Our Estes Park fishing report gives you the most up-to-date fishing information on the local area and Big Thompson River. Check in here before going fly fishing in Estes Park so that you know where to go, what to use, and how to make the most of your time on the water.
Big Thompson Below the Dam:
The Big Thompson is fishing great. The water has started to rise some with the warm weather. The flow is 90 cfs now. It is not runoff time quite yet but we are getting closer. The weather currently is great and fishing has been very good. BWO and midge hatches are common. Still to using small midges but there are some bigger nymphs starting to move around as well.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - Mole Flys and BWO patterns. Nymph setups include Soft Hackle Sow Bugs, Juju Baetis, Radiation Baetis, Blue Poison Tungs, Foam Wing Rs2s and Cream LED midges have all been productive.
Check Flow
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
Flows here are low and clear down there. The fish are starting to spread throughout the property but the upper area near the waterfall still holds large numbers of fish.
Hot Flies: Foam Wing Rs2s, Thinmints, CDC Pheasant Tails, Sow Bugs, Mole Flies, Taboo Caddis, Blue Poison Tungs and Baetis have all been effective.
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is free flowing now and the fish are active through the day. The warmer weather has the flows starting to rise. Great pre-runoff conditions.
Hot Flies: Mole Fly, Sow Bugs, Blow Torch, Blue Poison Tungs, Copper Ribbed Rs2 and Juju Baetis are all good options as well as streamer patterns.
Big Thompson below Drake:
Below Drake has been off color some. The current flow is around 130 cfs. Fishing is starting to pickup dry fly action is getting more consistent. Streamers and Sow bugs are doing well too.
Hot Flies: Sow bugs, small Parachute Adams, BWO, Mole Fly, Bling Midge, Blue LED Midge, Thin mints, Copper Ribbed Rs2 and Hares Ears all being good choices.
Check Flow
Mary’s Lake and Lake Estes:
Mary's Lake water has been brought back to normal levels and is fishing decent. There are a lot of fish up in the inlet of Lake Estes. The flow coming into Lake Estes is 36 cfs. Lake Estes itself is completely open now. Stuck in Shuck Midges, sow bugs, pink worm patterns, and Rs2s will work well.
Rocky Mountain National Park:
The flows in Rocky Mountain National Park are starting pick up in Moraine and Horseshoe Park. The high mountain lakes are still mostly iced up. Moraine Park, Fall River, N St Vrain and Glacier Creek are opening up and are fishable in the lower elevations. There is decent action mid day and will only improve from this point forward.
Hot Flies: Small Parachute Adams, Rs2 patterns and Mole flies are options but so are San Juan Worms and Egg patterns.
Fly of the Week: #20 Blue Poison Tung
