Fishing Season: All year

Clear Creek - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

36

Sunrise Anglers's Tip of the Week

Water is still incredibly cold, but there are signs of life with consistent midge and sporadic Cadis hatches… betas and little black stones are also an option Call sunrise anglers and book a trip to fish for pure greenback cutthroat,,, prime summer dates are still available

Directions open in app

Map of Clear Creek

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Sunrise Anglers
Freestone Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 4/16/25

Rising water with warm up

Techniques & Tips as of 4/16/25

classic pocket water, larger pools and runs require a slower approach when throwing drys, high sticking, or indicator nymphing With increased angling pressure, some trout have phd’s,,, slowing down pays dividends

Local Species Available All year

  • Fish Icon

    Browns

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbows

  • Fish Icon

    Cutts

Sunrise Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
CDC Loopwing Quill Emerger Silver 18
I Can See It Midge Fly Gray 18
RS2 Brown 16
Midge Blk 20
LBSblack Black 19
Glass Midge Peacock 20, 22
Prince Nymph Peacock 12,16,18
Elk Wing Caddis Blonde 14, 16
Bighorn Midge Cream 18, 24
Micro streamers Black 8

CDC Loopwing Quill Emerger

This quill body emerger fly is a great choice for selective mayfly feeders.

2.99

Item #7R6G

Buy Now

Sunrise Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Clear Creek

The Clear Creek watershed is truely amazing. Suffering from the ravages of mining for the last century, parts of Clear Creek are back and producing healthy populations of rainbows, browns, and in higher stretches, cutthroat. Starting on the eastern slopes of the continental divide, Clear Creek begins its journey to the Platte River on Loveland Pass and the Tunnel. This upper section is a mixture of mostly private and forest land. Drop pools and tight casting quarters are typical for this upper reach. Sunrise Anglers LLC is the only permitted outfitter for this rugged but easily accessed area. The next major area is the mini-tailwater below Georgetown lake. Mostly private below the dam, Clear Creek has excelent pulloffs along the side highway 6. Lawson, Idaho Springs, and the junction of I-70 and Clear Creek Canyon are great stops in the middle section for public access. The "Philly," (Philadelphia Mill), can be a good if uncrowded. The Canyon section is next, providing 20 miles of great water. Jefferson County Open Space has made some huge improvments in access along this stretch. TU's West Denver Chapter has done work in the Wildcat gulch area. Hatches for Clear Creek include midges, beatis, stones, mother's day caddis, PMD's Green Drakes, red quills, March Brown's, micro caddis, and October Caddis. Beetles, Ants, and Hoppers will take their share of fish.The Baetis hatches can be great in the canyon water and just above Kermits in the spring and fall. The nice thing about Clear Creek is that often a favorite attractor dry, placed well, that takes a huge number of fish. The Golden mile is nice water, but summer time produces an overwhelming number of people on the creek. Best fished when the temps are colder. Lower water east of Golden can be suprising for carp. Give Sunrise Anglers a call for more details and info.

Nearest Airport:

Denver Int. Airport

Hatches:

midges, baetis, caddis, streamer

Best Time to Fish:

Warm up helps, direct sun sections

Best Stretch:

Canyon

Best Access:

canyon pulloffs