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): 

Our local creeks are easily some of the best options right now! Most flows have dropped to prime levels. 

WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F): 

40’s - 60’s

WATER CLARITY:

Clear

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:

Some of our best options right now are our local creeks. Dry fly action has been spectacular on just about every small creek. It can almost be hard to go wrong when choosing flies. Adjusting and experimenting can lead to some great success. If i am not throwing dries, I am throwing a shallow hopper dropper rig with an attractor down to somnething a little more natural.