Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Location: Clear Creek Canyon

Clear Creek 08/12/2026 Photo Album

I checked the flows on South Boulder Creek, and they remained at 69 CFS. I knew from prior experience that this level of release was very favorable for fly fishing, and I sincerely desired a day in South Boulder Creek Canyon. Unfortunately the weather report was concerning. A relatively high probability of thunderstorms were predicted from 1:00 PM until the early evening, and I did not wish to risk being caught in the canyon with a challenging uphill exit climb during heavy rain, lightning and thunder.

I shifted my attention to Clear Creek, and thunderstorms were predicted there as well, although the probability was slightly lower. More important from my perspective, the creek runs right along US 6, so a quick exit was a strong possibility. Also, the drive was shorter, and in the event that I cut my day short, I was not wasting as much time or fuel.

Caddis Adult Eater Was a Beauty

I arrived at Clear Creek at 9:30AM after waiting at a construction stop for fifteen minutes. I fit together my Orvis Access four weight, and I chose wet wading, since the air temperature was already at 83 degrees at 9:30 in the morning.

I hiked down US 6 for .2 mile, and then I negotiated a steep and rocky bank to the edge of the creek. Flows were in the 56 CFS range, and the stream was very clear. I took the water temperature at 10:30AM, and it was 62 degrees.

The Path Ahead

I began my fly fishing day with a peacock hippie stomper trailing a salvation nymph. This combination worked well on Tuesday, but it was totally ignored by the trout of Clear Creek. I observed a few flashes to the hippie stomper, but that was the extent of the action in the first thirty minutes. I paused to consider alternative approaches, and I removed the salvation nymph and replaced it with a size 16 deer hair caddis with a tan body. When I resort to a double dry, I usually attach the trailing fly on a twelve to eighteen inch dropper, but in this case I kept the 2.5 foot leader from the dry/dropper in place.

Acceptable

The shift in approach was effective, and I landed three brown trout by 11:00AM. The second fish was a very nice brown in the thirteen inch range, and it smacked the trailing caddis in a nice riffle over moderate depth. In spite of my improved results, I remained dissatisfied with the effectiveness of the flies. The leading hippie stomper was in many cases attracting the attention of the trout as evidenced by refusals or brief looks. I wanted a fly that either resulted in an eat, or one that simply served as an indicator with the caddis becoming the main attraction.

Dwelled Along the Bank

It was around this time that the wind began to gust at high velocity, and I wondered if perhaps terrestrials were a factor. I snipped off the hippie stomper and replaced it with a size 14 Jake’s gulp beetle, and I added a smaller size 16 light gray deer hair caddis as the trailer. These flies would remain on my line, until I paused at noon, and they delivered three very respectable brown trout. All three inhaled the beetle, and I also missed a couple more that escaped, before I could corral them in my net. These three fish were also fine wild fish in the twelve to thirteen inch range. It seems that I’ve been catching larger brown trout on Clear Creek during my last two visits than I caught in previous years. Hopefully this is a permanent trend.

Big Spots

I discovered that fishing a beetle requires constant focus. The beetle rides very low in the surface film, and the trout dart quickly to the surface and snatch it while making minimal disturbance. I was rather pleased with my quick hook sets on the beetle takes.

Little Foam Nook Produced

By noon some dark clouds gathered in the southwestern sky. I was developing a rhythm with the beetle and caddis, and I hoped to delay my lunch until at least 1PM, as I prospected the left bank at a rapid pace. However, the weather had other ideas. A streak of lightning and the sound of thunder added to the black sky, and I decided to exit and climb the steep, rocky bank before the storm rolled in. Perhaps it would pass during my lunch, and I could resume afterwards.

And Yet Another Clear Creek Beast

I downed my lunch in my car, and when I opened the door to inspect the sky, the dark clouds were closer and rain seemed imminent. I decided to call it a day. I removed my wet wading clothes and stowed my rod and gear, and just as I sat down in the driver’s seat, rain drops appeared on my windshield. I once again stopped for a flagman and single lane traffic due to construction, and while idling in line, the rain intensified as if to confirm my decision to quit.

Next to Rock on Left

Six fish in two hours was very respectable, and finding success with a foam beetle was very rewarding. As I mentioned, the average size of the brown trout in Clear Creek Canyon seems to have grown compared to outings in previous years. Hopefully I can return in the near future for a more extended outing.

Fish Landed: 6