Estes Park & Big Thompson River Fishing Report

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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 well. There have been major changes in the last week. The flow is around 400 cfs now. A large bit of snow fell the last few days so access is a little bit of a challenge but fishing is really picking up. BWO and midge hatches are common and because of the higher flows spring patterns are starting to work.

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 not as high as up near Estes but are still much higher than before. 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, CDC Pheasant Tails, Sow Bugs, Mole Flies, Taboo Caddis, Blue Poison Tungs and Baetis have all been effective.


Colorado River:

The Colorado River has started to break up some. The fish are active through the midday time period. The warmer weather has the flows starting to rise some. There is more open water each day.

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 higher flows as well. The current flow is in the low 400's. Fishing is starting to pickup especially along the edges. Streamers and Sow bugs are doing well.

Hot Flies: Sow bugs, small Parachute Adams, BWO, Mole Fly, Bling Midge, Blue LED Midge, 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 some fish up in the inlet of Lake Estes. The flow coming into Lake Estes is 20 cfs. Lake Estes itself is mostly frozen. 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 down to a trickle in Moraine and Horseshoe Park. The high mountain lakes are iced up now. Moraine Park, Fall River, N St Vrain and Glacier Creek are all mostly iced up as well. Very little water is fishable at this point.

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: #18 Sow Chow

 

Woman holds rainbow trout while standing in a tea stained river and fly fishing in Colorado