FOOTHILLS FISHING REPORT

The tail end of summer is here, and the rivers around the Front Range are starting to feel the shift toward fall. Water levels have dropped from the big runoff of early summer, and most creeks are flowing clear and cold in the mornings, warming up as the day goes on.

On Clear Creek, you’ll find fish most active earlier in the day, when the water is cool and shaded. Bear Creek, being smaller, can warm up faster in the afternoons — which often pushes trout into deeper pools or under overhanging trees where they feel safe. The South Platte, with its bigger flow, holds its temperature a bit better, but even there, mornings and evenings are your best bet for active trout.

As the seasons turn, fish begin to sense the shorter days. They feed a little more aggressively, stocking up before the colder months. This means you don’t need to overthink your approach: a simple dry fly drifting on the surface or a small nymph just under the water will get looks. Right now, late-summer caddis flies, tiny mayflies, and the occasional grasshopper blown into the river are the main food sources.

Fly fishing is a relatively simple pursuit: bugs hatch, trout eat, and your job is to put something in front of them that looks close enough. Keep your casts short and your flies drifting naturally with the current, and you’ll have a shot at watching a fish rise.

Late August is one of the best times to be on the water — warm days, cool evenings, and that sense that autumn is right around the corner. The next two weeks will only get better: crisp mornings, hungry trout, and golden leaves just starting to show.

THE BRIEFING

Sunrise 6:18 AM
Sunset 7:51 PM
Fire Bans - Yes, Stage 1
Clear Creek Status - Green Flag, Open to All Uses

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This weekend, take in this fine art show in the cool mountain air. Fantastic artists, children’s activities, local music, food and drinks, and an awesome atmosphere. Happening Saturday and Sunday at Buchanan Field in Evergreen, with more deets below

FARMERS MARKETS

Golden Library Parking Lot, Golden- (Saturday) Golden Farmers Market, 8am-1pm. Fresh

Olde Town, Arvada- (Sunday) Farmers Market, 9am-1:30pm. Fresh produce and fun

Golden Outpost, Golden- (Sunday) Country Market, 10am-3pm. Yeehaw

FESTIVALS

Olde Town, Arvada- Fourth Friday Festival, 5-8pm. Only a few remaining

Buchanan Field, Evergreen- (Saturday) Evergreen Fine Arts Festival (Day 1), 10am-5pm. Check it out

Buchanan Field, Evergreen- (Sunday) Evergreen Fine Arts Festival (Day 2), 10am-5pm. Check it out

FOOD & DRINK

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- (Thursday) Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch, 4-10pm. Beer & Cheez

Golden Mill, Golden- (Thursday) Upslope Pop Up Lemonade Stand, 5-8pm. Summertime vibe

Cheese Ranch Artisian Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Call ahead to reserve

Aspen Peak Cellars, Bailey- (Saturday) Barrel Room Tasting Experience, 12pm. Just a few tickets remain

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Sunday Bluegrass Brunch with Rusty Gears Band, 10am-1pm. Breakfast bluegrass

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- (Tuesday) Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Buffalo Rose, Golden- (Tuesday) Golden Beer Talks: Role of the Microbiome in Health, 6pm. Learn more

Maryland Mountain, Black Hawk- (Tuesday)Jeffco Mountain Bike Club weekly ride, 5:30pm. Info

Evergreen Lake House, Evergreen- (Wednesday) Patio Yoga & Wine, 5:30-7pm. Great combo

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- (Wednesday) ON Trail Shoe Demo, 4-8pm. Try before ya buy

Runner’s Roost, Golden- (Thursday) Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- (Thursday) Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

The Golden Mill, Golden- (Friday) Rooftop Yoga, 9:30-10:30am. Rain or Shine

Parfet Park, Golden- (Saturday) Yoga in the Park, 9-10am.

Hiwan Park, Evergreen- (Saturday) Outdoor Yoga with Free Range Yoga, 9-10am. Stretch it out

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Flow state

Resolute Brewing, Arvada- (Saturday) Tap & Cellar 5k race, 10am-1pm. Work for your beer

Alythe Active, Golden- (Saturday) Parent Run Club, 8:30-9:30am. With babysitting!

Golden Community Center, Golden- (Sunday) Baby Goat Yoga, 8-9am. Enjoy

Rise Yoga & Wellness, Golden- (Sunday) Flow on the Go Seasonal Series: A Sunday Morning in Nature, 7am. Start the day

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- (Monday) Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

LIVE MUSIC

The Golden Hotel, Golden- Wednesdays on the Creek Summer Music Series with Jordan Yewey, 5-8pm. Check it out

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- (Wednesday) Live Music with Chrispy, 4-8pm. Jam out

Buffalo Rose, Golden- (Wednesday) Country Line Dancing Night with Jeff Goodwin & the Front Range Cowboys, 7-11pm. Boot scootin’

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- (Thursday) Music by the Mesa: Space Monkey Mafia, 6-9pm. Horn driven rock

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- (Thursday) The Almighty Open Mic Night, 7pm. Impress your friends

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- (Friday) Summer Concert: Crystal Visions a Fleetwood Mac tribute, 7pm. Grab your spot

Barrels & Bottles, Golden- (Friday) Live music with Reuben Gonzales, 6-9pm. Patio jams

Buffalo Rose, Golden- (Friday) Fastball , 7pm. Rock Show

Goosetown Station, Golden- (Friday) The Good for Nothing Thunder Mountain Boys, 6:30-9:30pm. Thunderous Night

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- (Friday) Jackrabbit with Dermot & Kieren Mulroney, 8pm. Americana

Nelson Ranch, Evergreen- (Saturday) Boogie at the Ranch: Hazel Miller & The Collective in concert, 4:30-6:30pm.

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- (Saturday) Steve Knight & The Revolvers, 8pm. Woodcellar Debut

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- (Saturday) The Pik Me Ups, 6-9pm. Mountain Music

ARTS

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- (Tuesday) ART BAR: Moonrise Fused Glass, 6-8pm. Sign up

Golden Library, Golden- (Wednesday) Tween Scene: Emoji Painting, 4:15-5:15pm. Register here

Green Center, Golden- (Friday) Foothills Art Center UNFRAMED Gala, 6-9pm. Tickets

MISCELLANEOUS

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Trickster Tuesday: Family Friendly Magic Show, 7-9pm. Family fun

Floyd Hill Open Space, Evergreen- (Tuesday)Trail work day w/ Girls, Gears, and Beers, 4:30-7pm. Help out

Mad Macks Brewery, Golden- (Thursday) Comedy Show, 7pm. Punchline Party

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- (Thursday) Comedy Open Mic Night, 6-10pm. Test your skills

Evergreen Brewery, Evergreen- (Thursday) Open Aware: A Wild Aware Meet & Greet, 6-8pm. Protect wildlife

West Woods Golf Club, Arvada- (Friday) Greater Arvada Chamber Golf Tournament, 8am. Hit the links 

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- (Sunday) Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

Clear Creek Makers Space, Wheat Ridge- (Sunday) Lets Built a Picture Frame Class, 1pm. Cool Skill

Golden Game Guild, Golden- (Monday) Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

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See you around the next bend!