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Bear Creek
Report Date: 05/17/2013-
Bear Creek is back open, but low flows
Reporter: Trout's Staff
Flow Conditions:
Water Clarity: Clear with a chance of stain anytime we get any notable precipitation
Current Fishing Conditions:
May Fishing Report
We hopeful that May will bring a much needed flow increase to Bear Creek, particularly seeing as our South Platte River basin snowpack is now well over 100%. The downside here is that these flow increases will make for difficult fishing on this locals favorite, the upside being that these flushing flows will do a lot to help rehabilitate this river after last years low water conditions.
5/17/13 Update: runoff has officially arrived on Bear Creek, with flows now spiking well over 100cfs. Expect difficult fishing over the next couple of weeks, but rest assured that these flushing flows will do a lot to improve fishing conditions on this stretch of water later into the summer.
Insects and Natural Food Sources
Baetis, midges and small black stoneflies will still make up a majority of the fish’s diet. As flows begin to elevate, aquatic annelids (aka the san juan worm) will be valuable food sources.
Recommended Flies
Bead Head attractor nymphs such as the Prince Nymph, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Copper John sz. 16-20, Attractor Dry Flies such as the Stimulator or Amy’s Ant sz 14-16, Small streamers sz 4-10, Baetis Emerger Patterns size 18, Caddis larva and pupae patterns size 16, Parachute Adams sz. 16-22, Parachute BWO sz. 16-22, Hatch Matcher BWO sz. 16-20, Tailwater Humpy sz.16-20, Brooks Sprout Midge sz. 18-22, Trico Emerger sz. 18-20, Worms sz. 16-20, Pheasant Tail sz. 18-22, Copper John sz. 18-20, RS2 sz. 18-22, WD-40 sz. 18-22, Black Beauty sz. 18-22, Mercury Baetis sz. 18-20
River Description
Bear Creek is a great spot close to Metro Denver, especially for those that only have a few hours to wet a line. This is 3wt water or smaller, so leave the big sticks at home. During the Fall and Winter months, productivity of the fishing will depend highly on the time of day and overall weather conditions. Fishing will be best from 11am - 4pm, particularly on the warmer and sunny days. Adverse weather will most likely create difficult conditions and potential high and off color water. This is a good year round option as Bear Creek will rarely freeze for prolonged periods of time.
Seasonal Overview:
Bear Creek is a great spot close to Metro Denver, especially for those that only have a few hours to wet a line. This is 3wt water or smaller, so leave the big sticks at home. During the Fall and Winter months, productivity of the fishing will depend highly on the time of day and overall weather conditions. Fishing will be best from 11am - 4pm, particularly on the warmer and sunny days. Adverse weather will most likely create difficult conditions and potential high and off color water. This is a good year round option as Bear Creek will rarely freeze for prolonged periods of time.
Current Hatches: BWO's, Baetis, Midges, Eggs, Worms
Recommended Flies
Dries: Parachute Adams 16-20, Eric's Hi-Vis Midge 18, H&L Variant 18, Pheasant Tail Challenged 18, Griffiths Gnat 18-22 Nymphs: Copper John 18-20, Pheasant Tail 20-22, Soft Hackle PT #18-20, Not Much 20-24, Mercury Midge 20-22, Eggs 18-20 Streamers: Flashbuggers, Thin Mints and Marabou Leeches 10
Tips & Tricks
"Liar of the Bear" is the most heavily fished area along Bear Creek. Explore a bit and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Recommended Products:
Photos
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The best fishing on Bear Creek lies between the towns of Morrison and Evergreen, Colorado. To access this area, head to Morrison and drive West on Highway 74 towards Evergreen. Bear Creek runs along this stretch of road, and there are numerous access point along the way.
Pull-Outs: along Highway 74, you'll notice many pull-outs along the road, and many of these can offer great river access. Watch out for private property signs though, as the river does go from public to private quite often. Accessing the river from these areas is a bit more difficult, but will typcially offer better fishing due to less pressure.
Jefferson County Open Spaces: The Jefferson County Open Space Parks will provide anglers the best access to Bear Creek. There are multiple options located along Hwy 74, including:
Lair O' the Bear Park - located approximately 4 miles West of Morrison, Lair O' the Bear Park offers plentiful access to Bear Creek. The river here has a gentile gradient, offering anglers ample pools, runs and riffles to cast a fly. Click here to view a map of this area
Denver Mountain Parks - there are numerous mountain parks spread along the Front Range, with a good number along the Bear Creek coridor. See the map below for locations to all these great parks.
Little Park: located just outside of Morrison, Little Park (400 acres), offers good access to Bear Creek.
Corwina Park: located just upstream of Lair O' the Bear park, Corwina Park is going to offer an abundant amount of access to Bear Creek.
Pence Park: located just upstream of Kittredge, CO, Pence Park offers anglers a good section of Bear Creek.
View Bear Creek Fishing Access in a larger map