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Lower Fourmile Creek near Boulder Lower Section

River Explorer · Free guide

Lower Fourmile Creek near Boulder

Lower Section

Near Boulder, CO · South Platte River Basin

Fishing seasons: Spring, Summer

See the river in
Water type
Freestone
Water size
Small
Difficulty
Medium
Access
Easy
Fish numbers
Some
Fish size
Small

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Overview

Fishing the Lower Section of Four Mile Creek

A small brown trout creek near Boulder that's worth a short outing when there's enough depth and a manageable current

Four Mile Creek is part of the Boulder Creek watershed, and it's a small, often overlooked creek. The lower section follows Fourmile Canyon Drive down toward its meeting with Boulder Creek in the canyon near Orodell, and it holds a healthy population of brown trout. The catch is water. This is a freestone creek that struggles with consistent flows, so how it fishes on a given day depends a lot on how much water is coming down.

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When there's usable depth and the current is manageable, the browns in the lower reaches are eager. The creek makes a fun getaway that feels different from Boulder Creek, especially when the main canyon is crowded on weekends. As the flows get low, the same fish turn spooky and you need to bring your "A" game: a careful approach, short accurate casts and a drift that doesn't drag. The trout here run small and the numbers are moderate. The fishing rates as medium difficulty, mostly because of that low-water wariness.

Use Fourmile Canyon Drive for orientation. Homes and private parcels line the banks of the lower corridor. Once you've confirmed signed public parking and a lawful bank route, the best plan is a short outing during spring and summer, when there's usable depth with manageable current to give the browns some cover. Think of it as a quick stop near Boulder with dries and nymphs rather than a long day of wading.

Water typeFreestone

A freestone creek driven by snowmelt and rain, so flows rise and fall and depth decides how well it fishes.

Water sizeSmall

Small pocket water with short casts, quick drifts and only a few good holding spots in each stretch.

DifficultyMedium

Browns can be eager when the flows are up, but low, clear water makes them spooky and calls for a careful approach.

AccessEasy

Homes and private parcels limit legal water, so verify signed public parking and a lawful bank route before you fish.

Fish numbersSome

A healthy brown trout population, concentrated in the deeper pockets, especially as the creek drops.

Fish sizeSmall

Brown Trout The browns here run small, which suits light tackle and a quick outing.

Fit

Is Lower Four Mile Right for Your Day?

Who'll enjoy this pocket water and who'll be happier on bigger water nearby

This section fits when
  • A short, small-water brown trout stop near Boulder when the creek has depth.
  • A change of pace from Boulder Creek when the main canyon is crowded on weekends.
  • Practicing short, accurate casts and dry-dropper fishing in pocket water.
  • Spring and summer outings with a leashed dog, where posted rules allow it and you've confirmed legal access.

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Conditions

Fourmile Creek Flows and Weather at Orodell

Check flows and the forecast before you drive. Use a fresh Orodell reading when one is posted. Otherwise go by recent weather and check depth and current from a safe, lawful bank, since depth decides how this water fishes

Current streamflow is unavailable

Check the latest reading at the gauge before you head out.

Open the official gauge

USGS 06727500 is at Orodell on Fourmile Creek. Use only exact dated or current readings, when available.

Past Weather and the 7-Day Forecast

Lower Fourmile Creek near Orodell: section point forecast

Sun15Nov
Day
High52°
Sunny

Sunny

Precipitation chance0%
Night
Low37°
Mostly Clear

Mostly Clear

Precipitation chance0%
Avg. wind
3 mph ESE
Cloud cover
7%
Pressure
30.07 inHg
Mon16Nov
Day
High58°
Mostly Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Precipitation chance0%
Night
Low39°
Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Precipitation chance0%
Avg. wind
2 mph ESE
Cloud cover
50%
Pressure
30.02 inHg
Tue17Nov
Day
High58°
Mostly Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Precipitation chance2%
Night
Low41°
Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Precipitation chance7%
Avg. wind
3 mph SSE
Cloud cover
38%
Pressure
29.79 inHg
Wed18Nov
Day
High51°
Mostly Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Precipitation chance4%
Night
Low36°
Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Precipitation chance1%
Avg. wind
7 mph W
Cloud cover
24%
Pressure
29.9 inHg
Thu19Nov
Day
High50°
Mostly Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Precipitation chance1%
Night
Low37°
Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Precipitation chance11%
Avg. wind
2 mph E
Cloud cover
43%
Pressure
30.03 inHg
Fri20Nov
Day
High50°
Rain And Snow Showers Likely✳ ✳

Rain And Snow Showers Likely

Rain / snow chance61%
Night
Low35°
Rain And Snow Showers Likely✳ ✳

Rain And Snow Showers Likely

Rain / snow chance61%
Avg. wind
3 mph W
Cloud cover
53%
Pressure
29.88 inHg
Sat21Nov
Day
High43°
Chance Snow Showers✳ ✳

Chance Snow Showers

Snow chance30%
Night
Low32°
—

Precipitation chance—
Avg. wind
3 mph W
Cloud cover
45%
Pressure
30.15 inHg
Weather sources

National Weather Service · Boulder Municipal Airport. Wind and cloud averages use 8am–6pm local time. Forecast pressure: MET Norway, averaged daytime sea-level pressure in inches of mercury (CC BY 4.0). Past station reports do not include forecast rain chances or exact cloud percentages; a dash means unavailable.

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Gallery

Lower Four Mile Creek Photos

A look at the canyon pocket water and the size of the creek you'll be fishing

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