Big Thompson River

Winter has its grip on the Big Thompson. With morning temperatures sitting well below freezing, you will notice lots of ice throughout the canyon and even below the damn on the Thompson. While temps have been dropping, With the warmer days to come over the weekend, we may see some open water throughout the canyon. Getting out on the water early can still be very productive as well, however, make sure you have your small midge patterns like a #18-22 Zebra Midge, or a #18-20 Poison Tung, as small imitative patterns for lethargic fish early in the mornings. Patterns like a Pheasant tail #18-22 , Copper John #18-22, or Hares Ear #18-22 do a great job and mimicking the Blue Wing Olive nymphs, so do not be afraid to stick with the classics. If fish are not committing to your more generic patterns, a #18-20 Juju Baetis or a #18-20 Mayhem are great patterns for picky fish in clear water. Keep your eyes peeled when walking through the water. With low flows and clear conditions, fish are incredibly sensitive to their environment. Stealthy approaches and longer casts are going to help you trick fish into eating. We are now in the time of year where smaller leader and tippet diameters are a must. Having both 5 and 6x tippets and leaders will help increase your opportunity for success! When the sun hits the water temperatures can change quick allowing the bugs to emerge. Fishing a #18-20 Sparkle Wing Rs2 or #18-22 Copper Rib Rs2 are great flies to fish the middle of the water column or behind an adult dry fly to target fish looking for emerging insects. Keep you eyes locked on your dry flies, as takes during this time of year can be very delicate, and often times are hard to detect. Have fun out there and enjoy some fishing for us!

Dries: Ext. Body BWO #18-22, Film Critic BWO#18-22, Adams#16-24, Eric's Hi-vis Midge #20-22, Klinkhammer Midge #20-22, CDC Baetis Dun #18-22, Black Biot Midge #20-22, Sprout Midge #18-22, Para Winger BWO #18-20, CDC Thorax BWO #16-18, Rocky Mountain Mint #16-18

Nymphs:: Pheasant Tail #18-22, Copper John #18-22, Flashback Scud Olv. #18-20, Sparkle Wing Rs2 #18-22, Jig Baetis #18-20, Brassie #18-22, Bling Midge #20-24, WD-40 #18-22, Splitback Shady BWO#16-18, Two Bit Hooker #16-#18, Copper Rib RS2 #18-22

Streamers:: Thin Mint #8-12, Beldar Bugger #8, Sparkle Minnow #8, Hot Head Leech #10, Black Wooly Bugger #10, Mini Peanut Envy, Cousin It Sculpin, Baby Swim Coach, Mini Peanut Envy #6.

To Book your Guided Trip please contact the shop at (970)498-8968. Come Fly Fish Rocky Mountain National Park!

Winter has its grip on the Big Thompson. With morning temperatures sitting well below freezing, you will notice lots of ice throughout the canyon and even below the damn on the Thompson. While temps have been dropping, the Big Thompson has still seen some great Blue winged olive fishing currently and that will continue for the next couple of weeks. With the warmer days to come over the weekend, we may see some open water throughout the canyon. Getting out on the water early can still be very productive as well, however, make sure you have your small midge patterns like a #18-22 Zebra Midge, or a #18-20 Poison Tung, as small imitative patterns for lethargic fish early in the mornings. Patterns like a Pheasant tail #18-22 , Copper John #18-22, or Hares Ear #18-22 do a great job and mimicking the Blue Wing Olive nymphs, so do not be afraid to stick with the classics. If fish are not committing to your more generic patterns, a #18-20 Juju Baetis or a #18-20 Mayhem are great patterns for picky fish in clear water. Keep your eyes peeled when walking through the water. With low flows and clear conditions, fish are incredibly sensitive to their environment. Stealthy approaches and longer casts are going to help you trick fish into eating. We are now in the time of year where smaller leader and tippet diameters are a must. Having both 5 and 6x tippets and leaders will help increase your opportunity for success! When the sun hits the water temperatures can change quick allowing the bugs to emerge. Fishing a #18-20 Sparkle Wing Rs2 or #18-22 Copper Rib Rs2 are great flies to fish the middle of the water column or behind an adult dry fly to target fish looking for emerging insects. Keep you eyes locked on your dry flies, as takes during this time of year can be very delicate, and often times are hard to detect. Have fun out there and enjoy some fishing for us!

Dries: Ext. Body BWO #18-22, Film Critic BWO#18-22, Adams#16-24, Eric's Hi-vis Midge #20-22, Klinkhammer Midge #20-22, CDC Baetis Dun #18-22, Black Biot Midge #20-22, Sprout Midge #18-22, Para Winger BWO #18-20, CDC Thorax BWO #16-18, Rocky Mountain Mint #16-18

Nymphs:: Pheasant Tail #18-22, Copper John #18-22, Flashback Scud Olv. #18-20, Sparkle Wing Rs2 #18-22, Jig Baetis #18-20, Brassie #18-22, Bling Midge #20-24, WD-40 #18-22, Splitback Shady BWO#16-18, Two Bit Hooker #16-#18, Copper Rib RS2 #18-22

Streamers:: Thin Mint #8-12, Beldar Bugger #8, Sparkle Minnow #8, Hot Head Leech #10, Black Wooly Bugger #10, Mini Peanut Envy, Cousin It Sculpin, Baby Swim Coach, Mini Peanut Envy #6.

To Book your Guided Trip please contact the shop at (970)498-8968. Come Fly Fish Rocky Mountain National Park!

Big Thompson - RMNP
Updated 11/14/2022. The Park is now mostly frozen. Next update will be next Spring.

Big Thompson - Canyon
Updated 11/14/2022. The flows into Lake Estes are currently 22cfs and outflow is about the same. Lake Estes has been lowered for maintenance and will stay low until mid December. This is the last report until next Spring.