Altitude: 6,000 ft
Filed Under: Fishing
South Boulder Creek has two distinct areas. You are either above or below Gross Reservoir Dam. This section below the dam has a combination of rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout with rainbow trout being the dominant the first mile or so below the dam. Through Eldorado Canyon and out towards the plains holds mostly brown trout in it's pools. The area just below the dam is stocked (I think) on a regular basis. The fishing is great, but it could be better if the Denver Water District had more controlled flows below the dam throughout the year. At times this section of South Boulder Crekk has experienced a fish kill due to the fact that the Denver Water District does not maintain enough water in the creek in the winter. It has been known to freeze solid in places.
With that said, there are plenty of stocked rainbows (ranging 10 - 14 inches) in the area. On and overcast day during a hatch, you can catch fish in this creek until you are tired of netting them.
In July and August (when the flows are good) you can find many flies that will work, and dry fly fishing is particularly fun when they are hitting. It is not uncommon to catch 5-6 in one hole.
There are two major fishing access points to this section of the river. One is up in the mountains near Walker Ranch and the other is at the edge of the plains in Eldorado Canyon State Park.
To get to the Walker Ranch access, take Baseline west towards Flagstaff Mountain. Just after Chataugua Park you will see a large wooden sign for Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Start your odometer here and drive up Flagstaff for approximately 8 miles. You will pass the Walker Ranch Trailhead on the way. Take a left on a gravel road at the sign marked Gross reservoir. Pass Gross Reservoir and drive approximately 2 miles. You will start to go down into the canyon. The parking lot for the access will be on your left. If you get to the creek at the bottom of the hill, you have gone about 1/4 mile too far. From here hike down to the creek.
To get to the Eldorado Canyon access, drive to Eldorado Canyon State Park which is located at the end of Eldorado Springs Drive (Hwy. 170) in the town of Eldorado Springs. There is a $6 fee to enter the park unless you have a Colorado State Parks Pass. However, if you don't have a pass, the fee is worth every penny as there is also some world class climbing and kayaking here.
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