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 122 cfs now. The forecast is for more precipitation this week so water levels should rise. We can finally start using those bigger bugs! Good BWO and caddis hatches are happening most days. Stone fly and Caddis nymphs are very active sub surface.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - BWO and Small Parachute Adams. Nymph setups include Rainbow Warrior, CDC Pheasant Tails, Sow Bugs, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Tickets, Radiation Baetis, Sparklewing Rs2, Blue Poison Tung and Mayhem Midge have all been good.
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
The flows have come up and is good right now. 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. Caddis hatches have been really strong the last few days. The flows have dropped and are pretty low right now. Fishing is still great though. Get out and enjoy a spectacular spring.
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 149 cfs. The flows have come back up some with the snow last week. 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. 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 235 cfs and the river through the golf course is fishing well with the new influx of water. The weather forecast for the week is for more snow and rain so the river should continue to rise. Lake Estes near the power plant has been fishing well this week still. 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 might be a little slower early this week with the colder weather and snow. Rivers are fishing decent on the warmer days and in the afternoons. The flow in Moraine Park on the Big Thompson is 131 cfs. Most of the alpine lakes have open water.
Hot Flies: Double downs, 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 BH Hares Ears (Updated 5/17/26)
