Clear Creek: Loveland Pass to Idaho Springs

Clear Creek: Loveland Pass to Idaho Springs — Fishing Report for April 27, 2026

Quick Stats

Flow: 43 CFS | Trend: Rising | Fishability: Good | Weather: Snow showers, high 45°F

The Bite

Snow showers and a 45°F high aren't exactly bluebird conditions, but don't let the forecast chase you off the water. Clear Creek is sitting at 43 CFS — well within the fishable range and still clear — and the persistent overcast that comes with a snow day can actually be your friend if temperatures nudge up enough to trigger a midge or BWO window. That said, with snow in the forecast every day through Wednesday, expect cold water and sluggish surface activity. The fish are here; they're just not going to come up and meet you.

Nymphing is the play today. Browns and rainbows will be holding in the slower water — the deeper slots behind boulders, the soft seams along cut banks, and the calmer water at the tail of pools. The Georgetown to Downieville stretch is the sweet spot: more structure, less pressure, and the kind of pocket water that rewards a patient upstream presentation. With a light snow year in the basin and flows already running above the 10-day average, the runoff pulse this spring should be milder and shorter than usual — which means this fishable window could extend well into May.

If temperatures hold near 45°F and the snow lightens around midday, keep an eye on slower tailouts for midge activity. A brief surface window between 11 AM and 2 PM is possible, but don't count on it today. Dry fly action will come — probably later this week as conditions stabilize — but right now the fish are down, and that's where your flies should be too.

What to Fish

• Copper John #16 — Anchor fly. Heavy enough to get down fast in cold, slightly elevated flows. Fish it on point.
• Juju Baetis #20-22 — Dropper, 14–16" above the Copper John. The go-to small nymph when BWO nymphs are active, which they should be even without a surface hatch.
• Hare's Ear #14-16 — Swap in for the Copper John in slower, shallower runs where you need less weight.
• Black Stonefly Nymph #14-16 — Worth a try in the riffles. Early-season stonefly nymphs are active and browns key on them.
• Griffith's Gnat #18-20 — Keep one rigged as a dry-dropper option if skies break and midges start clustering on the surface.
• Pheasant Tail #18 — Reliable all-day nymph when fish are being selective. Good backup dropper.

Tactics & Rigging

Rig a standard double-nymph setup: Copper John #16 on point with a Juju Baetis #20 trailing 14–16" above it on a 6–8" tag off the tippet knot, or simply tied in-line. Use 5X fluorocarbon to the anchor and 6X to the dropper. A strike indicator set 1.5–2x the water depth will help you read the subtle takes that come in cold water — fish aren't going to chase today. Focus your drifts on the inside seams of bends and the soft water just downstream of mid-stream boulders. Let the rig sink fully before it enters the target zone; in 45°F water, takes are often at the very end of the drift as the flies slow and rise.

If you catch a midday lull in the snow and see any surface activity, switch to a dry-dropper: Griffith's Gnat #18 as the dry with a Juju Baetis #22 dropped 12–18" below. Keep the leader long — 9 feet minimum — and present it drag-free through the tailouts. Don't force it if nothing's rising; go back to nymphing.

Access & Logistics

The I-70 corridor provides easy pull-off access along most of this stretch. Road conditions may be slick this morning given overnight snow — check CDOT before heading up. The Georgetown and Silver Plume pullouts are the most accessible and offer the best water. Crowds will be light today given the weather, which is one of the few perks of a snowy Monday.

Verify current regulations with CPW before fishing — rules can vary by stretch and change seasonally. If you spot gravel redds in the upper reaches, give them a wide berth; spawning activity is ongoing. Stop by Idaho Springs Outfitters for flies, local intel, and to support the shops that keep these fisheries healthy.

Looking Ahead

Snow showers are in the forecast through at least Wednesday, keeping water temps cold and flows slowly climbing. By mid-week, as the storm system clears, expect a brief window of better conditions — possibly the first reliable BWO afternoon of the season if skies open up Thursday or Friday. Watch the gauge; if flows push above 60 CFS, the smaller pocket water will get pushy, but the deeper pools will still fish well.