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Boulder Creek Tomorrow...

588 Views 16 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  atomiclaker
Going to hit up Boulder Creek tomorrow just below Gross reservoir. Any tips or advice for a total newbie? Any idea on what bugs to bring? I am going with a guy from work who knows the area and fly fishing in general well. This will be my 4th time casting a fly rod and my first time going with someone who knows what I am doing. My previous times were the base of Waterton canyon, some pond in Arvada, and the Platte through Denver last night. I plan on learning a lot tomorrow.

So, any advice for a beginner fly fisherman getting his first time on an actual mountain stream? Any advice for this particular water?
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Yellow stones
BWO midges, emergers and adults (smaller the better)

It is going to rain up there? buggers and small terrestrials like ants, beetles and simulators.

Sight fish where you can.
Thanks for the feedback. Are you saying it is going to rain? I had not heard that... I will pack a rain shell just in case.
Going to rain in the afternoon.

Morning will be good for indicator -> BWO midge -> emerger

Once it starts to rain don't immediately switch flies. Emergers and dry flies will still work well. Let the rain sink your dry fly because this is what naturally happens. Fish will be higher in the water due to the rain oxidation on the top layer of water sipping on drowned bugs.

Once it starts to rain harder (if it does) swap to a terrestrial setup or streamer fish. When it rains the minnows come out to play due to the bigger fish moving towards the banks and pushing them out (I think, not positive on the reasoning). Make sure to fish deeper at this point. If the water gets murky, fish wont see you and you wont see them.

Boulder creek fishes well through town and is easy to access.
Awesome information! I guess we are going below the dam somewhere. I am excited. There will be a lot of learning tomorrow.
Also, please if you are wearing felt tip boots...do not go to another water source without cleaning them with 120 degree water or proper soap. New Zealand Snails are all over boulder creek.
Does sniffing felt-tip boots get you high?
Also, please if you are wearing felt tip boots...do not go to another water source without cleaning them with 120 degree water or proper soap. New Zealand Snails are all over boulder creek.
Not felt bottom. I actually discussed this with my buddy today. I am going to hose off my boots tonight as they were in the Platte last night. Not sure if there is much concern there but better to play it safe. I will wash them after Boulder creek too.
Any luck on the platte?
I was down by Invesco going after carp. It was also my first time nymphing. The water was full of sediment, no visibility, and higher than I wanted. While I am new to fly fishing I am not new to fishing and I have never seen the Platte so murky. Normally floating vegetation but never so cloudy like that. I thought it was from the construction a mile or two upstream but another poster here posted the same exact thing only upstream of the construction.

Needless to say, zero luck. It was more of a practice session for me anyway and literally my second time in the water with a fly rod. The Platte is a few blocks from the office so it worked out. The plan was to go after some carp in between the office and the gym. I caught nothing but managed to create some amazing knots, so amazing I don't think anyone has ever made them before.

I have a lot to learn...
SoBo below Gross is at 14 cfs rgiht now. Go elsewhere.
SoBo below Gross is at 14 cfs rgiht now. Go elsewhere.
Is that bad?

Again, I am completely new to this stuff.
The water was full of sediment, no visibility, and higher than I wanted. While I am new to fly fishing I am not new to fishing and I have never seen the Platte so murky. Normally floating vegetation but never so cloudy like that. I thought it was from the construction a mile or two upstream but another poster here posted the same exact thing only upstream of the construction.
I was fishing south of Alameda. Couldn't make out the channels that are so easy to see normally through there. Water level is extremely high. I read somewhere yesterday that CFS on the Platte below Chatty is at it's highest levels in 6 years. They're releasing water in anticipation of runoff. That's why the water is so cloudy/high... Normally, you can see the carp in the channels and the flats are above water. Right now, there's nothing above water except trees.
Just looked it up... Platte below Chatty at 460 CFS. Wow!
14 cfs is REALLY Skinny up there. It is a bummer that they can't keep a minimal flow going for them poor trouts. :(

I think it fishes best @ 80-100. Well, I guess I can't say, because I haven't been up there since the floods.

14 cfs will be frustrating.
14 cfs is REALLY Skinny up there. It is a bummer that they can't keep a minimal flow going for them poor trouts. :(

I think it fishes best @ 80-100. Well, I guess I can't say, because I haven't been up there since the floods.

14 cfs will be frustrating.
I don't know if the fishing report was wrong but the water was fantastic. I didn't catch anything but hooked a few. My buddy caught 4 or 5. It was beautiful and the water was great. Only problem? People. Probably about 10 other guys in the water. My buddy is convinced the only reason I was skunked is because we were first in but as people showed up the fish were scared off. Still a fantastic day and fantastic experience overall.

I was skunked but for my first time fly fishing I could not be happier. I don't think I will ever be rid of this new, amazing hobby.
If your below gross then you are fishing south boulder creek. Most of that water is private aside from the walkers ranch area. FYI.
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