in front of fish that are actually eating.
🎯 What’s in the episode:
– Why Clear Creek is finally fishable above Tunnel 1 and what dry-dropper rig to bring
– How Boulder Creek is becoming the star of the week, especially for canyon walkers
– The secret to success on Bear Creek, including why it’s a sleeper dry fly gem right now
– The flows on the South Platte at Cheesman and what to expect when battling spooky tailwater trout
– Why South Boulder Creek is still high but fishable — and how to read the pockets for success
– Hatch breakdowns: caddis, PMDs, yellow sallies, and midges
– Tips for fly choice, tippet size, and stealth tactics in high-pressure areas
– Access strategies to beat the crowds and fish the best water before it blows out mid-day
💡 Whether you're a weekend warrior, a lunch break angler, or planning a pre-work session, we’ve got the data-backed guidance to help you catch more fish and waste less time.
🐟 Top Flies This Week:
– Elk Hair Caddis (Size 16)
– Beadhead Pheasant Tail (Size 18)
– Parachute Adams (Size 18)
– RS2 (Size 22)
– Zebra Midge (Size 20)
🚫 We’re also calling out what not to fish this week — including popular rivers still surging with runoff or too stained to be productive. Don’t waste your drive.
📍 All featured rivers are within 90 minutes of downtown Denver — no 4-hour marathons or snow-packed trailheads. This is real intel, for real anglers, fishing real time.
🧭 Whether you're heading out solo, teaching a friend, or sneaking in a dawn patrol before work, this episode is your guide to the most rewarding water near the city.
Follow us on Spotify for weekly updates on the Front Range’s top rivers, seasonal strategies, hatch intel, and pro tips from local anglers.
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