Local Creeks
UPDATED: 4/29/25
Exploring Summit County's small creeks is a great option for an angler that wants to get off the beaten path. During the spring, summer, and fall months, trout are constantly looking for an easy meal in these less pressured creeks. You may or may not find the trophy trout to tell your friends about, but we can guarantee the picturesque views and beauty of the fish that reside there will make it even more memorable than you think. Most of our local creeks hold a nice population of brookies, browns, rainbows, and cutthroat trout. Small to medium dry flies are by far the most exciting way to target these fish, but nymphs and streamer can work well too.
Current Small Creek Conditions:
RIVER FLOW(Cubic Feet Per Second):
Local creeks have become ice free and flows are starting to rise as we inch closer to runoff.
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
30’s
WATER CLARITY:
Some are staying clear, others are off-color due to runoff.
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
| Stoneflies | Baetis | midge larva/pupa/adults | worms, small fish, leeches etc. |
Flies to Try
NYMPHS:
Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph size 14-20 | TDJ Golden Stone 16-20 | Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph size 14-20 | San Jaun Flash Worm Red | JuJu Sally size 16-20 | UV midge chocolate size 18-22 | Sparkle Wing RS2 size 18-22
DRIES:
Micro-Chubbies 12-16 | Hippy Stomper Yellow or Brown size 10-14 | Parachute Adams size 14-22 | Royal or Yellow Humpy 14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis yellow size 14-18 | Pearl and Elk Caddis size 14-16 | Solitude Midge black size 18-22 |
STREAMERS:
| Slump Busters | Sculpzillas | Hot Head Squirrel Leeches |
Guide Tip of the Week:
Local creeks have been opening up but fishing is slow as the water temperatures remain very cold. The best time of year to fish small mountain creeks is post runoff, typically in July or August. If you're looking for a decent place to fish a small creek, Ten Mile Creek and the Copper Ponds offer good fishing. As temperatures warm and flows rise, the small ponds will fish better than the creek itself.
