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:
Spring is around the corner. Water is still skinny but getting more ice free each day. The flow is 16 cfs now. The weather been warming up but the fishing has been steady. Small midges are the most consistent way to get fish right now.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - Mole Flies, Small Parachute Adams, and Nymph setups include Soft Hackle Sow Bugs, Perdigons, CDC Pheasant Tails, Mole Flies, Radiation Baetis, and Gray Sow Bugs have all been good.
Check Flow
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
Flows are very low but much of the river is ice free now.
Hot Flies:
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is mostly open. The water levels are continuing to drop but there is still plenty of cool, clear water. Nymphing has been very good.
Hot Flies: 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 thawing out nicely. The current flow is around 19 cfs. Most of the lower Big Thompson is now open but there is some shelf ice in areas. Midges are still the most productive flies to be using.
Hot Flies: BWO, Mole Fly, Bling Midge, Sparklewing Rs2, 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 is mostly ice free now and large numbers of fish are moving up out of the lake. Lake Estes has some open water but fishing is slow. Sow bugs, CDC Pheasant Tail, pink worm patterns, Perdigons, Mole Flies, No Mercy Midge and Rs2s will work well.
Rocky Mountain National Park:
The water in Rocky Mountain National Park is starting to thaw out in the lower elevations. Fishing is still slow but not impossible in Moraine park and Horseshoe park. The high country lake are all frozen.
Hot Flies: Midges and worm patterns in the small open pockets in the lower areas of the park are your only options at this point.
Fly of the Week: #22 Olive Mole Fly
