St. Vrain Creek Fishing Report Updated 05/01/24
(Bottom Of Page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Size
Small
Location
North Central Colorado
Nearest Towns
Lyons Colorado
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Colorado
Weather
National Weather Service Link Stream Flow Data:
Real Time USGS Data (Below
Longmont)
Seasons:
Most of the headwaters of this creek is in very high country. It is a very cold stream.
Spring:
The fishing generally starts in mid-April. June is the time of the runoff.
Summer:
The summer months are usually the best months to fish.
Fall:
flows can make it tougher to hide from and fool the trout.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing On The St. Vrain Creek In Colorado
The St. Vrain is a very beautiful creek. It offers about everything a small stream could possible offer. All four species of trout are present in the stream. There are mostly brown and rainbow trout in the lower sections but the higher elevations hold plenty of brook trout and cutthroat trout. The creek offers about everything any avid small stream angler could ask for. Casting is easy in most places, yet most of the time, a twelve foot cast is all you need. It offers pocket water fishing at its best.
The stream offers just about all the challenges a small stream should offer. It has areas of tight cover and thick stream-side vegetation. You have to make very good presentations in most cases. You have to pay attention to what is hatching, and that isn’t exactly easy because multiple hatches are common. Fly fishing St. Vrain Creek can be a little challenging at times.
The St. Vrain Creek has three main forks that form the main stream. Colorado state highway #7 follows along about ten miles of the South Fork of St. Vrain Creek. There are many places you can park and fish along the road. There is a trailhead for the South Fork located on County Road 96 off highway #72. The trail will take you back into the high country.
The Middle Fork can be accessed from a trailhead in Peaceful Valley. The trail goes all the way to the headwaters of the Middle Fork. Some of the lower part of the Middle Fork flows along highway #72.
The North Fork is found on Colorado #7. There is a trailhead at Wild Basin that goes into the high country of the Rocky Mountain National Park at this location. You can also access the North Fork below Button Rock Reservoir.
St. Vrain Creek is a small stream fishing paradise. That probably only makes sense to a die hard small stream angler but when compared to other streams called “small” streams, it ranks right up at the top of the list. The trout aren’t all that big, but when you catch a good one, you know you have done a good job or got lucky one or the other. It is rare to blank. The trout are far less than selective. Unless the waters almost frozen, you can expect to hook into a few little monsters. You won’t have to fight the competition, and if you use a little caution you won’t
have to worry about fishing behind someone. Most of the anglers are fishing the other more popular streams in the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fly Fishing Guide to St. Vrain Creek
The three branches of the St. Vrain Creek are quite small and run through canyons. Fly fishing the St. Vrain backcountry is an completely different from the fly fishing along the road. You are almost unlimited to just how far you want to go up the headwater streams, however, generally speaking, the farther you go the smaller the streams and the smaller the fish get. Big trout just don’t live in small streams at higher elevations. A big plus is that the small cutthroat and brook trout that do survive there are very aggressive and fairly easy to catch.
These streams start at elevations as high as 12,000 feet. Just how far you venture upstream will greatly depend on the physical shape you are in. Most anglers heading into the backcountry take only a minimum amount of fly fishing gear. Most of the time the basic gear consist of one shorter, light fly rod and a small fly box with a few select flies. The big advantage of the backcountry trip is being able to get away from everything and everybody where you can just enjoy the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Theres a lot of water readily accessible from highways #7 and #72. When you are fishing only a few yards from your vehicle, you can take just about anything you want along with you. You have a lot of options fishing the mid to lower elevations that are easily accessed. You will usually have a lot more company consisting not only of other anglers, but tourist as well. This Front Range area gets a lot of visitors during the summer months.
Most all of the water, except for some meadow type sections, consist of pocket water. The three branches of St. Vrain Creek decent from high elevations at a steep decline. The best procedure, with some exceptions, is to fish in an upstream directions. The riffles and runs usually produce the most fish. You can catch trout from the pools but for the most part, we suggest concentrating on the faster water. One good tip we can give you is to place your fly where you see the lines of bubbles. That is where the food is most likely to be drifting and where the trout are most likely feeding.
St. Vrain Creek Hatches and Trout Flies:
Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in St. Vrain Creek and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else.
