Boulder Creek River Report

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Boulder Creek River Report

10-12-2026

Flows are low, and above the Falls very skinny. Fish will primarily be in the deepest water available and can be spooky, especially on sunny days. Dry droppers are a great place to start all up and down Boulder Creek. Primary hatches have been: Midges, Caddis, Terrestrials and BWO's.

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For dries, use a Hi Viz No See Um BWO, AR's BWO Adult and Emerger, Stimmie, Para Ant, Rosen Para Beetle, Superman Caddis, X Caddis, Ms Tickle Cripple in BWO, All Season Caddis, Micro Chubby and a No See Um Hi Viz BWO.

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For nymphs, use a Zebra Midge, Juju Baetis, Arnott's Pocket Drone, Spanish Perdigon, Black Beauty, 2 Bit Hooker, Kryptonite Caddis, BTS May in BWO, ID Theft BWO, Tung Poudre Pupae, BH Caddis Pupa, Aero Baetis, Hot Butt Caddis, Remote Control and a RS-2.

Guide Rating

4/5

Weather Experienced

- Temperature: Upper 70's (Lower canyon)

- Wind Conditions: Windy

- Precipitation: None

Water Observations

- Water Temperature: Low 60's in PM

- Flow Level: 11.0 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″+.