Big Thompson River

We hope everyone has had some time to gear up for fall fishing as it is approaching quickly. You can certainly feel it in the morning and the evenings. Flows have started to drop in the Big Thompson Canyon but the fishing remains good. Fishing low flows during the summer can be stressful on fish but as the weather cools down the water will remain cool enough to allow fish to focus on feeding. With that being said, you will want to focus your flies in as many different water types as possible. In front and behind rocks, foam lines, up against banks, and riffles. During this time you will find fish sipping PMD's and Caddis off the surface as well as eating smaller nymph emerger's like RS2's and Juju emergers trailed behind. We've even been seeing more consistent BWO hatches during the mornings when the weather is nice and cool. This will continue on for a good portion of the morning but as the days begin to warm up switching to a dry-dropper will cover your bases. Afternoons will slowly begin to get cooler but if it gets really hot think about searching out either the faster, ripply water where fish are looking for oxygen or the slow deep pools where the water is cooler. During the middle of the day continue with dry dropper rigs until you find the proper combo. One of our go to rigs lately has been a #14 or #16 Chubby Chernobyl up top with a #16 or #18 Two Bit Hooker in Red or Purple hanging below. Leeches below hoppers will clean house as well so don't be afraid to put on a hot head leech and just let it dead drift. Fishing right below the dam will start to become more technical so focusing on the nymph rigs with RS2s and Juju Baetis will pay off. Have some scuds and annelids as well for this stretch of the river. If the fish start to move to deeper water you may have to throw together a nymph rig but the fish are continuing to focus on the surface. Have at it before it is too late. If you do run into any questions please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Dries: Ext. Body BWO #14-18, Film Critic BWO/PMD #16-20, Adams#14-18, Para-Winger PMD #16-20, PMX #14-16, Chubby Chernobyl #14-16, Baby Boy Hopper #16, Chew Toy #14-16, E/C Caddis #16-18, Headlight Caddis #14-16, Rocky Mountain Mint #16-18, Mole Fly #16-18, Morrish Hopper Purple #14.

Nymphs:: Prince Nymph #14-18, Copper John #14-20, The Ticket #14-18, Micro Girdle Bug #18, Jig Baetis #18-20, Spanish Bullet #16-18, Rainbow Warrior #14-16, Splitback Shady BWO/PMD #14-18, Z-Wing Caddis #16, Two Bit Hooker #16-#18, Copper Rib RS2 #18-22

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

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