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 54 cfs now. Flows have been steady this past week and should stay that way for a while. With warmer weather coming back on Monday this week should be excellent. Midge emergers are the most consistent producers on the river but good BWO hatches are happening most days. The conditions are perfect so get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - BWO and Small Parachute Adams. Nymph setups include Rainbow Warrior, CDC Pheasant Tails, Sow Bugs, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Mole flies, Radiation Baetis, Sparklewing Rs2, Blue Poison Tung and Mayhem Midge have all been good.
Check Flow
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
The flows have come up and the fish are spreading throughout the property. The best fishing here is still in the upper part of the property. The fishing is starting to pick up and will improve quite a bit more as the weather gets consistently warmer.
Hot Flies:
Waterdale Ranch Private Fishing Trip
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is fishing great. The flows have come up and are about a full month ahead of schedule. Get out and enjoy a spectacular spring.
Hot Flies: PMD, Dungeons, Thin Mints, Wooly Buggers, 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 72 cfs. The flows have come up and the bug life is good. The fishing has been really good the last couple weeks and should only get better. Nymph rigs are going to be the most productive but small dries are working mid day as well.
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.
Check Flow
Mary’s Lake and Lake Estes:
The flow into Lake Estes is 39 cfs and the river through the golf course is fishing well. The water should come back up with the warmer weather returning on Monday. Lake Estes near the power plant has been fishing excellent this week. Mary's Lake and Lake Estes have had pretty steady action the last couple weeks.
Guided Lake Estes Fishing Trips
Rocky Mountain National Park:
The water is open in the rivers below 8,500 ft. Fishing is really starting to pick up, especially on the warmer days and in the afternoons. The flow in Moraine Park on the Big Thompson is 19 cfs. Many of the alpine lakes have some open water at this time.
Hot Flies: Double downs, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Mole Flies, Mighty Mites, Egg patterns, pheasant tails and worm patterns are your best options for the last couple weeks before ice up.
Fly of the Week: #22 Olive Mole Fly (Updated 4/19/26)
