Bear Creek Custom Fly Selection

The Flies:

The custom fly selection you are about to order will consist of a dozen hand selected flies from the fly bins of Anglers All. These flies will be selected by an Anglers All staff member using the knowledge, research and experience of the collective Anglers All team, based on the month you will be fishing Bear Creek. These selections will include nymphs, midges, dry flies and a streamer or two. Your package will include your ordered flies in a reusable Anglers All fly cup, as well as a list with names and descriptions of your flies. The dozen you will receive will not guarantee fish caught, but include the flies we would bring to the water if we were to fish it with you!

The Forecast:

OK, you are about to get all dialed in on flies, but you will need a little more information on weather, flows and river access points, right? Check out our Fishing Report partners and friends at FlyCast River Forecast - CLICK HERE FOR FISHING REPORTS

The Bear Creek Drainage:

With all of the spectacular fishing the Front Range has to offer, Bear Creek tends to keep a low profile. The small freestone creek originates high in the Mount Evans Wilderness and carves through the towns of Evergreen, Kittredge, Idledale, and Morrison before eventually emptying into the South Platte River in Englewood.

Bear Creek has a vibrant population of wild brown trout that reproduces naturally. Yes, they were stocked once upon a time. That said, the majority of the small browns (most in the 6”-10” range) you’ll find in the creek today are the stream-bred descendants of those stockers from years ago. 

The rainbow trout are a different story. While you may find a unicorn bow here and there, the majority of Bear Creek’s rainbow trout population is comprised of stockers in the 8”-12” range. When you finally put one in the net, one look at these trout and you’ll know without a doubt: this fish was born in a hatchery.

The brown and rainbow trout make up most of Bear Creek’s trout population, but it is possible to find brook trout higher in the drainage. To find them, you have to journey into the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. Consult a few topographical maps and double down on your prep work before hiking into the wilderness sections of Bear Creek. The fishing can be outstanding, but getting caught in a sketchy situation due to a lack of planning can be devastating to morale.

Wild fish, stocked fish, whatever; the point of fishing Bear Creek is not to hunt for monster trout. It’s to have a stellar day of dry fly or dry/dropper fishing in a beautiful stretch of skinny water just outside of the metro Denver area. Bring your shortest, lightest rod (preferably a 2wt-4wt from 6.5’-7.5’) and cover lots of water. Bear Creek is full of trout. The trick is to keep moving until you find the ones that are most agreeable.

Best Access Points:

Town of Morrison - Park in the public lots in downtown Morrison and hop in the river. This area can get crowded during peak season, as hordes of tourists will flock to quaint mountain towns like Morrison and Evergreen.

Lair O’ The Bear Park - Easily the most popular stretch of Bear Creek. If you visit “Lair O’ The Bear” on a weekend, be sure to arrive early. The parking lot may be large, but fills up quickly.

O’Fallon Park + Corwina Park - These two parks are located between the town of Kittredge and Lair O’ The Bear Park. These areas of Bear Creek are visited by lots of anglers, but do not get hammered nearly as hard as Lair O’ The Bear

Town of Evergreen - Similar to the experience in Morrison, fishing Bear Creek in the town of Evergreen is a very public experience. That said, the area is known to harbor some of the largest trout in the creek. You are also able to fish the creek below or above Evergreen Lake, and even fish the lake itself. Evergreen Lake is home to the same species that thrive in the creek, but with the addition of a few tiger muskie.

Mount Evans Wilderness Area - Bear Creek in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area is a far different animal than it is after flowing through Evergreen. The creek is characterized by quick pocket water and tight casting windows. While the technical aspect of the fishing may be slightly more difficult, the small trout that call this section of Bear Creek home will eagerly attack dry flies. If you can nail the timing, fishing the Mount Evans’ area can be a blast.