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 great. The canyon has settled into it's summer flows. The flow is 124 cfs now. The weather has been warm and sunny and fishing has been great. Terrestrials (ants, hoppers) have been super productive. Especially with a dropper behind it.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - Stoneflies, Caddis, Ants, PMD and BWO patterns are most productive. Nymph setups include Soft Hackle Sow Bugs, Green Tickets, CDC Pheasant Tails, Blue Poison Tungs, Pats Rubber Legs and Gray Sow Bugs have all been productive.
Check Flow
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
Flows here have been getting really good. Fishing has really turned on the last several days. Big fish are regularly getting caught. The waterfall still holds large numbers of fish. But fishing on the lower part of the property has been excellent as of late.
Hot Flies: Pats Rubberlegs, Green Tickets, Thinmints, 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 especially early mornings. Summer conditions are starting with fish looking up more. Indicator fishing as well as streamers are both productive.
Hot Flies: Pats Rubber Legs, Salmon Flies, Bunny Leeches, Sow Bugs, Squirmy Worms, Blue Poison Tungs, Copper Ribbed Rs2 and Juju Baetis are all good options.
Big Thompson below Drake:
Below Drake has cleared up now. The current flow is around 148 cfs. Fishing has really been good. PMD's are doing good as are Pheasant Tails and Pats Rubber Legs. Hopper/dropper rigs have been productive as well as ant patterns. Hatches are becoming common most days with PMD's, Yellow Sallies, mayflies and caddis.
Hot Flies: PMD emergers, small Parachute Adams, BWO, PMD Parachutes, Mole Fly, Bling Midge, 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 148 cfs. Lake Estes itself is fishing well. Pats Rubber Legs, sow bugs, pink worm patterns, Blow Torch and Rs2s will work well.
Rocky Mountain National Park:
The flows in Rocky Mountain National Park have dropped down to summer flows. All of the high mountain lakes are open now. Moraine Park, Fall River, N St Vrain and Glacier Creek are fishing great. There is good action throughout the day. Mayflies, hoppers and ants are producing good activity.
Hot Flies: Red Quills, PMDs, Small Parachute Adams, Red Double Downs, Mighty Mights, 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 Deer Hair Ant
