South Boulder Creek Report

South Boulder Creek River Report

South Boulder Creek River Report
6-22-2026

Flows are now steady, which has been a great break from the flows bouncing around. However, wading can still be a bit iffy, so use caution while wading. With the current flows, fish will be behind stucture that'll block current like rocks and boulders, or sometimes even close to shore in some surprisingly shallow water. Ensure if you fish here you're using enough weight to get down to the fish, be it split shot or heavier beads on your bugs. Your primary hatches will be midges, Caddis, Stones and BWOs .

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For dries, throw a Steve's Sipper dun BWO, Mole Fly, Superman Caddis, AR's BWO Adult and Emerger, Roza's Red Butt Caddis, Micro Chubby, Griffith's Gnat, Film Critic, Big Boned Caddis, Dry Humper, and a CDC Caddis.
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For subsurface presentations, use a Good Speed Caddis, Juju Baetis, Tag Perdigon, Tung Sassi's Solution, BTS Mysis, RS-2, Crust Nymph, Sow Bug, Tung Poudre Pupa, Poison Tung, Juggaret Chocolate Baetis, Tailwater Tiny, Lil Bit, and a Puparazi.

Guide Rating

4/5

Weather Experienced

- Temperature: Mid 70's

- Wind Conditions: Light breeze

- Precipitation: None

Water Observations

- Water Temperature: Mid 40's

- Flow Level: 176 CFS

- Water Clarity: Near crystal clear

About South Boulder Creek Fly Fishing

South Boulder Creek has to be one of the most scenic rivers within a half hour of downtown Boulder. This creek starts up in the Indian Peaks near the Moffat Tunnel and gains momentum on its journey towards the cool deep waters of Gross Reservoir. Below Gross Reservoir, South Boulder Creek becomes a great tailwater flowing through the Walker Ranch open space. This area is the most popular section of the creek due to the great hatches and consistent flows through the summer months. The access to this section is fairly easy taking visitors up and over Flagstaff Mountain, onto a dirt road, and into the wilderness.

There is no road following the creek so if you are looking for some solitude this is the spot. The aquatic insect activity in this part of the creek is incredible, it sees hatches of Caddis, BWO’s, PMD’s, Midges and great Terrestrial fishing. South Boulder Creek might be your best chance for a big wild brown in Boulder County. Every year anglers routinely catch browns in excess of 18 inches. The river heads east through some public and private water before dumping into Eldorado Canyon State park. After the plunge pools of Eldorado, the creek mellows out upon entering the flats of Boulder and eventually joins Boulder Creek.