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 48 cfs now below the dam. Cooler nights and overcast afternoons have our rivers in perfect condition. So back to normal late summer/early fall conditions. Good caddis hatches. Ants and hoppers are also plentiful and are a good option as well. Stone fly and Caddis nymphs are very active sub surface.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - PMD, Yellow sallies, Terrestrials and Caddis patterns. Nymph setups include Rainbow Warrior, CDC Pheasant Tails, Hot Head Sow Bugs, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Hares Ears, Blue Poison Tung and Perdigons have all been good.
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
The flows are back down after the higher water last week. Fishing is the best it has been down on the property. Cooler weather this weekend should create great conditions. Chubby/emerger combos have been very good.
Hot Flies: Sow Bugs, Chubbys, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Tickets, Radiation Baetis, Hot Head Mini Leech, Blue Poison Tung and Mayhem Midge
Waterdale Ranch Private Fishing Trip(opens in new tab)
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is fishing great. Caddis hatches have been really strong the last few days. The flows have continued to be good. Temperatures in the Pumphouse to State Bridge area has been staying cool enough to fish most days. Get out and enjoy the summer.
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(opens in new tab)
Big Thompson below Drake:
The current flow is around 67 cfs. The flows have been great this week with the cooler weather. Nymph rigs are going to be the most productive. Hopper/dropper rigs with bigger nymphs are good 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 44 cfs and the river through the golf course is fishing well in the mornings. Afternoons at the inlet are definitely slower on the hotter days. Mary's Lake and Lake Estes have been slower the last few days.
Guided Lake Estes Fishing Trips(opens in new tab)
Rocky Mountain National Park:
Fishing in the park is at its peak now with many good hatches and tons of terrestrial action. The water and the temperature are dropping but the fishing is still great. The flow in Moraine Park on the Big Thompson is 16 cfs. The alpine lakes are fishing great. Enjoy the high country and keep cool this week.
Hot Flies: Double downs, Red Quills, Purple Haze, Green Drakes, 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 Garcia Mini Hot Mayfly Black (Updated 8/27/26)
