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.
Upper Big Thompson:
The flow is 90 cfs now below the dam. Good Yellow Sallies, PMD and caddis hatches are happening most days. Ants and hoppers are also plentiful and are a good option as well. Stone fly and Caddis nymphs are very active sub surface.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - PMD, Yellow sallies, Terrestrials and Caddis patterns. Nymph setups include Rainbow Warrior, CDC Pheasant Tails, Hot Head Sow Bugs, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Hares Ears, Blue Poison Tung and Perdigons have all been good.
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
The flows are perfect and the fishing is very consistent . The fishing is stellar right now throughout the property. Afternoons on the lower part of the property can be a little warm some days. Chubby/emerger combos have been very good.
Hot Flies: Sow Bugs, Chubbys, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Tickets, Radiation Baetis, Hot Head Mini Leech, Blue Poison Tung and Mayhem Midge
Waterdale Ranch Private Fishing Trip
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is fishing great. Caddis hatches have been really strong the last few days. The flows have come up even more with larger releases from the Blue River. Temperatures in the Pumphouse to State Bridge area has been staying cool enough to fish most days. Get out and enjoy the summer.
Hot Flies: PMD, Dungeons, Thin Mints, Wooly Buggers, Tickets, Hares Ears, Blue Poison Tungs, Sparklewing Rs2, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber legs and Juju Baetis are all good options.
Guided Colorado River Fly Fishing Trips
Big Thompson below Drake:
The current flow is around 103 cfs. The flows are getting lower each day. The fishing has been really good in the mornings. Nymph rigs are going to be the most productive. Hopper/dropper rigs with bigger nymphs are good as well. Caddis and Stonefly nymphs are all over the place.
Hot Flies: BWO, Blue Poison Tung, Mole Flies, Pheasant Tail w/CDC, No Mercy Midge, Juju Bees, Grey Sparklewing Rs2, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Mayhem Midge and Hares Ears all being good choices.
Mary’s Lake and Lake Estes:
The flow into Lake Estes is 88 cfs and the river through the golf course is fishing well in the mornings still even with the drop in water levels. Mary's Lake and Lake Estes have had pretty steady action the last couple weeks.
Guided Lake Estes Fishing Trips
Rocky Mountain National Park:
Fishing in the park is at its peak now with many good hatches and tons of terrestrial action. The flow in Moraine Park on the Big Thompson is 37 cfs. The alpine lakes are fishing great already, many of the cutthroat have already finished spawning and are back on feed.
Hot Flies: Double downs, Red Quills, Purple Haze, Green Drakes, Pats Rubber legs, Hares Ears, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Mole Flies, Mighty Mites, Egg patterns, pheasant tails and worm patterns are working well.
Fly of the Week: #18 Red Quill(Updated 7/19/26)
