Clear Creek

~229 cfs, a tad above optimal (snoflo ~44% of median; Rise Beyond/RMA: ~170 on 6/20, now ~229) — 'pocket water season,' fishing pretty good and better than usual for June; water temp 44-52°F; clear to slight stain (a storm can bump/dirty it fast — watch the hydrograph)

Finally fishing like summer — Rise Beyond June: 'Flows are up but still way below historical average; water clarity has improved nicely, but a good storm can change that quickly. Hopper-dropper is the way to go — run a small RS2 behind your jig fly for a few more eats.' Mornings give the best combo of clarity and manageable flows; as temps rise, trout move into feeding lanes and chase. Keep moving, fish short controlled drifts. Tuber hatch is on in Golden, so head up into the canyon for pocket water. Today (Sun Jul 5) ~91°F plains, sunny and hot — fish the morning; scattered storms Tue–Wed can bump flows/stain briefly, so watch the gauge. Tunnel 1 (Idaho Springs) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Upper Silver Plume, Golden Stretch all producing.

Closest urban water to Brighton (~25 mi). Status UPGRADED from pre-runoff to Fishing Well — Rise Beyond June: more water than recent weeks, clarity improved, 'finally fishing like summer.' Water temp 44-52°F. NRCS 2026: S. Platte basin May-Jul runoff forecast 37% of median, snowpack peaked Mar 17 at 42% of normal — full blowout unlikely this year. Hopper-dropper (jig fly + RS2 trailer); 5X anchors, 6X for tiny midges. Weekday pattern: today (Sun Jul 5) ~91°F plains, sunny and hot; scattered storms Tue–Wed, heat rebuilds late week. Tuber/rafting season ramping in Golden — share the canyon, head upstream.