9 Best Fly Fishing Spots Near Denver and Boulder 

Sharing is caring!

Fly fishing in the Denver and Boulder area is a thing of beauty, and not just because of the stunning landscapes.

This being Colorado, most of this article will focus on the cutthroat, rainbow and lunker brown trout that await the intrepid angler to make that cast and drop a Parachute Adams in the perfect spot for these eager fish to bite.

But this article also will reveal a few spots where you can catch other game fish on the fly, including bass, bluegill and even some giant carp.

Denver is at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains and has excellent access to rivers, streams and small alpine lakes, offering excellent fly fishing within a two-hour drive from downtown. Boulder is tucked into the foothills about 20 miles to the northwest and offers even more opportunities to wet a line.

And you don’t even have to drive that far.

The Denver South Platte, or DSC, runs through the urban landscape for over 25 miles and has excellent access. Take a stroll during your lunch break and catch some fish before returning to the office. You’ll be amazed at the number of fish in this section.

Another great option is Boulder Creek, which cuts through Boulder and has some trophy-worthy browns and rainbows. 

The mountains hold a unique and rare surprise, the greenback cutthroat. Native to Colorado, this fish was thought to be extinct until recently. It’s been a struggle, but the population is coming back. Check the regulations to get more details.

Be sure to check out any current regulations before heading out, and always be on the watch for rattlesnakes!

The Gear

Rod and Reel

Fly fishing in Colorado can be done with almost any rod weight, though a versatile overall pick would be a 9′ rod with a 5-wt line. With this rig, you’ll be able to fish most waters around the state without concern of going in too light.

Use a good quality 4x or 5x tippet, and choose lighter if the water is slow, low and clear. Mountain streams almost always run shallow in the late summer and fall.

There are several catch and release streams throughout the range, so be up to date on the regulations for where you plan to fish.

Tenkara rods have been getting more popular in Colorado due to its ease of use and minimalist design.

The Bugs

Hatches in Colorado can change in the blink of an eye. You might be experiencing a slow bite while using one fly only to have the next pattern be the meal ticket. Weather and temperature fluctuations can change a day from bad to good, and vice versa.

There are go-to bugs you should have on hand to match whatever the weather and hatch throw at you. A good starting fly box should have at least three or four each of the following:

Fly Fishing Rivers (and Ponds)

Whether fishing in the city or Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver and Boulder are the perfect basecamps for your trip.

Several rivers, creeks and lakes dot the Front Range. Most have great fishing, though some are a cut above the rest.

Denver South Platte (DSP)

Located in Denver, the DSP gives you great access to epic fly fishing without having to travel.

The urban section of the DSP runs from Chatfield Reservoir to 120^th Avenue.

Fish counts run in the 750 fish per mile range, with trout, walleye, catfish, bass and some monster-sized carp leading the charge. There are also 13 other species swimming around in the river.

Carp fishing is one of the biggest draws on this section of the South Platte, because these monsters can flat-out fight. Trout and bass are readily caught, and some trophies are cruising the river.

The DSP runs cloudy due to sediment from the mountains. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) have been working with Trout Unlimited to restore and rehab the river, and the results of the ongoing revival have been fantastic. 

Keep in mind that Denver is a busy city, so attempting to fish from the bridges, while tempting, will end poorly. Bikers and joggers heavily use the bridges throughout the 26 miles of river and won’t like being clotheslined by an errant cast.

Head down the South Platte River Trail, and you’ll find over 20 miles of riverside access. 

The upper section just down from C-470 to about Mineral Boulevard typically runs cooler than the lower sections. Trout are the main catch in this area. Tie a #2-#6 crawfish imitation or a Woolly Bugger for the best action. 

Bring along the terrestrials for late summer/fall fishing.

Don’t forget about the carp, either. They are massive and will put a skilled angler through their paces.

The South Platte River also made our list of the best fly fishing rivers and lakes across Colorado. See that article for all of the state’s bucket list spots.

Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek is readily accessible from downtown Boulder up to the falls area in the canyon. Several pullouts along the road offer excellent access. 

The primary target here are brown trout, with rainbows, cutthroat and brookies filling out the lineup. 

Due to the creek’s ruggedness and generally smaller size of its fish, you’d do well with a 3wt rod. Anything bigger will work, though you might spend more time getting your fly out of the trees and creekside vegetation than actual fishing.

Summertime, with its slower flows and warmer air, brings out the perfect combo for this creek. Toss a dry/dropper combo and you’ll be catching in no time. 

The upper sections of the creek get less attention and can be hot. Try fishing the North Fork of Boulder Creek just above Barker Reservoir near Nederland. 

Large boulders dot the entire length of the creek and create deeper pools full of trout. While the size isn’t anything to write home about, the scenery, catch-rate, and adventurous hiking more than make up for it.

Boulder Ponds

If you’re looking for a different type of fly fishing, check out the Boulder Ponds. These ponds are close to downtown Boulder and provide the perfect opportunity to hone your skills.

Bass and bluegill are plentiful, and the shoreline offers enough room for beginners to get their bearings with a fly rod. 

Watching the local wildlife makes the trip worthwhile. Bald eagles, geese, muskrats, and all sorts of migratory birds frequent the ponds.

Poppers and streamers are great options here, as are small emerger patterns. The bluegill will take anything tossed at them, but the bass need more coaxing.

Here’s a tip: Toss a crawfish imitation and strip it in with a pause between strips. 

