Clear Creek
Clear Creek originates near Continental Divide with flows supported by snowpack at high altitudes along the divide and peaks around it. The creek flows through Silver Plume, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, and Golden, Colorado along its 66 miles until it reaches the South Platte River on the plains. The word “creek” in its moniker can be misleading, as it flows much more like a “river” during much of the year.
We concentrate most of our fishing in Clear Creek Canyon between Golden and Idaho Springs. This section is fairly steep-gradient pocket water. Plentiful brown trout dominate the mix, but some rainbows, cutthroats, and brook trout will make appearances as well.
With eager, spunky fish, Clear Creek is a great place for novices to experience the sport. Dry-fly enthusiasts also have a good chance to encounter fish willing to rise to the fly.
Bear Creek
Originating in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area, Bear Creek meanders through Evergreen and Morrison, before eventually joining the South Platte River. Bear Creek is a smaller stream and very easy to wade. That, combined with eager fish, make it a great place for novices and children. The area we fish sits nestled in a valley and has hiking trails along much of the creek.
Wild brown trout make up most of the catch, along with the occasional rainbow. This healthy creek also supports diverse insect life. Stoneflies, caddis, mayflies, craneflies, midges, and even sowbugs are part of the mix. It’s not uncommon to see one or more hatches on an outing.
The South Platte River – Deckers Area
Most likely needing no introduction, The South Platte River near Deckers is a beautiful Colorado river. This section of the famed South Platte River offers solitude and a rustic feeling of the outdoors. The river features gentle glides to quicker runs, with large boulders and rock features of Pike’s Peak granite. At normal flows, wading is fairly straightforward for all ability levels. The fish population is a mixture of browns, rainbows, cutbows, and cutthroat trout. Typically, trout in this section run 10-16”, but 20”+ fish are possible. The river is a popular destination for front range anglers, and the fish tend to get educated as they grow older. Fly selection, rigging, and water choice are key factors in getting hooked up.
The Eagle River
The Eagle is one of Colorado’s longest freestone (no dams) rivers. It’s upper sections are quicker-moving pocket water that gradually gets wider and picks up water as it descends into the Vail Valley, eventually joining the mighty Colorado River. Large round boulders and great trout habitat are features of the lower section. Generally, if the water looks like it should hold fish, it usually does. But like other trout streams, the fish can sometimes get selective about their meals. Anglers will find browns, rainbows, cutbows, and cutthroat mixed throughout the system. At times, fish eagerly rise to the hatch du jour making for some exciting visual takes. Other times, trout will rise to attractor patterns even when no hatch is occurring. This is a special watershed, with beautiful habitat, and well worth exploring.