1-800-594-4726
Remember the elevation of the St. Vrain Creek changes drastically from the headwaters of its three branches to the foothills. Hatch times vary considerably with changes in elevation due to varying water temperatures. Keep in mind our time tables cover the entire spectrum so the hatch at any one area may not be near as long as the period of time stated.
The BWOs, or Blue-winged Olives, consisting mostly of baetis species hatch during April and May. These are bi-brooded insects and hatch again about the middle of September through October. They are as important as any mayfly on this stream. The next most important mayflies are the PMDs or Pale Morning Duns which hatch from about the last week of June through August.
Western March Browns hatch during the month of April. These mayflies are very plentiful on the St. Vrian Creek. Green Drakes hatch during the months of July and August. This hatch varies depending on the location on the creek and the type of water. Red Quills also hatch during July and August. These mayflies are very plentiful in certain areas.
Golden Stoneflies hatch from about the middle of June into the month of August depending on the location and elevation. Little Yellow Stoneflies, or Yellow Sallies, hatch from late May into August. Brachycentrus americanus or Little Black Caddis, referred to as the Mother’s Day Hatch in many Western streams, start hatching in late April. The hatch generally last about three weeks but progresses upstream each day.
Helicopsyche borealis, or the Speckled Peter Caddisflies, hatch during June. They can be very plentiful in certain areas.Several species of Green Sedges, or Green Caddisflies whichever you prefer, are present. It includes the Rhyacophila acropedes. The larvae of these caddisfiles
are called “Rock Worms” and imitations of them are very effective just about anytime of the year. These caddisflies hatch from about the middle of May until through August.
Terrestrial insects become very important from about the first of July through the month of September. Imitations of grasshopper, ants, and beetles will all catch trout.
Streamers can be important flies to use during low light conditions, or when the water is stained from rain or melting snow. The stream has a large population of Sculpin, so imitations of them are always choice streamers.
As always, we recommend our “Perfect Fly” trout flies. They are the most realistic and most effective trout flies you can purchase. If you haven’t already done so, please give them an opportunity to prove their effectiveness to you. We are confident that you will be glad you did.
Arctopsyche grandis, or the Great Gray Spotted Sedges, hatch during the month of July. These are very large caddisflies.
Hydropsyche species hatch throughout the summer. They are the most plentiful of all the caddisflies on the stream. Imitations of their larvae, pupae and of the adults will catch trout throughout the summer months. They hatch from June through August.
St. Vrain Creek Fishing Report:
02/01/2020 The stream is runing at near a
normal level. Good hatches are still taking
place.
03/18/2020 The creek is still very cold
but trout are being caught mostly on
midgees and winter stoneflies.
04/17/20 The stream levels are fine.
Cooler weather has slowed the hatches
but this will improve this coming week.
05/03/20 The stream levels are still low
and the water clear. You should be able
to catch trout. There are some good
hatches.
05/21/20 Trout are still being caught.
The water levels are a little above normal
but in good shape otherwise. There are
some good hatches.
06/04/20 The levels are still above normal
but fishable in places. Good hatches are
going on.
06/22/20 The river is in good shape and
trout are being caught. There are multiple
hatches taking place.
07/05/20 Conditions are very good,
especially in the headwaters. Good
hatches are taking place.
07/16/20 The river is low but otherwise
in very good shape. There are good
hatches that vary with the section and
elevation.
07/31/20 The upper headwaters are
turning out good numbers of trout but
they can be caught in all sections. Good
hatches are still taking place.
08/18/20 The stream levels are low but
not so low that it is adversely affecting
the catching. Good hatches and good
reports are coming in from customers.
09/07/20 The river is still flowing at a low
level. We recommend fishing the upper
sections in the park for the best results.
There are still some good hatches taking
place and we continue to get good
customer reports.
10/24/20 There are trout being caught by
our customers in the lower section of the
river.
11/15/20 Stream levels are low but we
are getting a few good reports from
customer. Midges and BWOs are
hatching. Sculpin streamers working.
12/16/20 The water is cold averaging
about 40 degrees. Midges and little
BWOs, and winter stonefies are hatching.
12/28/20 We received one good report
this past week. Good hatches are taking
place. Stream levels are a little low.