Clear Creek

Head west of Denver to the town of Golden to access Clear Creek. It’s a 25-minute drive from downtown.

The creek runs from Loveland Pass to its final destination in the South Platte River, and every step of its 66-mile length is worth exploring.

The portion that runs along I-70 through the canyon receives little pressure. It also boasts around 1,100 fish per mile.

The section between Golden and Idaho Springs is the best area to target wild browns. Rainbows, cutthroat and cutbows also call this section home.

The West Denver Trout Unlimited group has improved a section of the river through the town of Golden and renamed it “The Golden Mile.” It runs through town and has excellent access for anglers to target the browns in this section. 

If you’re in Denver for a day or two and want the mountain fly fishing experience, Clear Creek is the perfect option. It’s close, has a self-sustaining population, and will get you on the water in minutes.

The predominant hatches on Clear Creek are typically Baetis flies, though caddis and stoneflies show up in some areas. Stonefly hatches are something magical, so have a few in your box just in case you happen upon one.

Late summer calls for hoppers. Tying a hopper dropper rig will pay off.

Bear Creek

Bear Creek is south of I-70 and runs through Bear Creek Canyon from Evergreen Lake to Morrison. Several well-marked spots and parks dot the road, so plenty of access points exist.

The canyon offers great fishing, though you’ll have to navigate a steep, rugged shoreline to access the water. Massive boulders dot the landscape, so be careful while you get down to the water.

The park areas are easier to access, though receive far more attention. Trout can be wary around the park areas, though they regularly bite in the canyon.

Smaller-sized trout are found throughout the river, and surveys show over 2,400 fish per mile in the 

One of the most productive areas is the middle and lower section near Lair of the Bear. This area is popular amongst hikers and bikers, so it’s usually busy. Most of the cars in the lot aren’t there to fish, so it’s possible to have the water to yourself.

Above Lair of the Bear, the property lines and private vs. public access can get tricky. Instead, head to the Idledale and Morrison area. Deep pools and fantastic runs can be found throughout the lower creek.

Big Thompson River

The river runs from Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to the city of Loveland. On its way, it passes through Estes Park and the Big Thompson Canyon. 

A considerable section of the river is catch and release, from Olympus Dam to the Waltonia Bridge. This area is one of the best sections of water in all of Colorado. Browns and rainbows aggressively compete for your fly.

Browns are the main catch on the lower section of this river, also known as the Big T. Populations of browns increase the further downstream you go.

The middle and upper areas are more varied, with big rainbows and browns in the middle section and rainbows and brookies the closer you get to RMNP. 

Some sections through the canyon get a lot of pressure. When you find a spot without other anglers, be sure to take advantage. 

The best area is just below Lake Estes along Highway 34. The further down the canyon you progress, the steeper the grade. The steeper section has some epic pockets with giants hiding in them.

St. Vrain Creek

St. Vrain Creek is one of the very best spots to fish if you have an extended day. About an hour southwest of Denver, SVC has plenty to offer.

Where the creek leaves RMNP, rainbows, browns, brookies and cutthroats call the St. Vrain home. Stop off at the ranger’s station at Wild Basin and take the short hike to reach the best access. Below the park, the river traverses private property.

The North St Vrain canyon has some of the best fishing in the state, though access is difficult.

Middle St. Vrain has easier access than the North. Find the Peaceful Valley or Camp Dick campgrounds along HWY 72. Park and hike down to the river. The entire section is fantastic. Be aware of private property.

The South St. Vrain is the most accessible overall and comes along with a few lakes to cast streamers. Brainard Lake Recreation Area is the perfect launching point, though there’s a fee to park.

With the right flies on hand, you should crush it on St. Vrain Creek.

Upper South Platte River

The Upper South Platte River headwaters near South Park in the mountains west of Denver. Fishing often is best downstream in the tailwater sections below both Eleven Mile and Cheesman reservoirs.

The Upper South Platte is on the bucket list of most fly anglers, and for a good reason. Trophy rainbows and browns abound.

The town of Deckers has the easiest access to the river. Due to that, it’s crowded on weekends. Day trips on weekdays are much calmer. 

Downstream a little ways are several great spots that get less attention, so a hike is definitely worth your time.

If you’re looking for solitude and a challenge, head for Cheesman Canyon. The hike is challenging, but you’ll be rewarded with over 3,000 fish per mile. These fish don’t like being caught, so this is water more for the seasoned angler.

The points above where the North Fork of the South Platte River meets the South Platte at Waterton Canyon provide some of the best fly fishing anywhere.

Blue River

Starting at the dam on Dillon Reservoir, just outside Silverthorne, and ending at the confluence with the Colorado River close to Kremmling, the Blue River boasts fantastic fishing along its “Gold Medal” length.

Just outside Silverthorne, a little more than an hour west of Denver, the river behaves like most other tailwaters before changing into a freestone river downstream. 

The headwaters start on Quandary Peak, Colorado’s tallest mountain. If you’re sensitive to high altitudes, stick to the lower sections.

From the dam at Dillon Reservoir to Kremmling provides the best access to one of the state’s best trout streams.

Trophy rainbows are caught right below the Dillon dam. The local hatchery releases their brood stock in this section, and conditions allow others to grow into real beasts.

The Blue River benefits from abundant populations of Mysis Shrimp, and trout love them. 

The upper section runs pretty shallow, so it’s perfect for wading.

Several parking turnouts are available along HWY 9, and this stretch is primarily public land. 

Be sure to spend some quality time on the Blue. It’s an incredible fishery with even more striking scenery.