Right now
Live from USGS gauge 06710500 and National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Zebra midge #20-22, small pheasant tail #18-20, San Juan worm after a warm spell
- Rig
- Light nymph rig, 6x, small indicator or tight-line in the slow pools.
Best flow range here: about 5 to 40 cfs. The live flow above tells you where today sits.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- Small freestone creek in Bear Creek Canyon
- Drive from Denver
- About 30–40 minutes from north Denver
- Access
- Lair o' the Bear, Corwina and O'Fallon parks, plus Morrison
- Best for
- Wild browns, small-stream dries, quick trips
- Season
- Best spring through fall; winter on warm middays
- Fish size
- Mostly 7–14 inch brown trout
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash on the park trails
Where to park
Lair o' the Bear Trailhead
- 22550 CO-74, west of Morrison. Free. The main lot fills early, often before 9 a.m. on sunny weekends.
- If it's full, try O'Fallon Park or Corwina Park just up the road rather than parking illegally.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Overview
Bear Creek is a small canyon creek full of wild brown trout, close enough for an evening session. Most anglers start at Lair o' the Bear Park near Idledale, where a trail follows the creek. It gets busy with hikers and picnickers on weekend afternoons, so go early.
Where to fish
- Lair o' the Bear: the most popular stretch, with trail access along the creek.
- Corwina and O'Fallon parks: upstream, smaller and quieter.
- Lower creek through Idledale and Morrison: more water, but watch for private property signs.
Flies and tactics
In summer the browns aren't picky: an attractor dry or caddis (#14–16) gets eaten. In winter, fish midges and small nymphs in the slow pockets, plunge pools and tailouts during the warmest part of the day. Hip waders are plenty.
Respect the creek
Low flows concentrate fish in a few pools. If you find them stacked up, fish lightly and move on. Much of the upper creek is private, so stay within posted public access.
Questions anglers ask
- Can you fly fish at Lair o' the Bear?
- Yes. It's the most popular public stretch of Bear Creek, with a trail along the water.
- How big are the fish in Bear Creek?
- Mostly 7–14 inch wild browns, with the occasional bigger fish.
- Is Bear Creek good in winter?
- It can be, during midday warmth with small flies in slow water.
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