01/14/21 Fish the lower elevations
where the water is a tad warmer. Midges
and winter stoneflies are hatching.
01/29/21 Stream levels are near normal.
Fish the lowest elevations that hold trout.
Midges, Winter stones and BWOs.
02/22/21 The stream levels are okay.
Again, fish the lower elevations. Midges,
little BWOs, winter and little brown
stoneflies are hatching.
03/19/21 The stream is low and cold.
There is a lot of slush ice in the middle
and upper sections. You may do okay in
the lowest section using our midges.
05/01/21 The creek is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are hatches of Blue-winged olives, little Black Caddis, Little brown stoneflies, March Browns and midges.
05/09/21 The stream is in okay shape except the water is a little low and trout are being caught in good numbers. Green sedge caddis have started to hatch.
05/25/21 The stream is high and stained from runoff. Fish as soon as it drops and clears.
06/01/21 The creek is still too high to fish due to runoff. Wait until it clears and drops.
06/11/21 The stream is still too high to fish.
06/23/21 The stream is low but we are starting to get some good reports from customers. There are some very good hatches taking place. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
07/06/21 The stream level is up a good bit above normal but clear. We are getting good reports from customers fishing the upper sections of the stream. Good hatches are taking place.
07/15/21 The stream level is in good shape. We are getting some very good reports from customers. All sections are turning out trout. There are very good hatches and our terrestrials are working.
07/22/21 The stream levels are just a little above normal level and the creek in good shape. There are plenty insects hatching and we are getting some very good reports.
07/30/21 The river is back down a little below normal levels. We are still getting good reports from customers thanks to the good hatches taking place.
08/04/21 The stream is at a normal level and in good shape. We are getting some good reports from customers. There are still some good hatches taking place.
08/13/21 The stream is low again and you have to use caution to stay hidden from the trout. They will still eat in low water. There are still some good hatches taking place.
Stream levels are slightly below normal, but with thunderstorms in the forecast for the next three days, they should come back up.
8/18/21 Stream levels are still below normal so use care to stay hidden from the trout. Chances of thunderstorms for the next five days should bring the levels back up and improve fishing.
8/19/21 The levels fell overnight and are considerably below normal. There is a chance of thunderstorms today and then clearing thru Mon. There are still some good hatches and we are receiving reports of fish being caught.
08/21/21 The creek is still in good shape. The levels are a little above a normal level for a change. The water is clear. There are good hatches taking place.
08/23/21 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing the past week. The levels are a little low but okay. Mahogany duns have started to hatch good.
8/24/21 We still have not received any reports. The stream levels are a little below normal, but should still be okay. A chance of thunderstorms Wed. through Sat. should bring the levels back up.
8/25/21 Stream levels remain unchanged and below normal. Slight chances of thunderstorms for the next five days should help bring levels back up.
8/26/21 Stream levels rose slightly overnight, but are still below normal. We got a report that the stream was still okay to fish and fish were being caught.
08/28/21 The stream is still low but trout are still being caught by customers fishing in the park. There are good hatches taking place.
08/29/21 We received a good report from a customer fishing the middle fork of the stream day before yesterday afternoon using our little Yellow stoneflies.
09/06/21 The levels remain below normal but we are receiving reports of fish being caught. Fish the upper sections of the stream.
09/09/21 The stream continues to run below normal, but thunderstorms forecast Saturday through Tuesday could improve things. We continue to get reports of fish being caught from our customers.
09/11/21 Stream levels remain unchanged and are still below normal, but in good shape. Rain is still forecast for the next few days and will hopefully bring the levels up.
09/21/21 The water is still low but okay. We are getting good reports from the sections in the park. There are good BWO hatches taking place as well as other insects.
09/23/21 Levels rose slightly, but remain below normal. Our customers in the park are still catching fish and several of our patterns are working.
09/29/21 Levels have fluctuated over the last week and are currently a little below normal. The stream is in good shape and fish are being caught.
10/12/21 Stream levels are in good shape and the cooler weather a big help. We received two good reports recently.
10/23/21 Conditions are good. We are still getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
11/01/21 The stream is in good shape with good levels and clear water. There are good hatches taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers.
11/09/21 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers this past week.
