With Colorado’s unusually warm spring, Clear Creek has been fishing exceptionally well! Flows are currently sitting around 65 cfs, with water levels low and clarity high. These conditions have made for some great BWO, midge and caddis hatches, providing great opportunities for dry fly and dry-dropper setups.
Dry-dropper and hopper-dropper setups have been deadly as of late, producing steady action on both the dry and the dropper. A Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, or Caddis Variant in sizes #10-#16 have been productive for dry flies. Heavy, jig-style droppers have been most productive sub-surface, with the Olive Perdigon, Frenchie Blowtorch, and Jigged Pheasant Tail in sizes #14-#18 fishing well. Rs-2s, B’s Midges, and Foamback Emergers in #18-#22 are also good options if fish are a bit more selective.
Dry fly action has been particularly good due to the warmer water temperatures and low, clear conditions. Caddis, BWO, and midges have been coming off in decent numbers in the afternoon, providing some great opportunities for single or double dry setups. Vis-a-Duns, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Missing Links in a #14-#18 have been very productive on warmer afternoons. With the low and clear water conditions, downsizing to 5 or 6x, particularly for dry flies, has made a noticeable difference for us in terms of increasing dry fly eats.
Clear Creek has been fishing well throughout the spring, and should only get better as it gets warmer. The most productive window has been in the afternoon when water temps rise and bug activity increases. Overall, Clear Creek is shaping up to offer some excellent spring fishing, so get out there and take advantage of it!
Tyler Banker