Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Gore Creek (Colorado)
The Gore Creek in Colorado is primarily a wade fishery. It is a freestone fishery for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, with the most reliable window in May, June, July. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
This is not a live report of other anglers' catches. Presence and flow live on the Gore Creek river page and the Colorado destination guide.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Gore Creek hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midge (Chironomidae) | #16-24 | Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat |
| February | Midge (Chironomidae) | #16-24 | Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat |
| March | Midge (Chironomidae) | #16-24 | Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat |
| Blue-Winged Olive | #16-24 | Parachute BWO, CDC Comparadun | |
| April | Blue-Winged Olive | #16-24 | Parachute BWO, CDC Comparadun |
| Midge (Chironomidae) | #16-24 | Zebra Midge | |
| May | Caddis (Trichoptera) | #10-20 | Elk Hair Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger |
| Blue-Winged Olive | #16-24 | Parachute BWO | |
| Ant Patterns (terrestrial) | #14-18 | Fur Ant, Foam Ant | |
| June | Pale Morning Dun | #14-20 | Parachute PMD, PMD Comparadun |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #10-20 | Elk Hair Caddis | |
| Golden Stone | #8-14 | Golden Stone Adult, Rubberleg Stimulator | |
| Yellow Sally Stonefly | #12-18 | Yellow Sally Adult | |
| Hoppers (terrestrial) | #8-16 | Dave's Hopper | |
| July | Pale Morning Dun | #14-20 | Parachute PMD, PMD Comparadun |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #10-20 | Elk Hair Caddis | |
| Golden Stone | #8-14 | Golden Stone Adult, Rubberleg Stimulator | |
| Yellow Sally Stonefly | #12-18 | Yellow Sally Adult | |
| Hoppers, Beetles, Ants (terrestrial) | #8-16 | Dave's Hopper, Foam Beetle, Fur Ant | |
| August | Pale Morning Dun | #14-20 | Parachute PMD, PMD Comparadun |
| Caddis (Trichoptera) | #10-20 | Elk Hair Caddis | |
| Hoppers, Beetles, Flying Ants (terrestrial) | #8-16 | Dave's Hopper, Foam Beetle, Flying Ant | |
| September | Caddis (Trichoptera) | #10-20 | Elk Hair Caddis |
| Blue-Winged Olive | #16-24 | Parachute BWO | |
| Flying Ants (terrestrial) | #14-18 | Flying Ant | |
| Pale Morning Dun | #14-20 | Parachute PMD | |
| October | Caddis (Trichoptera) | #10-20 | Elk Hair Caddis |
| Blue-Winged Olive | #16-24 | Parachute BWO | |
| November | Blue-Winged Olive | #16-24 | Parachute BWO |
| Midge (Chironomidae) | #16-24 | Zebra Midge | |
| December | Midge (Chironomidae) | #16-24 | Zebra Midge, Griffith's Gnat |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Gore Creek. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Gore Creek?
- Start with Griffith's Gnat and Zebra Midge, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Gore Creek does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Gore Creek?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Gore Creek?
- Colorado has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Gore Creek?
- Open the Gore Creek river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Gore Creek?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
River guide
Gore Creek
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Destination
Colorado
Trip planning for this region.
Pattern
Griffith's Gnat
Dry
Pattern
Zebra Midge
Midge
Pattern
Comparadun
Dry
Fly shop
Blue Quill Angler
1532 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439
Fly shop
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters
Steamboat Springs, CO
Nearby water
Animas River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Arkansas River (Colorado)
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Blue River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Cache La Poudre River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.