11/17/21 The stream is just a little below normal level. We received two good reports this past week. There are good BWO, blood midges and Mahogany dun hatches.
11/25/21 More good reports came in this past week. The creek is still in okay shape and turning out good numbers of trout in its lower sections.
12/05/21 We didn’t receive any reports this past week but conditions remain good.
12/13/21 The stream is a little low and clear. Fish the lower sections. There may be some banks and slush ice in places.
12/21/21 The stream is still a little low but okay. Fish the lower sections. Midges are hatching.
12/29/21 The stream is still low and the water cold in the mid thirties. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone last week.
01/06/22 We still didn’t get any reports from anyone this past week. The water is cold but there are good midge hatches and you can catch trout. Fish the lower elevations of the creek.
01/14/22 Stream levels are very low and the water cold. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week.
01/22/22 We still didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week. Winter stoneflies and midges are hatching.
01/30/22 The water is very cold in all sections. We recommend fishing the South Platte until it warms a little.
02/07/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. The water is very cold.
02/15/22 Conditions are okay and there are midge, little BWO, winter stonefly and Skwala stonefly hatches taking place but we still didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
02/23/22 We didn’t get any reports from anyone fishing this past week. The water is very cold but trout can be caught on midges and skwala stonefly nymphs.
03/03/22 We recommend fishing a tailwater. This stream is very cold with lots of slush ice.
03/11/22 It is possible to catch trout on midges and Skwala stoneflies but it will be slow. Fish a nearby tailwater until the water warms just a little.
03/19/22 The stream is still very cold and we recommend fishing a nearby tailwater. Wait until it warms just a little.
03/28/22 The water is a little warmer so you might give it a try. Midges and Skwala stoneflies are hatching.
04/04/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level but in good shape. Good hatches continue to take place and you should be able to catch trout.
04/12/22 We are getting good reports from customers fishing the creek. Good hatches of Blue-winged olives, Little Black caddis, Skwala stoneflies and Midges continue to take place.
04/20/22 Stream levels are still well below normal levels. Good hatches continue to take place. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week. March Browns are hatching.
04/28/22 The stream is up to near a normal level and in good shape. Good hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
05/14/22 Conditions remain pretty good. We received two good reports from customers recently.
05/21/22 Stream levels are back up again. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing it this past week.
05/28/22 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. There’s no signs of runoff yet.
06/05/22 The stream is still down low enough to fish but we still didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing.
06/13/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Stream levels are a little higher than desirable but can still be fished successfully.
06/20/22 Stream levels are down a lot and it can be waded in some places with caution. Good hatches exist. We should start getting good reports very soon.
06/28/22 The stream is down low enough to fish well. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week but we should start seeing some very soon.
07/05/22 Conditions are good. We are getting good reports from customers again. Good hatches are taking place.
07/13/22 The stream is down a little below normal level in good shape. There are good hatches taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers.
07/20/22 The stream is still a little low but okay. Stay hidden from the trout as best you can. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good reports.
07/27/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing in the park this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
08/03/22 Stream levels are down and the creek in good shape. There are good hatches taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
08/10/22 We are still getting good reports from customers. The stream levels are down below normal level and you do need to use caution to stay hidden as best you can.
08/17/22 The stream is flowing above normal levels but okay. There are good hatches taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
08/17/22 The stream is in good shape flowing near a normal level. Good late summer hatches are taking place.
09/01/22 The stream is flowing close to a normal level and mostly clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
09/08/22 The stream is a little low but okay. We received another good report from a customer fishing this past week.
09/22/22 Conditions remain good. Stream levels are still a little low but okay. Good early Fall season hatches are taking place including October Caddis.
10/08/22 Conditions are okay. Good BWO, October caddis and midge hatches are taking place. We continue to get a few good reports.
10/22/21 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches. We received one good report from this past week.
11/18/22 The stream is flowing at a good level and clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week using our Cream midge larva and pupa tandem rigged flies.
01/03/23 The stream is running slightly below normal and in good shape. Moderate weather should make for a fair week if fishing. Good winter hatches continue.
02/13/23 The stream is low and clear as well as very cold. There is a lot of slush ice in the slower moving water. Midges, little bwos, and Winter stoneflies are hatching.
02/29/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level but there is a lot of slush ice in the water. We suggest holding off until it warms up a little.
