Colorado Fishing Reports ยท South Platte Basin
Middle Boulder Creek runs through Nederland above Barker Reservoir. It is small brook trout water that locks up early in the fall.
Looking for the latest Above Barker Reservoir river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Boulder Creek โ Above Barker Reservoir.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Above Barker Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
At about 8,200 ft the creek is very low and cold, with shelf ice forming. A few brook trout hold in the deepest pools around midday.
Small attractors and midges can still find a fish on a sunny afternoon, but this is best saved for summer.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Above Barker Reservoir, bring: Parachute Adams #16-20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Zebra Midge #18-20, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Above Barker Reservoir river details
| Access | Public through Nederland and on national forest land upstream. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,200 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 61 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer |
| Fish | Brook and brown trout, with some cutthroat |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 7.5 to 9 ft leaders, 5X tippet |
| Camping | National forest sites toward Eldora (seasonal) |
| Kids | Yes. Small water in an easy town setting. |
| Good to know | Nederland is cold, and the creek freezes early. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Frozen.
Spring
Late runoff.
Summer
The best season, with eager brook trout.
Fall
A short window before ice.
How to get there
The creek runs through Nederland along Highway 119.