Big Thompson River

Big Thompson - RMNP
Updated 9/8/25 The flows of the Big Thompson currently running through Moraine park are at 15 cfs. Morning patterns when the water is cooler try dry dropper patterns with Nymphs, Squirmy worms/small chenille worms in pink and purple. Small pheasant tails, Rainbow warrior, Zebra midge, Sparkle wing RS2, Copper ribbed RS2, Hares ears, Juju baetis. Afternoon when the water warms and hatch activity starts to increase, Dry flies rule the day.Try Parachute Adams, Parachute Hot Mayfly Garcia, Adams, blue wing olive mayflies, PMD, Yellow Sallies, Foam Putterbough caddis in tan, Elk/Deer hair caddis, X Caddis, Royal wulff, Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie stompers, Ants and Beetle patterns have all been working throughout the afternoon into the evenings.
Special Note: In preparation for the Elk rut Moraine Park has posted closure signs for that area from 5:00 pm till 10:00 am for foot traffic in the lower Moraine meadow. Please check with the park personnel for more detailed information.

Big Thompson - RMNP
Updated 9/1/25 The flows of the Big Thompson currently running through Moraine park are at 19 cfs. Morning patterns when the water is cooler try dry dropper patterns with Nymphs, Squirmy worms/small chenille worms in pink and purple. Small pheasant tails, Rainbow warrior, Zebra midge, Sparkle wing RS2, Copper ribbed RS2, Hares ears, Juju baetis. Afternoon when the water warms and hatch activity starts to increase, Dry flies rule the day.Try Parachute Adams, Adams, blue wing olive mayflies, PMD, Yellow Sallies, Foam Putterbough caddis in tan, Elk/Deer hair caddis, X Caddis, Royal wulff, Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie stompers, Ants and Beetle patterns have all been working throughout the afternoon into the evenings.
Special Note: In preparation for the Elk rut Moraine Park has posted closure signs for that area from 5:00 pm till 10:00 am for foot traffic in the lower Moraine meadow. Please check with the park personnel for more detailed information.

Big Thompson - Canyon
Updated 8/25/25 The flows into Lake Estes are currently 52 cfs. Flows out of Lake Estes are running at 64 cfs. Fishing continues to be very good from the tail water down through the Big Thompson canyon. Nymphing pattern try Patts rubberleg, pheasant tails, Sparkle wing and foam head RS2, Hares ears, midge patterns Olive tickets Zebra and Blue Poison tung, Hot head sow bugs, cdc pheasant tails. Dry dropper patterns, Chubby Chernobyls, Hippie Stompers, Stubby Chubby to midge, Mayfly and caddis nymphs will work well. Dry flies include Pmd, BWOs, Mole flies, Parachute Adams, Elk/Deer hair caddis, Parachute Hoppers, Ant and Beetle patterns. Deep and slower moving waters down in the canyon try wooly bugger and streamer patterns in Blk, Olive, Brown, can also produce nice trout.