Fishing Season: All year

Big Thompson - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

45

Sunrise Anglers's Tip of the Week

Midges, move slow but deliberate Watch for olives mixing in around 10:00 am The river is returning to winter conditions

Directions open in app

Map of Big Thompson

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Sunrise Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 10/28/25

midges, Baetis Adams tunnel update :: around 50 +- cfs ,, Denver Water still sucking the Colorado dry!

Techniques & Tips as of 10/28/25

Double dry,,, long leaders On larger slicks Nymphing with indicators

Local Species Available All year

  • Fish Icon

    Brown

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow

  • Fish Icon

    Cutthroat Trout

Sunrise Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
RS2 Dark 18
Blue Wing Olive Parachute Gray 18
Cartoon Hopper Black 14
Cripple Dun BWO Dark 14
Bighorn Midge Cream 18
Ant Black 14
Flashback Baetis Nymph Dark 18
I Can See It Midge Fly Gray 18
Sunk Spinner Rust 14, 16, 18
Streamer Black 6

RS2

A must have emerger fly pattern for any trout fisherman.

2.49

Item #067T

Buy Now

Sunrise Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Big Thompson

The Big Thompson River flows out of the Rocky Mountain National Park and empties into Lake Estes. This short impoundment gives the Thompson a hybrid freestone/tailwater feel. The half mile section below the dam is strickly tailwater with midges and beatis the predominant hatch. As you head down stream(east) towards Loveland, the insect populations diversify with great Caddis, Stonefly, and even Tricos in the slower sections flowing through Loveland. Other hatches include PMD's, Green Drake, and some of the largest Red Quills I have ever witnesed. Of course banging terrestrials starting in the high months of July/August can be very productive. The Big Thompson River has some reproduction for rainbows and certainly the browns have taken hold nicely. Some of the best fishing occurs in early Spring and late Fall, as the numbers of anglers deminish also. Please call Sunrise Anglers LLC if needing more information and tips.

Nearest Airport:

Denver International Airport (DIA)

Hatches:

Below Lake Estes: midges, baetis, caddis, stones, PMD’s,Drake

Best Time to Fish:

sunrise

Best Stretch:

Tailrace below Estes Dam has the most fish,,,, CROWDED most of the time

Best Access:

Lake Estes down to Drake