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Fishing St. Vrain Creek in Lyons

Fly fishing St. Vrain Creek in Lyons: catch-and-release, flies-and-lures-only rules in town, public access, flows and the best flies by season.

Updated November 14, 2026. 2 min read.

Right now

Flow nowLoading…
WeatherLoading…

Live from USGS gauge 06724000 and National Weather Service.

What to tie on now

Flies
Zebra midge #20-22, pheasant tail #18-20, small BWO nymph #20; Griffith's gnat for risers
Rig
Two-fly nymph rig under a small indicator, 6x to the point fly. Short, slow drifts through the pools.

Best flow range here: about 15 to 80 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
Freestone creek through the town of Lyons
Drive from Denver
About 50–60 minutes from north Denver
Access
Town parks and paths along the creek
Regulations
In Lyons town limits: flies and lures only, trout released
Best for
Eager trout on dries, a day trip with lunch in town
Season
Best summer and fall; watch spring runoff
Dogs
Leashed dogs in town parks; check park rules

Where to park

Bohn Park

  • 199 2nd Ave, a short walk from downtown. River access along the park, including an accessible fishing area.
  • LaVern M. Johnson (Meadow) Park also has river access, but parking there is $5 per 4 hours.

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Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.

Overview

The St. Vrain runs right through Lyons, with easy access from town parks and paths. The fish are opportunistic and happy to eat a dry fly. Flows swing with snowmelt in spring, so check the gauge first.

Regulations in town

Within the town limits of Lyons, the North and South St. Vrain are artificial flies and lures only, and trout must be released immediately. CPW enforces it, so leave the bait at home.

Flies

Upstream options

The North St. Vrain below Button Rock Reservoir is a small tailwater with steady fishing, and the forks above Lyons get more remote. Much of the land between is private, so stick to marked public access.

Questions anglers ask

Can you use bait on the St. Vrain in Lyons?
No. Inside Lyons town limits it's flies and lures only, and trout must be released.
Is the St. Vrain good for beginners?
Yes. The fish are eager and access from town is easy.
When is the St. Vrain too high?
During spring runoff. Check the flow before you go.

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