Boulder Creek River Report

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Boulder Creek River Report

7-13-2026

Flows continue to drop, so above the Falls can be pretty tough. Below the Falls is better, but the lower you are, the quicker the water temps get. All in all, it is a good idea to get a early start, and start checking water temps around noon. Fish will be in pretty obvious areas with the low flows, seeking out shelter in deeper water. Primary hatches have been: Midges, Drakes, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, PMD's and BWO's.

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For dries, use a Hi Viz No See Um BWO, AR's BWO Adult and Emerger, Para Ext. Body BWO, Hi Viz Beetle, AR's PMD Adult, Compara Dun PMD,Superman Caddis, Fin Fetcher Caddis, Headlight Sally, Foam Run Caddis, Micro Chubby, AR's March Brown, Furminsky Drake, Film Critic Drake and a Hi Vis Foam Ant.

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For nymphs, use a Zebra Midge, Juju Baetis, Arnott's Pocket Drone, Spanish Perdigon, Sweet Meat Caddis, Kryptonite Caddis, BTS May in BWO, Simple PTN, Tung Poudre Pupae, BH Caddis Pupa, TB Bender PMD, Mo River Killer PMD, My Gal Sal, and a Croston's FMJ.

Guide Rating

4/5

Weather Experienced

- Temperature: Mid 80's (Upper canyon)

- Wind Conditions: Light breeze

- Precipitation: None

Water Observations

- Water Temperature: Low 60's

- Flow Level: 35.20 CFS - Near Orodell

- Water Clarity: Crystal clear

About Boulder Creek Fly Fishing

Our Boulder Creek fishing report will give you an idea of what flies to use and general conditions you can expect. Boulder Creek is one of Boulder’s most prized possessions, running from Barker Reservoir through town past the campus of CU and out into the flats of Colorado. From start to finish this is a fine trout fishery full of wild browns, rainbows, and even some colorful brookies up towards the town of Nederland. If you can really devote some time to fishing the creek there are even a few cutthroats to be found. Go for the Boulder Creek grand slam!

The creek is full of opportunistic fish that are eager to take a dry fly, so take advantage of the great caddis, blue wing olive and terrestrial fishing. The midges that call Boulder Creek home are active all year and are always a safe bet come the colder months of the year. This is a great chance to get out and test some of those midge patterns that you have been drooling over all winter. The caddis hatches on the creek makes for some of the best evening fishing Boulder has to offer. A simple dry fly with a dropper hanging off the back will light up fish all day long and into the night.

The creek fishes well from start to finish, hitting bigger browns outside of town, or even in town, more rainbows than you can stick in one day up in the canyon and brookies that will keep you grinning until dark near the upper stretches of the creek. The fish size averages around 8in, but there are plenty of larger fish to be had in the creek up to 18″+.