03/10/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and very cold with slush ice in the slower moving water. Good midge and Skwala stonefly hatches are taking place.
03/23/23 The stream is still in good shape level wise but very cold. We didn’t receive any reports during the last week.
04/04/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape except for being cold. Midge hatches, Skwala stonefly and little BWOs are hatching.
04/16/23 Stream levels are a little high but okay. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/26/23 The stream levels are high. Give it a day or two to drop and clear. We have received two good reports in the past ten days.
05/08/23 Stream levels are too high to fish well.
05/20/23 Stream levels are down a lot but still a little over normal level. It could be fished successfully as of today.
05/30/23 Stream levels are still just a little above normal level and the water clear. Very good hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
06/11/23 The stream is very high from runoff. Check back with us. We will keep you informed.
06/27/23 The stream is still very high from runoff. Check back with us. It should start dropping back down soon.
07/04/23 The stream is getting into very good shape fast. It can be fished successfully now in some places.
07/12/23 The stream is still above a normal level and stained some. Good hatches are taking place. We have one good report from a customer fishing our sculpin streamers.
07/19/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received another good report this past week. It helps to use flies that look like and are named after the real things or Perfect flies.
07/30/23 Sorry for the late report. The stream is flowing a little below normal level in good shape. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good reports from customers.
08/06/23 The stream is still turning out a lot of trout and they are coming from all sections of the stream from the headwater to the lowest section that holds trout. Good hatches are coming off and our terrestrial patters are working good.
08/17/23 The stream is still in great shape wit good hatches coming off. Our terrestrials are also working good. We are getting several good reports a week from customers fishing it.
08/23/23 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. It is best to match the hatch for the most success. That is what Perfect flies is all about. They look like the real things.
09/06/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good late season hatches are still coming off. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
08/29/23 Conditions remain very good. There are good late season hatches taking place and our terrestrial patterns are also working good.
09/13/23 The stream is flowing at a good level with clear water. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
09/20/23 The stream is still in very good shape with lots of good reports coming in.
09/27/23 The stream is flowing a little below normal but okay. All sections are turning out trout. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/03/23 The stream is a still in good shape flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and we continue to get good catch reports.
10/11/23 The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
10/27/23 Sorry for missing the last report. The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. We received another good report from a customer fishing this past week.
11/04/23 Steam levels are okay and the water is clear. Good late season hatches continue to take place.
11/11/23 The stream is still near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are still coming off. Our cream and red midge, pre-rigged in tandem with the larva at the bottom and pupa about 16 inches up works good here.
11/18/23 The stream is still in good shape and turning out some good catches for our customers.
11/28/23 The stream is cold but in good shape otherwise. Midges, our creams and bloods or red ones, are working good. The work best with the larva and pupa rigged in tandem.
12/31/23 The stream is low and cold. You will need to stay hidden as you best you can to keep from spooking the trout. Midges, light greens and red or blood midges are hatching.
01/15/24 The stream is flowing a little below normal and clear. There are good light green and red or blood midge hatches as well as Winter stoneflies.
01/24/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. Good midge and Winter stonefly hatches continue to take place.
02/06/24 The stream is flowing just a little above a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
02/20/24 The stream is still flowing a little above a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good light green midge and Winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
02/27/24 The stream is flowing close to a normal level and clear. We received two more good reports from customers this past week.
03/13/24 The stream s flowing near a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing it yesterday. Skwala stoneflies and Light Green and Red, or blood Midges are hatching.
03/20/24 The stream is flowing well above a normal level and stained. Give it a day or two to drop and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/27/24 Good conditions exist. Good hatches are taking place and the stream levels are okay.
04/03/24 The stream level is high and the water stained. Give it a day or two to drop and clear. We have been getting good reports from customers.
04/13/24 The stream is still high but can be fished in several places. It should drop and clear soon. Good midge, BWO, Skwala stonefly and Little Black Caddis hatches are taking place.
04/19/24 The stream is still flowing well above a normal level and stained. Give it some time to drop and clear.
04/24/24 The stream is still above a normal level and stained.
05/01/24 The stream is down to near a normal level and mostly clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
Send us an email to sales@perfectflystore.com for a recommended fly list.