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 has been fishing well. The flows have been dropping as we are approaching fall. The flow is 46 cfs now. The weather has been warm and sunny and fishing has beengood. Terrestrials (ants, hoppers) are still productive, but small midges are the most consistent way to get fish right now.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - Chubbies, Mole Flies, Small Parachute Adams, and Ant patterns are most productive. Nymph setups include Soft Hackle Sow Bugs, CDC Pheasant Tails, Mole Flies, Pats Rubber Legs and Gray Sow Bugs have all been good.
Check Flow
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
Flows here have been getting really good. Fishing is excellent. Big fish are regularly being caught. The waterfall still holds large numbers of fish. But fishing on the lower part of the property has been solid for those who like to wander a bit more.
Hot Flies: Pats Rubberlegs, Chubbies, Green Tickets, Thinmints, RS2s, CDC Pheasant Tails, Sow Bugs, Mole Flies, Taboo Caddis, Blue Poison Tungs and Baetis have all been effective.
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is fishing great. Fish are active through the day. The water levels are dropping but there is still plenty of cool, clear water. Nymphing has been very good. Streamers have been productive as well.
Hot Flies: Pats Rubber Legs, Chubby Cherynobles, Purple Haze, Bunny Leeches, Sow Bugs, Squirmy Worms, Baetis nymphs, Blue Poison Tungs, Sparklewing Rs2, Copper Ribbed Rs2 and Juju Baetis are all good options.
Big Thompson below Drake:
Below Drake has been fishing very well. The current flow is around 67 cfs. Fishing has really been good. Hopper/dropper rigs have been productive as well as ant patterns. Midge and BWO hatches are starting to be the main surface activity most days.
Hot Flies: Deer hair Ant, BWO, Cupboard Ant, Mole Fly, Bling Midge, Sparklewing Rs2, Pats Rubberlegs, Thin mints, Copper Ribbed Rs2 and Hares Ears all being good choices.
Check Flow
Mary’s Lake and Lake Estes:
Mary's Lake is fishing well. Where the water comes into Lake Estes there are a lot of fish. The flow coming into Lake Estes is 37 cfs. Lake Estes itself is fishing well. Pats Rubber Legs, sow bugs, CDC Pheasant Tail, pink worm patterns, Perdigons, Mole Flies, Mo Mercy Midge and Rs2s will work well.
Rocky Mountain National Park:
The flows in Rocky Mountain National Park are starting to get pretty skinny. The high country still has a few good weeks left in it. Moraine Park, Fall River, N St Vrain and Glacier Creek are fishing well. There is good action starting mid morning. Mayflies, midges, drakes and ants are producing good activity.
Hot Flies: Small Parachute Adams, Red Double Downs, Mighty Mites, Red Two Bit Hookers, and Quasimodo Pheasant Tails are good options but so are San Juan Worms and Egg patterns.
Fly of the Week: #16 Red Two Bit Hooker
