Big Thompson River
Recent Guide Reports
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- Parachute Adams
- Hopper
- RS-2
- Woolly Bugger
- BWO
- Parachute BWO
- Pheasant Tail
- Chubby Chernoble
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Hare's Ear
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Aug 17
Estes Angler
Big Thompson - Canyon
Big Thompson Canyon
Updated 8/17/26 The flows into Lake Estes are currently 50 cfs. Flows out of Lake Estes are running at 60 cfs. Even with diminished flows into and out of Olympus Dam, Fishing continues to be very good from the tail water down through the Big Thompson canyon. Stonefly Nymphing patterns try Patts rubberleg, Hares ears, CDC Pheasant tails, Copper Ribbed RS2, Blue poison tungs, perdigons .Hopper dropper pattern are also working very well with the hot days bug activity is increasing. Try Chubby Chernobyls Hippie Stompers, Yeager 409 type patterns to Mayfly nymphs, pheasant tails, Hares ears, CDC Pheasant tails. Double dry Patterns can also work well. Dries patterns try small Elk hair caddis patterns, BWOs, Mole flies, Yellow Sallies, PMD, Parachute Adams, Smaller dry flies 20 to size 26 behind a bigger dry fly seemed to work on short, high sticked drifts behind rocks and slower seams in the tailwater. Deep and slower moving waters down in the canyon try wooly bugger and streamer patterns in Blk, Olive and Thin Mints can also produce nice trout.
Big Thompson Canyon
Updated 8/17/26 The flows into Lake Estes are currently 50 cfs. Flows out of Lake Estes are running at 60 cfs. Even with diminished flows into and out of Olympus Dam, Fishing continues to be very good from the tail water down through the Big Thompson canyon. Stonefly Nymphing patterns try Patts rubberleg, Hares ears, CDC Pheasant tails, Copper Ribbed RS2, Blue poison tungs, perdigons .Hopper dropper pattern are also working very well with the hot days bug activity is increasing. Try Chubby Chernobyls Hippie Stompers, Yeager 409 type patterns to Mayfly nymphs, pheasant tails, Hares ears, CDC Pheasant tails. Double dry Patterns can also work well. Dries patterns try small Elk hair caddis patterns, BWOs, Mole flies, Yellow Sallies, PMD, Parachute Adams, Smaller dry flies 20 to size 26 behind a bigger dry fly seemed to work on short, high sticked drifts behind rocks and slower seams in the tailwater. Deep and slower moving waters down in the canyon try wooly bugger and streamer patterns in Blk, Olive and Thin Mints can also produce nice trout.